Sometimes, but not always, when the Cajuns and Red Wolves share a gridiron, fisticuffs ensue. Personally, I’d rather see anger give way to the spirit of good-sportsmanship, but then again I’m a lover and not a fighter. There’s something toxic between Jonesboro and Lafayette, and it’s not the flaming jambalaya.
We share a common history, and sometimes occupying the same space can create friction. Arkansas State and Louisiana are Sun Belt OGs – original members when the Sun Belt included football in 2001. Collectively, the Cajuns and Red Wolves have won eight conference titles – though Arkansas State has the 5-3 edge. Since 2001, the Louisiana has overmatched A-State 16-8, and they’ve won the last two contests. Arkansas State has placed more players in the NFL while Louisiana has had more All Americans. Both teams have made unfortunate mascot decisions.
On Saturday, the Red Wolves and Cajuns meet once again in competition for an identical goal: to win the Sun Belt West. Both programs are riding high on recent victory, with the Cajuns having just schooled the American with wins over Charlotte and UAB, and Arkansas State cementing their revenge against Kennesaw State. It’s possible that the outcome of Saturday’s game will determine the fate of the Sun Belt.
There Is No Breakfast or Dinner; There’s Only Lunch
Lunch Winfield is the Cajuns’ leading passer with 660 yards and two passing touchdowns. Lunch Winfield is also the team’s leading rusher with 295 yards and six touchdowns. He can toss n’ scoot, connecting on better than 70% of his passes while averaging 5.4 per carry. Winfield (named D’Wanye’ by his mom) was a lightly recruited talent out of Lutcher, LA who outlasted the Louisiana QB Mess of 2025.
The Red Wolves can’t just focus on Winfield. Jayden Reed has become the QB’s favorite target. The 6’0″ freshman wide receiver already has four touchdown catches on 275 yard receiving. If Lunch isn’t running, his gunning for Reed.
The Defense is Special
The Cajuns are only allowing 19 points per contest, and their total defense ranks 19th nationally – ahead of James Madison. Some of that could be attributed to playing the anemic offenses of Charlotte and UAB, but there is no denying the inside chaos of 6’3″ 233lb defensive end Lance Williams and this disruptive power of outside linebacker Ashley Williams – at 6′-5’5″260 lbs, Williams is a beast to battle.
Want a fun fact? In four games, the Cajuns have yet to allow a field goal.
Cajuns Got Some Bad News
Michael Desormeaux lost a major piece of his defense when he announced that linebacker Conor McPherson is out for the remainder of the season, who led the team with 31 tackles.
Nobody Wants to Mess with Chauncy Cobb
The world is out. Don’t kick to to Arkansas State’s Chauncy Cobb. In four games, the Red Wolves have run-out one kick-off (Reed Linder got honors).
We Still Have Yet to See a Big Offensive Game from the Red Wolves
After four games, the Red Wolves offense is still seeking that big burst of production. Even the 52 points put up against Louisiana was defense driven. Yet, we’ve seen signs of a dam burst. Against Kennesaw State, a dropped touchdown pass and a two uncharacteristic misses from normally-money kicker Clune Van Andel left thirteen points on the table. Four interceptions deep in enemy territory most certainly affected the scoreboard in Memphis. The Red Wolves have had their opportunities to post points.
Putting points on the Cajuns will be a challenge to say the least. It will help immeasurably if starting running back Keyon Clay is healthy to start. Also, now in his fifth start behind center and fire tested, Trey Owens has become the caretaker Butch Jones and OC Garret Altman. Since tossing those before mentioned pics in Game One (plus losing a fumble against West Georgia), Owens hasn’t coughed up a turnover since Week 2. Could everything finally come together offensively against the Cajuns?
Red Wolves are a Defensive Team
It’s kind of weird. The Red Wolves rank 109th in total defense, yet it’s Griff McCarley’s bunch who are keeping Arkansas State in the game. Going into the season, there was much consternation concerning the lack of size, depth and speed on the defensive line. As expected, the line isn’t generating much havoc or many sacks, but it’s doing a fair job pressuring the quarterback. There’s really no explaining the team’s defensive success – it just seems to force a turnover or fourth down stop at the right time. Good news for the Red Wolves: Productive linebacker Robert Stevens is expect to return after getting dinged against Kennesaw.
Final Analysis
The Cajuns are a strong opponent, and the Red Wolves will be playing them on their homecoming. That said, Louisiana’s wins have come at the expense of offensively weak opponents. The success of the offense relies heavily on Lunch Winfield, and losing McPherson for the year is a nasty blow for the defense.
The true nature of both of these teams will be revealed Saturday night. Hopefully, it’s decided by the scoreboard and not a brawk.
MAIN IMAGE is mine