The Lafayette Advertiser, one of our Gannett partners, provides a look at five key things for today’s game between Arizona and the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns:
1. Blaine Gautier
UL’s starting quarterback needs just two touchdown passes in his final two games — today’s and the Dec. 17 New Orleans Bowl — to move past Jake Delhomme and alone into first place on UL’s single-season record list for TD tosses. Delhomme threw 20 twice, in 1995 and ’96. With 2,173 already, Gautier also needs just 173 passing yards to move past Jerry Babb for fifth place on UL’s single-season leaders list.
2. UL going for it
The Ragin’ Cajuns lead the Sun Belt Conference in fourth-down conversion percentage at 72.7 — nearly 10 percent better than second-place Arkansas State (63.6). The Cajuns have gone for it 11 times, and converted eight times. The Red Wolves, by the way, has gone for it 22 times and made it 14 times.
3. The red zone
UL leads the Sun Belt in red zone offense, making it there 31 times this season — and coming up with points 29 times, a 93.5 percent success rate. Arkansas State is next-best at 85.5 percent. The Cajuns’ 29 scores include 20 touchdowns (13 runs, seven passes) and nine field goals.
4. UL’s pass defense
The Cajuns have a nation-high six pick-sixes this season. One more would tie them for the national record of seven, set by Tennessee way back in 1971. Southern Mississippi ranks second this season with five. Arizona quarterback Nick Foles, by the way, has thrown 25 touchdowns passes this season — but 13 interceptions as well.
5. Ladarius Green
With 2,014 to date, UL’s senior tight end needs 63 more yards to pass Wayde Butler (2,076 from 1989-92) for fourth place on UL’s career receiving yards list.