Louisiana's 16-play answer shuts down Troy's comeback in 33-6 win

Troy finally reached the end zone early in the third quarter, giving itself a chance to climb back into Saturday's game at Louisiana. The Cajuns used nearly all the remaining quarter to put that chance out of reach. A 16-play, 91-yard touchdown drive carried Louisiana toward a 33-6 victory in Lafayette.

Steven Blanco finished the possession with a two-yard run after the Cajuns had held the ball for 8:22. Louisiana extended its lead to 26-6, then added Anthony Reagan Jr.'s 15-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. The Cajuns improved to 5-2 overall and 2-1 in the Sun Belt, while Troy fell to 3-3 and 1-1.

Louisiana was coming off a 32-31 loss to Louisiana Tech. Troy had scored 55 points against Southern Miss the week before, as Shannon Mia Belt reported before kickoff. On Saturday, the Trojans managed one touchdown.

Troy coach Gerad Parker discussed the loss in the team's official postgame news conference.

Louisiana had established the lead long before its longest drive. Lunch Winfield threw a three-yard touchdown pass to KeDarius Wade with 12:15 left in the first quarter, finishing a short possession that began only eight yards from the end zone. The Cajuns' defense then stopped Troy on fourth down during the opening period, protecting the early advantage.

The score stayed 7-0 until the closing minutes of the half. JJ Garner broke a 37-yard touchdown run with 2:21 remaining. Troy fumbled on its next possession, and Louisiana turned the recovery into Tony Sterner's 42-yard field goal. Sterner added a 46-yarder just before halftime, sending the Cajuns into halftime with a 19-0 lead.

Tucker Kilcrease gave the Trojans their only touchdown on a 23-yard run with 10:48 left in the third quarter. The extra point failed, leaving Troy down 13. Louisiana's ensuing drive denied the visitors a quick chance to score again. By the time Blanco crossed the goal line, only 2:20 remained in the quarter and the lead was back to 20.

The Cajuns kept the ball for 36:39 and converted 10 of 17 third downs. They rushed for 243 yards on 49 attempts, spreading the carries across several runners. Winfield led with 65 yards on 15 carries, Garner had 62, Reagan added 58 and Blanco finished with 50. Garner, Blanco and Reagan each scored on the ground.

Louisiana needed only 108 passing yards alongside that rushing effort. Winfield completed 11 of 21 passes for 70 yards and the opening touchdown, while Daniel Beale completed both of his attempts for 38 yards. The Cajuns avoided turnovers throughout the game.

Troy finished with 267 total yards, including 141 through the air, but lost two fumbles and converted only three of 12 third downs. Kilcrease and Goose Crowder split the passing work, and Jace Petty led the receivers with four catches for 69 yards. The Trojans also failed on three of their four fourth-down attempts, leaving too many possessions unfinished to reduce Louisiana's lead.