2022 Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns football team explained
The 2022 Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns football team represented the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in the 2022 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Ragin' Cajuns played their home games at Cajun Field in Lafayette, Louisiana, and competed in the West Division of the Sun Belt Conference. They were led by first-year head coach Michael Desormeaux.
Preseason
Recruiting class
|}Source:[1]
Award watch lists
Listed in the order that they were released
Preseason
Sun Belt coaches poll
The Sun Belt coaches poll was released on July 25, 2022. The Cajuns were picked to finish first in the West Division and first in the conference.[8]
West Division| 1 | Louisiana | 95 (12) |
| 2 | South Alabama | 79 (2) |
| 3 | Troy | 76 |
| 4 | Texas State | 41 |
| 5 | Southern Miss | 40 |
| 6 | Arkansas State | 37 |
| 7 | Louisiana–Monroe | 24 | |
East Division| 1 | Appalachian State | 94 (10) |
| 2 | Coastal Carolina | 77 (2) |
| 3 | Georgia State | 68 (1) |
| 4 | Marshall | 62 |
| 5 | Georgia Southern | 35 (1) |
| 6 | James Madison | 31 |
| 7 | Old Dominion | 25 | |
Sun Belt Preseason All-Conference teams
Defense
1st team
- Zi'Yon Hill-Green – Defensive line, RS-SR
- Eric Garror – Defensive back, SR
2nd team
Special teams
1st team
- Rhys Byrns – Punter, SR
- Chris Smith – All-Purpose, RS-JR
Schedule
All conference games were announced in early March 2022.
Game summaries
Southeastern Louisiana
See also: 2022 Southeastern Louisiana Lions football team and Cypress Mug.
| style= | Pregame line! | style= | Over/under |
|---|
| LA –13.0 | 61 | |
| Statistics | Southeastern Louisiana | Louisiana |
|---|
| First downs | 12 | 18 |
| Total yards | 260 | 374 |
| Rushing yards | 111 | 133 |
| Passing yards | 149 | 241 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 0 |
| Time of possession | 29:04 | 30:56 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Southeastern Louisiana | Passing | | 22/34, 149 yards, 1 INT |
| Rushing | | 10 carries, 57 yards, 1 TD |
| Receiving | CJ Turner | 3 receptions, 46 yards |
| Louisiana | Passing | | 13/20, 173 yards, 2 TDs |
| Rushing | Terrence Williams | 10 carries, 61 yards |
| Receiving | | 5 receptions, 72 yards, 2 TDs | |
Eastern Michigan
See also: 2022 Eastern Michigan Eagles football team.
| style= | Pregame line! | style= | Over/under |
|---|
| LA –11.0 | 56 | |
| Statistics | Eastern Michigan | Louisiana |
|---|
| First downs | 23 | 23 |
| Total yards | 361 | 459 |
| Rushing yards | 41 | 149 |
| Passing yards | 320 | 310 |
| Turnovers | 5 | 0 |
| Time of possession | 29:35 | 30:25 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Eastern Michigan | Passing | | 31/50, 317 yards, 1 TD, 3 INTs |
| Rushing | Jaylon Jackson | 5 carries, 37 yards |
| Receiving | Tanner Knue | 8 receptions, 89 yards, 1 TD |
| Louisiana | Passing | | 12/13, 169 yards, 2 TDs |
| Rushing | Dre'lyn Washington | 8 carries, 45 yards, 1 TD |
| Receiving | John Stephens Jr. | 3 receptions, 103 yards, 1 TD | |
At Rice
See also: 2022 Rice Owls football team.
| style= | Pregame line! | style= | Over/under |
|---|
| LA –12.0 | 52 | |
| Statistics | Louisiana | Rice |
|---|
| First downs | 9 | 26 |
| Total yards | 175 | 449 |
| Rushing yards | 61 | 146 |
| Passing yards | 114 | 303 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 3 |
| Time of possession | 18:09 | 41:51 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Louisiana | Passing | Ben Wooldridge | 6/14, 76 yards |
| Rushing | | 6 carries, 39 yards, 1 TD |
| Receiving | | 5 receptions, 53 yards |
| Rice | Passing | TJ McMahon | 25/36, 303 yards, 3 TDs, 3 INTs |
| Rushing | Ari Broussard | 19 carries, 49 yards, 1 TD |
| Receiving | | 10 receptions, 105 yards, 2 TDs | |
At Louisiana–Monroe
See also: 2022 Louisiana–Monroe Warhawks football team and Battle on the Bayou.
