Bobcats fall to Louisiana 34-30 as 'Cajun Curse' stretches to 11 games

The Cajun Curse rages on as the Texas State Bobcats fell to Louisiana 34-30 on Saturday.

The Bobcats fall to 0-11 all-time against Louisiana.

Texas State held a 30-21 lead over the Cajuns following an 18-yard touchdown pass from T.J. Finley to Joey Hobert.

On the next possession, the Texas State defense took down Louisiana quarterback Zeon Chriss twice, to force 3rd down and 20.

But the Cajuns converted on the long pass play as Louisiana proceeded to drive down the field, before scoring on a five-yard pass from Chriss to Robert Williams to make it a 3028 game.

Despite the Bobcats gaining one first down, Texas State was unable to pick up another first down and were forced to punt.

Disaster struck for Texas State as Louisiana blocked the punt, putting the ball on the Bobcat 22-yard line.

The Cajuns capitalized as Chriss scored an eightyard touchdown run to give Louisiana their first lead of the game at 34-30.

Needing a touchdown to retake the lead, the Bobcats started to drive down to midfield.

Again, disaster struck as Texas State gained the first down and looked to be at midfield only to fumble the ball with Louisiana recovering.

The Cajuns kneeled out the rest of the game to seal the win.

Proceeding the fourth quarter, Texas State opened the game with an opening drive touchdown as the Bobcats drove 75-yards before scoring on a Ismail Mahdi 10 yard rushing touchdown to go up 7-0.

The Cajuns answered back as Chriss found Dre’lyn Washington for the four yard touchdown pass to tie it up at 7-7.

Texas State answered back with a Mason Shipley 37-yard field goal to put the Bobcats up 10-7.

Forcing a Louisiana punt, Texas State again took advantage as Finley hit Kole Wilson for the two yard touchdown pass as Texas State went up 177.

Despite the Cajuns driving down inside the redzone, the Bobcat defense came up big forcing and recovering the fumble.

Texas State drove down to the Louisiana three yard line but were unable to come away with seven points as Shipley tacked on another field goal to make it 20-7.

Louisiana answered back with a touchdown drive of their own, as Chriss found Peter LeBlanc for the 34yard touchdown pass as the Cajuns cut the lead down to 20-14.

Texas State again cut up the Louisiana defense and drove down to the Cajun 25 yard line.

The Cajun defense held firm as Texas State was unable to convert on fourth down before halftime.

The opening possession of the second half for the Cajuns ended in a turnover, as the Bobcats once again forced and recovered the fumble.

The Bobcats drove down to the Louisiana 22-yard line but were unable to come away with seven points and settled for Shipley’s third field goal kick of the game to go up 23-14.

The Cajuns answered back with a 82-yard touchdown drive to make it a 23-21 game before the fourth quarter.

Despite the Bobcats gaining 530 yards of offense with 326 yards passing from Finley and 188 yards rushing from Ismail Mahdi, Texas State was unable to convert in the red zone three times, ending with two field goals and a failed fourth down conversion.

Texas State returns home Saturday as the Bobcats take on the Louisiana Monroe Warhawks.

cmcwilliams@ sanmarcosrecord.om Twitter: @ColtonBMc