HUNTINGTON — The Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns scored 20 unanswered second-half points to upend Marshall 23-13 on Wednesday and spoil the Thundering Herd's inaugural Sun Belt Conference home game.
Marshall was held to just 276 total yards for the game and struggled most of the game to keep drives going as untimely penalties or sacks halted drives.
Louisiana was lead by Ben Wooldridge, who threw for 230 yards and two touchdowns in his very first start to lead the Cajuns to their first conference win of the season.
The Herd took a 7-3 lead in the second quarter when running back Khalan Laborn scored from 1-yard out with 4:09 remaining in the half. The lead would hold as both teams headed to halftime.
The second half was delayed due to lightning in the area.
The Cajuns would take the lead for good on a 6-yard touchdown pass to Dontae Fleming from Wooldridge to give Louisiana a 10-7 lead with 10:30 in the third quarter.
Cajun wide receiver Michael Jefferson broke a pair of tackles over the middle and raced for a 32-yard touchdown to extend their lead to 23-7 with 9:59 left in the game.
But the Herd woulld finally answer with a nine-play, 75-yard drive, that was capped by a 1-yard run by Laborn, to get to cut the lead to 23-13 with just 6:52 remaining to play.
Laborn had another stellar performance, finishing the game with 120-yards rushing and two touchdowns.
The two-point conversion try failed as the Louisiana defense stopped a rush attempt by Cam Fancher to keep the game at a two-possession lead for the Cajuns.
The Herd would get the ball back after forcing a punt with 4:27 to play.
However the Herd wouldn't be able to mount a comeback, as Louisiana safety Courtline Flowers would recover a fumble and the offense would run out the clock to seal the game.
The fumble recovery was the Ragin' Cajuns 16th takeaway of the season.
Wooldridge, a redshirt junior, also added 10 carries for 46 yards for Louisiana (3-3, 1-2 Sun Belt). Jefferson had three catches for 71 yards and kicker Kenneth Almendares made three field goals, including a career-long 52-yarder in the third quarter.
Henry Colombi threw for 69 yards with an interception for Marshall (3-3, 0-2 Sun Belt) before being replaced by Fancher to begin the fourth.
Marshall hits the road next Saturday as they will face James Madison.
Louisiana 3 0 13 7 = 23
Marshall 0 7 0 6 = 13
First Quarter
LA — Kenneth Almendares 42 field goal, 7:03
Second Quarter
MAR — Khalan Laborn 1 run (Rece Verhoff kick), 4:09
Third Quarter
LA — Dontae Fleming 6 pass from Ben Wooldridge (Kenneth Almendares kick), 10:30
LA — Kenneth Almendares 33 field goal, 4:40
LA — Kenneth Almendares 52 field goal, :00
Fourth Quarter
LA — Michael Jefferson 32 pass from Ben Wooldridge (Kenneth Almendares kick), 9:59
MAR — Kahlan Laborn 1 run (run failed), 6:52
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