Halloween weekend marked Louisiana’s college football programs recorded their first winning weekend in a few weeks, though the results were still a largely mixed bag.
Louisiana (Lafayette), Grambling State, Southeastern Louisiana, Nicholls State and McNeese State won Saturday to join Louisiana Tech’s homecoming win Friday, while ULM, Southern and Northwestern State followed Tulane in the loss column.
LSU was the lone idle team, enjoying its annual bye prior to facing Alabama.
CAJUNS EARN MUCH-NEEDED WINS
The Ragin’ Cajuns (3-6, 2-3) scored a pair of touchdowns in the final 2:10 of the first half at South Alabama (2-7, 1-4), then another to open the second half to take control on their way to a much-needed win, 31-22.
Former Lutcher star D’Wanye’ “Lunch” Winfield completed 14 of his 15 passes (93.3%) for 232 yards and two touchdowns — a program record for completion percentage — while rushing 15 times for 45 yards and another score.
And former Catholic-Baton Rouge star Shelton Sampson Jr., an LSU transfer caught six passes for a career-high 138 yards and two touchdowns.
The dynamic running back duo of Zylan Perry (Franklin) and Elijah “Bill” Davis (Riverside Academy) each finished with 56 yards, with Perry also finding the end zone.
Senior linebacker Jaden Dugger led the defense with 11 tackles, including one for loss, and an interception. Senior safety Tyree Skipper (Sophie B. Wright) and senior linebacker Terrence Williams (Many) added nine each, including a sack by Skipper.
GRAMBLING TOPS ALABAMA A&M LATE
Grambling State started Saturday without star quarterback C’Zavian “Zae” Teasett (Scotlandville) following a scary hit the previous week and had backup Amyne Darensbourg (John F. Kennedy) sidelined by an injury in the first quarter.
But the Tigers’ defense responded and, after a pair of early Alabama A&M scores, dominated the rest of the day, including three-plus shutout quarters, until a 64-yard Delano Franklin punt return could lift the home team to victory, 13-10.
Grambling State recorded a season-high eight sacks and three takeaways and held the Bulldogs to just 175 yards of total offense and 0-for-11 on third downs.
Senior defensive lineman Bryce Cage (Scotlandville) and sophomore linebacker Jamal Jordan (Evangel Christian) each finished with six tackles and a sack.
Graduate defensive ends Shanye Monsanto and Jon Horton (Scotlandville) each recorded 1.5 sacks to lead the balanced and disruptive effort up front, senior defensive back Blake Davis and junior defensive back Jalen Guillard (East Jefferson) each snatched interceptions and freshman defensive back Jay’shaun Johnson (Franklin) recovered a fumble.
Grambling State’s offensive numbers were limited in their own right with just 143 yards, but the Tigers also did a better job limiting their mistakes to a lone turnover and fewer penalties.
Former Loreauville standout Hayden Benoit stepped into the quarterback role and finished 9-for-13 (69.2%) for 91 yards in his first significant action as a true freshman.
SOUTHEASTERN, NICHOLLS, MCNEESE NOTCH SLC WINS
Southeastern Louisiana, Nicholls State and McNeese State all won their respective Southland Conference games in blowout fashion.
The Lions beat East Texas A&M, 59-14. The Colonels knocked off Houston Christian, 31-7. And the Cowboys took care of in-state foe Northwestern State, 50-3.
Southeastern Louisiana unloaded its season-best scoring output in the victory, which also moved the Lions into position as the state’s winningest team thus far this season.
The quarterback duo of Carson Camp and Kyle Lowe finished a combined 20-for-29 (60.0%) for 311 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions.
Former Comeaux standout Jaylon Domingeaux caught four passes for a career-high 157 yards and two touchdowns, and former East St. John star D’Khai Joseph caught two passes for 55 yards and his first college receiving touchdown and also recorded his season punt-return touchdown.
Kyree Paul (Istrouma) and Calvin Smith Jr. (Hahnville) each rushed for 38 yards and at least one touchdown, with Smith finding the end zone twice, and Deantre Jackson (Edna Karr) added 16 yards and a score.
Linebacker K.K. Reno (Catholic-New Iberia) finished with 10 tackles, and veteran defensive back Ian Conerly-Goodly (Covington) snatched an interception.
A career day for sophomore quarterback Ean Rodrigue (Thibodaux) helped lead Nicholls State’s win as the Colonels knocked off Houston Christian, 31-7.
Rodrigue finished 17-for-22 for 174 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 89 yards and another score.
Dany’e Brooks (Edna Karr), Everett Hunter and Paxton Lafont (E.D. White) all caught touchdown passes — Lafont’s coming from running back Shane Lee (Destrehan).
McNeese State’s victory cruise was also led by its quarterback’s efficient and dual-threat efforts.
Jake Strong completed 11 of 17 passes for 121 yards and a touchdown pass and rushed for a team-high 94 yards and a score.
Senior running back Coleby Hamm‘s two touchdowns led the Cowboys’ five different rushers to find the end zone, including former Lake Charles College Prep star Tre’Vonte Citizen who finished with 63 yards on just six carries.
