Ragin’ Cajuns Pull Away In Fourth To Beat UNT

LAFAYETTE, La.- North Texas, despite hanging with Louisiana-Lafayette for most of the game, could not hold off the Ragin’ Cajuns and fell 30-10 at Cajun Field. Louisiana-Lafayette’s 17 fourth-quarter points put the game out of reach for the Mean Green.

The Mean Green (2-5, 1-2 Sun Belt) held the Cajuns (5-1, 4-0 Sun Belt) to just 13 points through three quarters, but could not hold them off in the fourth quarter, as Louisiana-Lafayette pulled away. Louisiana-Lafayette was able to contain North Texas running back Lance Dunbar, to just 53 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries.

Brelan Chancellor led North Texas with 189 all-purpose yards, and nearly threw for a touchdown on a trick play during the first quarter, but Ivan Delgado just missed hauling it in in the end zone. Chancellor caught three passes for 29 yards, and rushed twice on end arounds for 32 yards

The Mean Green’s first scoring drive was set up by a fumble, forced by Zach Orr and recovered by Brad Graham for his first career fumble recovery. Derek Thompson accounted for 20 of the 24 yards on the ensuing drive, which resulted in a 24 yard Zach Olen field goal, which resulted in a 3-0 Mean Green lead, their first lead of the season in a road game.

Louisiana-Lafayette responded on the next drive through the air, moving the ball downfield with a 65 yard pass from Blaine Gautier to Darryl Surgent. Two plays later, Gautier hit Ladarius Green on a six yard fade route for a touchdown.

Lance Dunbar rushed for a two yard touchdown for North Texas to take a 10-7 at the end of the first quarter, on a drive that featured a 20 yard pass from Derek Thompson to Ivan Delgado and a 30 yard end around rush by Brelan Chancellor. Dunbar’s rushing touchdown gives him 35 for his career and puts him within one of Patrick Cobbs’ career rushing touchdown mark. Dunbar has touchdowns in each of the Mean Green’s last four games.

North Texas gained great field position, after Zach Orr and Ryan Boutwell stuffed Louisiana-Lafayette’s Alonzo Harris on fourth-and-one, starting the ensuing drive on the Ragin Cajun 25 yard line. The Mean Green could not take advantage, as Zach Olen had a 37 yard field goal attempt blocked.

The Ragin Cajuns took the ball 66 yards for a touchdown on the next possession, capped by a 28 yard Gautier run followed by a 25 yard touchdown pass from Gautier to Green, their second scoring connection on the day. The Ragin Cajuns then missed the extra point, making their lead 13-10 going into the break.

North Texas drove to the Louisiana-Lafayette 25 yard line, behind the rushing of Dunbar and the passing of Thompson, but Zach Olen missing a game-tying 42 yard field goal.

In the fourth quarter, Darryl Sergant struck with his second long pass reception of the day, catching a 44 yard touchdown, to go along with his 65 yard catch earlier, from Gautier at the start of the fourth quarter to give Louisiana-Lafayette a 20-10 lead.

Louisiana-Lafayette was able to put the game away with a 24 touchdown pass from Goutier to Javone Lawson, coming three plays after a Derek Thompson interception. The Ragin’ Cajuns added a 31-yard field goal with 0:44 remaining, and stuffed Andrew McNulty on the goal line as time expired, with North Texas searching for a consolation touchdown.

Wide receiver Ivan Delgado had three receptions on the day, doubling his career total entering the game. Linebacker Michael Stojkovic had 2.0 tackles for loss, bringing his career total to 4.5

The announced crowd of 32,823 is the largest crowd to see a Sun Belt conference game.

The Mean Green host ULM on Saturday, October 22 at Apogee Stadium, with kickoff at 6 p.m.