| style= | Pregame line! | style= | Over/under |
|---|
| LA –9.5 | 51 | |
| Statistics | Louisiana | Louisiana–Monroe |
|---|
| First downs | 18 | 15 |
| Total yards | 354 | 419 |
| Rushing yards | 86 | 227 |
| Passing yards | 268 | 192 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 2 |
| Time of possession | 32:45 | 27:15 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Louisiana | Passing | Chandler Fields | 20/34, 231 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
| Rushing | Chris Smith | 10 carries, 41 yards |
| Receiving | Michael Jefferson | 5 receptions, 105 yards, 1 TD |
| Louisiana–Monroe | Passing | | 14/26, 192 yards, 1 INT |
| Rushing | Andrew Henry | 11 carries, 123 yards, 1 TD |
| Receiving | Tyrone Howell | 3 receptions, 124 yards | |
South Alabama
See also: 2022 South Alabama Jaguars football team.
| style= | Pregame line! | style= | Over/under |
|---|
| USA –8.5 | 47.5 | |
| Statistics | South Alabama | Louisiana |
|---|
| First downs | 20 | 17 |
| Total yards | 361 | 274 |
| Rushing yards | 116 | 159 |
| Passing yards | 245 | 115 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 3 |
| Time of possession | 30:18 | 29:42 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| South Alabama | Passing | | 18/41, 245 yards, 1 INT |
| Rushing | | 22 carries, 75 yards, 1 TD |
| Receiving | | 5 receptions, 112 yards |
| Louisiana | Passing | Ben Wooldridge | 18/29, 90 yards, 1 TD, INT |
| Rushing | Chris Smith | 12 carries, 107 yards |
| Receiving | Peter LeBlanc | 3 receptions, 23 yards | |
At Marshall
See also: 2022 Marshall Thundering Herd football team.
| style= | Pregame line! | style= | Over/under |
|---|
| MRSH –10.5 | 45 | |
| Statistics | Louisiana | Marshall |
|---|
| First downs | 16 | 17 |
| Total yards | 338 | 276 |
| Rushing yards | 108 | 139 |
| Passing yards | 230 | 137 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 2 |
| Time of possession | 28:18 | 31:42 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Louisiana | Passing | Ben Wooldridge | 17/30, 230 yards, 2 TD |
| Rushing | Ben Wooldridge | 10 carries, 45 yards |
| Receiving | Michael Jefferson | 3 receptions, 71 yards, 1 TD |
| Marshall | Passing | | 7/9, 69 yards |
| Rushing | | 26 carries, 120 yards, 2 TD |
| Receiving | Corey Gammage | 4 receptions, 58 yards | |
Arkansas State
See also: 2022 Arkansas State Red Wolves football team.
| style= | Pregame line! | style= | Over/under |
|---|
| LA –6.5 | 51.5 | |
| Statistics | Arkansas State | Louisiana |
|---|
| First downs | 13 | 27 |
| Total yards | 271 | 522 |
| Rushing yards | 82 | 206 |
| Passing yards | 189 | 316 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 2 |
| Time of possession | 22:12 | 37:48 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Arkansas State | Passing | AJ Mayer | 8/23, 155 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
| Rushing | | 6 carries, 33 yards |
| Receiving | Daverrick Jenkins | 3 receptions, 61 yards |
| Louisiana | Passing | Ben Wooldridge | 21/34, 316 yards, 5 TD |
| Rushing | Terrence Williams | 11 carries, 58 yards |
| Receiving | Jacob Bernard | 5 receptions, 97 yards, 1 TD | |
At Southern Miss
See also: 2022 Southern Miss Golden Eagles football team.
| style= | Pregame line! | style= | Over/under |
|---|
| LA –2.5 | 43.0 | |
| Statistics | Louisiana | Southern Miss |
|---|
| First downs | 17 | 15 |
| Total yards | 439 | 339 |
| Rushing yards | 103 | 150 |
| Passing yards | 336 | 189 |
| Turnovers | 4 | 2 |
| Time of possession | 26:47 | 33:13 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Louisiana | Passing | Ben Wooldridge | 21/46, 336 yards, 2 TD, 3 INT |
| Rushing | Chris Smith | 11 carries, 47 yards |
| Receiving | Michael Jefferson | 6 receptions, 179 yards, 1 TD |
| Southern Miss | Passing | Zach Wilcke | 8/17, 137 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT |
| Rushing | | 23 carries, 87 yards |
| Receiving | | 3 receptions, 102 yards, 2 TD | |
Troy
See also: 2022 Troy Trojans football team.
| style= | Pregame line! | style= | Over/under |
|---|
| TROY –5.5 | 43 | |
| Statistics | Troy | Louisiana |
|---|
| First downs | 21 | 21 |
| Total yards | 377 | 315 |
| Rushing yards | 154 | 203 |
| Passing yards | 223 | 112 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 0 |
| Time of possession | 30:08 | 29:52 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Troy | Passing | | 21/35, 223 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT |
| Rushing | | 21 carries, 117 yards, 1 TD |
| Receiving | | 5 receptions, 79 yards |
| Louisiana | Passing | Ben Wooldridge | 13/29, 112 yards |
| Rushing | Chris Smith | 18 carries, 97 yards |
| Receiving | Michael Jefferson | 6 receptions, 50 yards | |
Georgia Southern
See also: 2022 Georgia Southern Eagles football team.
