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It was anything but pretty, and downright scary at times, but coach Billy Napier and Louisiana-Lafayette ultimately got the best of Appalachian State.
The 20th Louisiana-Lafayette overcame three shots that sailed over the punter’s head and another bad on an extra point to beat rival Sun Belt 24-21 for the first time on a cold and rainy Friday night when Chandler Mountaineers’ Staton missed a 30-yard field goal with 2 seconds left.
Running back Trey Ragas scored three touchdowns, and Levi Lewis threw for 101 yards and one touchdown and ran for 77 yards to help the Ragin ‘Cajuns (9-1, 7-1 Sun Belt) beat Appalachian State ( 7-3, 5-2) for their sixth consecutive victory.
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“Our kids competed and I couldn’t be prouder,” Napier said. “We’ve been talking all week about our hard spirit and our culture. I think today is the best example so far this season. … It’s a tough place to play and tough conditions. in which to play. “
Louisiana-Lafayette was 0-8 against Appalachian State, including losses in the last two conference championship games.
The long snapper Paul Boudreaux has become the unfortunate story of the night.
He put Louisiana-Lafayette in a bind at the start, beating twice over 10 yards above the punter’s head in the first half, then sending a high slam to the incumbent on an extra missed point resulting in a deficit of 10-9 at halftime.
Still, the Ragin ‘Cajuns appeared in control after Ragas’ 17-yard and 1-yard touchdown passes in the third quarter made it 24-10.
But after Appalachian State reduced the lead to seven on a touchdown by Camerun Peoples, Boudreaux remarkably sent another smack to the head of the punter, who chased him and kicked him out from the back of the safety end zone with 6:36 left in play – giving the Mountaineers the ball 24-19.
Ferrod Gardner and Chauncey Manac have teamed up to sack Appalachian State quarterback Zac Thomas in a fourth and ninth game at Lafayette 29.
Still, Lewis and the attack couldn’t put the game aside. Faced with a fourth and second situation, Napier made the unusual decision of having Lewis take a snapshot and retreat to the end zone for another safety with 1:46 left instead of going for the first try or risk another bad shot on the punt. .
“Do you want to run the snapper and the punter and try again?” Napier said. “… We thought the best opportunity to win was to give up some security there and not give up another bad game.”
Napier said at the time that he wanted to put the game back in the hands of his defense.
It worked, but not without drama. Appalachian State moved to the shooting range after a defensive pass interference penalty near the end zone. After taking two shots in the end zone, App State went for the basket with 5 seconds left on the clock, but Staton snagged the potential equalizer on the left.
“It was a relief,” Manac said.
Thomas 10 of 21 for 92 yards with 2 INTs. He has been sacked three times. Camerun Peoples ran for 102 yards and a touchdown for Appalachian State.
“It was a tough passing game,” said Appalachian State coach Shawn Clark. “The ball was wet, it was raining and it was snowing and it was a bit icy. It was about turnover. We’ve had three turnovers on offense and you’re not going to win big football games when you have three turnovers.
The Ragin ‘Cajuns had already clinched a spot in the Sun Belt Conference championship game against Coastal Carolina, so the contest was largely a matter of pride. Appalachian State has beaten Louisiana-Lafayette four times in the previous two seasons, twice in the championship game on the same field.
THOMAS FIGHT
Thomas entered the game with 30 career wins – second only to Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence among active college quarterbacks – but the Ragin ‘Cajuns held him to 92 passing yards and two interceptions. He has now threw 15 interceptions on the season.
THE FUTURE OF NAPIER
Napier did not answer questions when asked if he would be interviewed for the vacant head coach job in South Carolina.
DELHOMME INTRODUCTIONS
Former Ragin ‘Cajuns quarterback Jake Delhomme introduced Lewis from a distance during pre-game presentations. Delhomme, who led the Carolina Panthers to the Super Bowl, is the only ULL quarterback with more TD assists than Lewis.
THE TAKEAWAY
Louisiane-Lafayette: The Ragin ‘Cajuns may be too scared to attempt to start over after a disastrous night for Boudreaux. Either way, Napier will likely have to look for alternative long snapper options.
Appalachian State: Mountaineers could not do anything offensively and were limited to 290 meters.
SURVEY IMPLICATIONS
Despite the near defeat, Louisiana-Lafayette should remain in roughly the same position in the polls.
NEXT
Louisiane-Lafayette: Will play at No. 14 Coastal Carolina in the Sun Belt Conference championship game on December 19. This is the Ragin ‘Cajuns’ third consecutive appearance in the conference title game.
Appalachian State: Hit the road to face Georgia Southern on December 12 in the regular season finale.
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