Sterner kicks Louisiana past Arkansas State 23–20 on final play

Tony Sterner made a 37-yard field goal on the final play as Louisiana beat Arkansas State 23–20 Saturday night. The Ragin' Cajuns began their winning possession at their own seven-yard line and moved into range behind Lunch Winfield's passing and a rushing attack that produced 246 yards.

Louisiana had already tied the game with Sterner's 25-yard field goal at 5:38 of the fourth quarter. Arkansas State could not add another score, and the Cajuns took over deep in their own territory with the opportunity to win. A sequence of Winfield runs and passes moved the offense across midfield before he found Kristion Brooks for 14 yards to the Arkansas State 21.

Winfield's short completion to Russell Babineaux moved the ball another yard. Louisiana called timeout with three seconds showing, Arkansas State called one of its own, and Sterner then sent the kick through the uprights as time expired. It was his third field goal of the night, following makes from 38 and 25 yards.

The teams traded control throughout the game. Winfield's two-yard touchdown run gave Louisiana a 7–0 lead late in the first quarter. Arkansas State answered with Clune Van Andel's 25-yard field goal and Trey Owens' 21-yard touchdown pass to Jaylen Bonelli, taking a 10–7 lead into halftime.

Sterner's 38-yard kick tied it in the third quarter before Van Andel restored Arkansas State's advantage with a 21-yard field goal. JJ Garner's 13-yard touchdown run on the opening play of the fourth quarter moved Louisiana ahead 17–13. Solomon Baggett answered from six yards out less than four minutes later, giving the Red Wolves a 20–17 lead.

Winfield completed 18 of 21 passes for 189 yards without an interception. He also ran 14 times for 64 yards and a touchdown. Garner led Louisiana's ground game with 78 yards on seven attempts, while Steven Blanco added 42. The Cajuns had 26 first downs to Arkansas State's 16 and controlled possession for 34:08.

Owens completed 20 of 31 throws for 206 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. Chauncy Cobb caught eight passes for 65 yards, Hunter Summers had four for 52 and Bonelli added 44. Baggett led the Red Wolves on the ground with 51 yards on 12 carries.

Arkansas State finished without a turnover and gained 293 total yards, but Louisiana's 435 yards and successful final drive overcame its one lost fumble. The two teams converted half their third-down chances or close to it; the deciding difference came when the Cajuns took a long field and turned it into a manageable kick with no time left.

The win also carried conference and coaching stakes. Louisiana's official game preview identified Saturday as the Sun Belt opener for both teams and listed the Cajuns at 3–1 entering the game. They are now 4–1 overall and 1–0 in the league. The same preview said Michael Desormeaux's next victory would tie Johnny L. Cain for seventh on Louisiana's coaching wins list with 33; Sterner's last kick delivered that milestone.