| style= | Pregame line! | style= | Over/under |
|---|
| LA –3.5 | 63.0 | |
| Statistics | Georgia Southern | Louisiana |
|---|
| First downs | 24 | 22 |
| Total yards | 430 | 435 |
| Rushing yards | 72 | 242 |
| Passing yards | 358 | 193 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 28:18 | 31:42 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Georgia Southern | Passing | | 28/49, 325 yards, 1 TD |
| Rushing | Gerald Green | 10 carries, 44 yards |
| Receiving | Derwin Burgess Jr. | 5 receptions, 75 yards, 1 TD |
| Louisiana | Passing | Ben Wooldridge | 17/31, 193 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT |
| Rushing | Chris Smith | 17 carries, 80 yards |
| Receiving | Michael Jefferson | 3 receptions, 53 yards, 1 TD | |
At No. 19 Florida State
See also: 2022 Florida State Seminoles football team.
| style= | Pregame line! | style= | Over/under |
|---|
| FSU –25.0 | 52.5 | |
| Statistics | Louisiana | Florida State |
|---|
| First downs | 18 | 23 |
| Total yards | 291 | 440 |
| Rushing yards | 132 | 251 |
| Passing yards | 159 | 189 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 0 |
| Time of possession | 29:16 | 30:44 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Louisiana | Passing | Chandler Fields | 19/36, 159 yards, 1 TD |
| Rushing | Dre'lyn Washington | 10 carries, 57 yards |
| Receiving | Michael Jefferson | 6 receptions, 60 yards, 1 TD |
| Florida State | Passing | | 9/14, 112 yards, 1 TD |
| Rushing | | 16 carries, 80 yards, 1 TD |
| Receiving | Kentron Poitier | 1 reception, 45 yards | |
At Texas State
See also: 2022 Texas State Bobcats football team.
| style= | Pregame line! | style= | Over/under |
|---|
| LA –5.0 | 45.0 | |
| Statistics | Louisiana | Texas State |
|---|
| First downs | 27 | 15 |
| Total yards | 436 | 356 |
| Rushing yards | 165 | 223 |
| Passing yards | 271 | 133 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 2 |
| Time of possession | 30:34 | 29:26 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Louisiana | Passing | Chandler Fields | 16/26, 187 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT |
| Rushing | Dre'lyn Washington | 10 carries, 73 yards, 1 TD |
| Receiving | Lance Legendre | 4 receptions, 81 yards, 1 TD |
| Texas State | Passing | | 13/27, 133 yards, 1 INT |
| Rushing | Lincoln Pare | 4 receptions, 81 yards, 1 TD |
| Receiving | Charles Brown | 3 receptions, 60 yards | |
Vs. Houston (Independence Bowl)
See also: 2022 Houston Cougars football team and 2022 Independence Bowl.
| style= | Pregame line! | style= | Over/under |
|---|
| HOU –5.0 | 58.0 | |
| Statistics | Houston | Louisiana |
|---|
| First downs | 21 | 21 |
| Total yards | 363 | 323 |
| Rushing yards | 139 | 129 |
| Passing yards | 224 | 194 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 3 |
| Time of possession | 30:19 | 29:41 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Houston | Passing | | 19/28, 224 yards, 3 TDs |
| Rushing | Clayton Tune | 11 carries, 55 yards |
| Receiving | KeSean Carter | 4 receptions, 112 yards, 1 TD |
| Louisiana | Passing | Chandler Fields | 17/25, 169 yards, 1 TD |
| Rushing | Chris Smith | 14 carries, 48 yards |
| Receiving | Lance Legendre | 5 receptions, 56 yards | |
Notes and References
- Web site: Louisiana Football Adds Five to 2022 Signing Class . Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns . 5 September 2022 . en.
- Web site: Chris Smith Named to Doak Walker Award Watch List . Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns . 5 September 2022 . en.
- Web site: Johnny Lumpkin Selected to John Mackey Award Watch List . Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns . 5 September 2022 . en.
- Web site: AJ Gillie Named to Outland Trophy Preseason Watch List . Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns . 5 September 2022 . en.
- Web site: Byrns Named To Ray Guy Award Watch List . Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns . 5 September 2022 . en.
- Web site: Louisiana's Smith Named To Wuerffel Trophy Award Watch List . Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns . 5 September 2022 . en.
- Web site: Trio of Ragin' Cajuns Named to Reese's Senior Bowl Watch List . Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns . 5 September 2022 . en.
- Web site: Sun Belt Announces Football Preseason Awards & Poll . sunbeltsports.org . 5 September 2022 . en.
