The 2012-2013 Bowl Blitz Invitational presented by STAT BOX STORIES continues with the 2012 R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl, pitting the Eastern Carolina Pirates (8-4, 7-1 C-USA) against the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns (8-4, 6-2 Sun Belt. Community member Quantrell Toval from The Gaming Tailgate played as the hometown Cajuns as they attempt to defend the Superdome turf from the visiting Conference USA squad.
Ragin’ Cajuns roll to second consecutive New Orleans Bowl victory, topping ECU 49-26
New Orleans, LA. – The conclusion of the 2012 New Orleans Bowl wasn’t as dramatic as the 2
011 version but the game had the same result: a Ragin’ Cajun win. The Cajuns from UL-Lafayette come away with a 49-26 victory over the East Carolina Pirates.
The crowd in the Superdome thought they were going to get a shootout as both teams scored on TDs on their opening drives with ECU scoring on a 6-yd TD from QB #5 to WR #33. UL-Lafayette answered right back via the ground game by eventual game MVP, #46, completing the drive with a 3-yd run.
On the first play of ECU’s second drive, the UL pass rush forced ECU’s QB #5 into throwing an errant pass that was intercepted by UL-Lafayette CB #22. 10 plays later, UL-Lafayette scores again as HB #3 gets into the endzone from the 1-yd line. After ECU’s next drive resulted in a 20-yd FG by K #20, UL-Lafayette scored another TD, this time through the air as QB #17 connected on his first TD pass to WR #4. ECU wastes no time answering as it takes a little over a minute to march down the field in 8 plays as HB #35 rushes into the endzone from the 1.
After forcing UL to go 3 and out, the Pirates score a 28-yd FG on the next drive, making the score 21-20 Cajuns with a little over a minute to go before the half. The Cajuns, not content with taking that lead into the locker room for the half, go 72 yds in 6 plays, scoring on a 5-yd TD pass with 5 seconds to go in the half, taking a 28-20 lead into halftime.
The Cajuns received the ball first in the 2nd half but 4 plays into the drive, The Cajuns throws a pass that is intercepted by LB #20. 3 plays later, the Pirates were in the endzone as HB #35 got his second rushing TD of the game. The Pirates try a 2pt conversion to tie the game at 28 but the pass to ECU WR #2 was broken up by UL CB #2 in the endzone.
It was all Cajuns afterward.
The ensuing drive was all of 2 plays as on the 2nd play from scrimmage, HB #46 made the play of the game as took the handoff, headed right, got a block, and headed up the field untouched for a 74-yd TD run. The play took the wind out of the Pirates sails as their next series ended with a 3 and out. After the punt, the Cajuns went on a 9 play, 77-yd drive that ended when QB #17 hit WR #9 for a 12-yd TD pass, making the score 42-26 and all but sealing the game.
After both teams had a few unproductive drives, UL scored one more TD in the 4th quarter on a 16-yd run by HB #46. After another interception by UL CB #22 on ECU’s next drive, the Cajuns ran out the clock to seal back-to-back New Orleans Bowl victories. Final Score UL-Lafayette 49, ECU 26.
Player of the Game: ULL HB #46, who rushed for 181 yards on 22 carries for 3 touchdowns. He also caught 4 passes for 57 yards.
It was over when… ULL HB #46 broke off a 74-yd TD run in the 3rd quarter to extend the Ragin’ Cajuns’ lead to 9 points. Two more touchdowns later for ULL and the scoring was complete.
Game Ball goes to… ULL CB #22, who had 2 interceptions; 1 that led to a TD and 1 to seal the game.
Stat of the Game: 6-for-6. The Ragin Cajuns were in the Pirates’ red zone 6 times and came away with 6 TDs.
Statistical Tidbits: ULL outgained ECU 253-75 on the ground. … ULL also had a large T.O.P. advantage as the Cajuns held the ball 22:49 to the Pirates 9:11. … The running backs were the stars for both teams as UL’s HB #46 had 238 all-purpose yards and 3 TDs while ECU HB #35 had 155 all-purpose yds. and 2 TDs.
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