Mean Green Comeback Stuns Cajuns 30-23

Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns had a 13-6 halftime lead and scored on its first possession of the second half to take a two touchdown lead.

But for the Mean Green of North Texas, that was no big deal.

North Texas outscored the Cajuns 24-3 after that first drive and the Mean Green surprised the Cajuns 30-23 Tuesday night at Apogee Stadium.

The Cajuns (4-2., 2-1 Sun Belt) took a 13-6 halftime lead on a one yard run by Effrem Reed and a 75 yard run by Terrance Broadway.  And, when the Cajuns made it 20-6 on a touchdown pass from Broadway to Harry Peoples, the Cajuns looked to be in good shape.

But North Texas (3-4, 2-1) outgained the Cajuns 360-144 in the second half and got a touchdown pass from Derek Thompson to Antoine Jimmerson to cut the lead to 20-13.  On the ensuing possession, the Cajuns were stopped deep in their own territory and North Texas took over after a short punt to the Cajuns 34.  After an incompletion, Brelen Chancellor scored from 34 yards out on an end around to tie the game.

Again, the Cajuns couldn't move the football and the Mean Green then drove 77 yards on 13 plays.  Zach Olen's third field goal of the game gave North Texas their first lead at 23-20.

But the Cajuns came back on a seven play, 18 yard drive and Brett Baer's field goal from 47 tied the score with 3:01 left in the fourth quarter.  But on third and eight, Thompson hit Jimmerson with a screen and the redshirt freshman took it 78 yards for the game winner.

The Cajun shad one more chance, but on the first play from the UL 25, Effrem Reed fumbled and Marcus Trice recovered at the UL 32 and the Mean Green ran out the clock.

The Cajuns were outgained 534-371 in the contest and converted only five of 14 first downs.

Louisiana played without Alonzo Harris who missed the game with an illness and lost Harry Peoples on his touchdown catch early in the third quarter with a shoulder injury.

The Cajuns will be on national television again next week when the entertain Arkansas State at Cajun Field Tuesday night at 7pm.