Ragin’ Cajuns aim to start 2-0 for the second time in the last three years, and the fifth since 2000

LAFAYETTE – After opening the 2024 football season with a 40-10 victory over their home-state opponent Grambling, the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns will make their first away trip this year, traveling to Conference USA newcomer Kennesaw State on Saturday at Fifth Third Stadium.

Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT. The game will be streamed live on ESPN+ and fans can listen to the game on the Ragin’ Cajuns Radio Network and worldwide on the Varsity Network app.

Louisiana (1-0) scored the game’s first 37 points and was never in trouble in its victory over Grambling, earning its third straight season-opening victory. Ben Wooldridge tied a career high with 25 completed passes and recorded his third career 300-yard passing game after finishing with 308 yards and three touchdowns.

Harvey Broussard, Tavion Smith and Terrance Carter each caught touchdown passes for the Ragin’ Cajuns, while Dre’lyn Washington scored on a 6-yard touchdown run on Louisiana’s first possession. Tyrone Lewis and KC Ossai each had seven tackles for the Ragin’ Cajuns, with Caleb Kibodi returning an interception 50 yards in the second quarter for his first career touchdown.

KSU (0-1), a new member of CUSA and its first home game as an FBS member, lost 28-16 at UTSA last Saturday. The Owls trailed 21-3 early in the second quarter and were able to cut the lead to 21-16 on Davis Bryson’s 25-yard touchdown pass to Carson Kent.

The Owls were held to 51 yards of ground clearance on 39 attempts, while Bryson completed 14 of 28 passes for 202 yards.

GAME 2 PREVIEW – Louisiana (1-0) at Kennesaw State (0-1)
Location: Fifth Third Stadium (10,200); Kennesaw, Georgia.
Date/Time: Saturday, September 7 | 7:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. CT

TV/RADIO
TV: ESPN+
Talents: Nolan Alexander (live commentary), Barclay Miller (analyst), Maria Martin (sideline)

Radio: Lafayette – Hot 107.9 FM; 103.3 The Goat, 1420 AM; New Orleans/Slidell – WGSO 990 AM; Worldwide – Varsity Network operated by Learfield
Talents: Jay Walker (live commentary), Cody Junot (analyst), Dawson Eiserloh (sideline)

All-time series: First meeting
Louisiana heads east to face CUSA newcomer Kennesaw State
• Louisiana will make its first road trip of the 2024 season when it heads east to face Conference USA newcomer Kennesaw State on Saturday at Fifth Third Stadium.
• The Ragin’ Cajuns opened their season last week with a convincing 40-10 win over their same-state opponent, Grambling.
• Ben Wooldridge completed 25 of 33 passes for 308 yards and three touchdowns as Louisiana took a 30-0 halftime lead. The senior threw touchdowns to Harvey Broussard, Tavion Smith and Terrance Carter for his third career 300-yard passing game.

CAJUNS VS NEW LOOK CONFERENCE USA
• Tonight’s game against Kennesaw State will be the 10th game Louisiana will face in the current Conference USA slate.
• Louisiana has an overall record of 71-71-7 against current CUSA members.
• The Ragin’ Cajuns have played their in-state rival Louisiana Tech 85 times – the most in school history – and have an overall record of 32-47-6.
• Louisiana has wins over Sam Houston (9-6-1), Florida International (8-2), New Mexico State (8-5), Middle Tennessee (7-6), Western Kentucky (5-2) and Liberty (2-0), but trails Jacksonville State (0-2) and UTEP (0-1).

A WIN FOR LOUISIANA WOULD BE…
• Give Louisiana its first 2-0 start since the 2022 season and fifth overall since 2000.
• Give the Ragin’ Cajuns their first non-conference road win since a 41-21 victory at UAB on Sept. 16, 2023.
• Give Louisiana its first win against a current CUSA member since a 42-14 victory at Liberty on Nov. 20, 2021.
• Mark Louisiana’s first win in the state of Georgia since a 28-20 victory at Georgia Southern on Sept. 25, 2021.
• Improve Louisiana’s September record (since 2020) to 12-5 overall.
• Be Louisiana’s 72nd overall against current CUSA schools.
• Mark their third win over a team nicknamed the “Owls,” following wins against Rice (3-3) and Florida Atlantic (3-5).

AGAINST THE OWLS
• Saturday’s meeting with Kennesaw State will be the schools’ first-ever meeting on the football field.
• The trip to metro Atlanta is Louisiana’s first in nearly four years, when it earned a 34-31 overtime victory at Georgia State on Sept. 19, 2020.

Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns football season tickets can be purchased online at RaginCajuns.com/tickets or by calling the Louisiana Athletics Ticket Office at (337) 482-GoUL (4685).