By: Dave Parks, Intern
LAFAYETTE. – The Ragin’ Cajuns and their fans were excited f
or the home opener after beginning the season with a tough fight against a SEC opponent. The Cajuns came out fired up and rolled to a 44-17 victory improving to 1-1 on the year.
The story of the night was the play of Elijah McGuire, who tied a University of Louisiana school record with five rushing touchdowns. The Cajuns’ offense gained an impressive 547 yards of total offense, including 360 on the ground.
The Cajuns got the ball to start the game and drove down the field, ending with a seven-yard TD run by McGuire. The defense forced a punt on the Demons’ first drive, giving the ball back to the offense at the 12 yard line. On the first play, McGuire raced up the middle and scored on an 88-yard run, the third longest run in school history.
The second quarter began with a Demons’ touchdown on a 41-yard run by Chris Jones making the score 14-7, but the Cajuns were quick to respond. The drive included a huge 22-yard reception by Devin Scott and a 22-yard scramble by Brooks Haack getting the Cajuns down to the three-yard line before McGuire notched his third TD run. The Cajuns defense stepped up once again forcing a Demon punt and with 1:16 left before the half. The drive ended with McGuire taking it to the house for his fourth TD of the half making it 27-7.
The Cajuns kicked off to begin the second half. The defense forced what looked like a punt until NSU’s Jones took off around the right side for a fake. They tried another fake on the drive but the Cajuns wouldn’t be fooled twice. The Cajun offense got one last TD from McGuire with 6:16 left in the third quarter. The Demons answered with a pass from J.D. Almond to Cody Jones, cutting the lead to 34-17. Right before the quarter ended Jamal Robinson hauled in a long 58-yard reception to the one yard line.
The fourth quarter opened with UL’s own Torrey Pierce punching it for a TD, increasing the lead to 41-17. The Cajuns added a field goal before it was over making the final 44-17.
Haack finished 7 of 8 passing for 187 yards and added 51 rushing. McGuire led the rushing attack with 162 yards and 5 TDs. Pierce gained 52 yards of his own and added a TD. Darius Hoggins had a 58-yard run and Montrel Carter added 32 yards rushing. Scott led the receivers with three catches for 90 yards. Robinson had two receptions for 68 yards. Keenan Barnes and Gabe Fuselier also had one catch apiece.
On the defensive side of the ball, Tracey Walker led the way with nine tackles. Zachary DeGrange added two tackles for loss including a sack. 
The Cajuns are off next week before being back home against Akron on September 26th. The Zips are 0-2 on the year, but have faced tough competition. The Cajuns will look to carry this momentum and make the Zips their second win of the year.