1. Don’t let up
Very few UL fans or players know anything about Kennesaw State, but the Cajuns need to take this game as seriously as they would any Sun Belt opponent. UL also needs to stay focused throughout the game. Even games they won last year — like against Buffalo and UAB — saw huge drop-offs in play late in those games. This is the first time the Owls will host an FBS school, so they won’t take their foot off the pedal. Effectively dealing with the emotional roller coaster will be key in this one.
2. The sack game
The Cajuns were hoping to unleash their athletic pass rushers on opposing quarterbacks this season. Well, UL had four hurries but no sacks in the opener vs. Grambling. In this matchup, the option elements in Kennesaw State’s rushing attack could neutralize an aggressive defense. On the other hand, the Owls defense collected five sacks for minus-34 yards against the Texas-San Antonio offense, while the Kennesaw offense allowed three sacks.
3. Special teams battle
If anything was lacking in UL’s 30-point win in the opener, it was in the kicking game. The kicking game can be the great equalizer. The Cajuns fumbled a punt and had three poor snaps for the kicker. Holder Dalen Cambre prevented disaster with just one missed extra point, but that can’t continue. On the other side, the Owls averaged 54.6 yards on five punts. UL didn’t punt in its win.
4. Pass happy
No one questions coach Michael Desormeaux’s desire to establish a strong running game. But against Grambling, the Cajuns saw the Tigers loading the box, so they leaned on the passing game and it worked wonderfully. Yes, UL wants to run it at Kennesaw State, but the Owls yielded 76 yards at 2.2 yards a carry last week while allowing 340 yards passing and three scores. If throwing works best, there’s no reason to be stubborn.
PREDICTION
UL 34, Kennesaw State 21
This one won’t be nearly as easy to snag as last week. The Owls competed with a good UTSA team on Saturday. The Roadrunners hurt themselves with 10 flags for 109 yards to keep it close. UL had one penalty for 5 yards. If the Cajuns can keep the miscues to a minimum and the passing game delivers another dynamic performance, UL should come home happy. The trick is going to be to take the crowd out of the game as early as possible. It’s the program’s first home game as an FCS program, so the Owls will be fired up.
KENNESAW STATE
Rushing offense (per) 51.0
Passing offense 202.0
Rushing defense 76.0
Passing defense 340.0
Third down conversions 37.5
Third down defense 28.5
Turnover margin Even
Penalties (per) 44.0
Leaders
Passing
Davis Bryson 14-28-0, 202 yds, 1 TD
Rushing
Qua Ashley 10-826, 0 TD
Davis Bryson 19-21, 0 TD
Preston Daniels 5-14, 0 TD
Receiving
Gabriel Benyard 4-39, 0 TD
Carson Kent 3-40, 1 TD
Tykeem Wallace 2-38, 0 TD
Defense
Baron Hopson 13 tackles
Donelius Johnson 7 tackles, 2 TFLs, 2 sacks
Isaac Paul 7 tackles
Schedule
August
31 At UTSA, L 28-16
September
7 Louisiana, 6 p.m.
14 At San Jose State, 6 p.m.
28 Tennessee-Martin, 5 p.m.
October
4 Jacksonville State, 6 p.m.
15 At Middle Tennessee, 7 p.m.
23 Liberty, 6 p.m.
30 At Western Kentucky, 7:30 p.m.
November
9 At UTEP, 3 p.m.
16 Sam Houston, 2 p.m.
23 FIU, 2 p.m.
CAJUNS
Rushing offense 118.0
Passing offense 363.0
Rushing defense 75.0
Passing defense 166.0
Third down conversions 63.6
Third down defense 36.3
Turnover margin Even
Penalties 5.0
Leaders
Passing
Ben Wooldridge 25-33-1, 308 yds, 3 TDs
Rushing
Zylan Perry 5-45, 0 TD
Bill Davis 6-35, 0 TD
Dre’lyn Washington 5-25, 1 TD
Receiving
Harvey Broussard 4-76, 1 TD
Rob Williams 4-42, 0 TD
Terrance Carter 3-35, 1 TD
Defense
Tyrone Lewis 7 tackles
K.C. Ossai 7 tackles
Keyon Martin 4 tackles, 1 hurry
Schedule
August
31 Grambling, W 40-10
September
7 at Kennesaw State, 6 p.m.
21 Tulane, TBA
28 At Wake Forest, TBA
October
5 At Southern Miss, TBA
12 Appalachian State, TBA
19 At Coastal Carolina, TBA
29 At Texas State, 6:30 p.m.
November
9 Arkansas State, TBA
16 South Alabama, TBA
23 Troy, TBA
30 At UL Monroe, TBA
