COUNTDOWN TO KICKOFF

Bobcats look to snap streak against rival Ragin Cajuns

Countdown to Kickoff Series follows the 2023 season for the Texas State Bobcats under new Head Coach G.J. Kinne.

This week will look at Texas State’s road showdown with the rival Louisiana Ragin Cajuns.

In last year’s meeting between the Cajuns and the Bobcats, Louisiana rolled Texas State 41-13 in the final game for then head coach Jake Spavital.

Texas State’s lone highlight of the game was running back Lincoln Pare who rushed for 221 yards on 21 carries and one touchdown.

Louisiana finished the 2022 season with a 6-6 record with the win against Texas State making the Ragin Cajuns bowl eligible for the fifth straight year.

Louisiana qualified for the Independence Bowl where they fell to the Houston Cougars in a 23-16 loss.

Heading into the 2023 season, the Ragin Cajuns are predicted to finish third in the Sun Belt West standings according to Bill Connelly’s SP+ ratings standings.

Ragin Cajuns enter the 2023 campaign with a -4.8 SP+ rating while also having a 23.5 offensive rating and a 28.3 defensive rating.

The Cajuns return starting quarterback Ben Wooldridge who finished last season throwing for 1,661 yards and fifteen touchdowns with only five interceptions.

Though Louisiana will be anchored by a strong offensive line, the Cajuns will look to rebuild with playmakers both at running back and wide receiver.

The defense will be held up by defensive back Trey Amos who had 36 tackles along with 27 solo tackles for the Cajuns.

Though the defense will have to replace several starters, the Cajuns will look to still be a dominant force.

Since joining the Sun Belt in 2013, Texas State and Louisiana have played every year in football with both the Bobcats and the Cajuns having no prior history despite both being in the Southland Conference at one time.

Kickoff for the Bobcats and the Ragin Cajuns will be October 7 in Lafayette, Louisiana with a kickoff time yet to be determined.

cmcwilliams@sanmarcosrecord.com Twitter: @ColtonBMc