Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Football

The Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns football program, representing the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in NCAA Division I FBS, boasts a rich history since its inception in 1901 as the Southwestern Louisiana Industrial Institute's team, initially known as the Bulldogs. Adopting the moniker Ragin' Cajuns in 1974, the program has thrived, finding success and recognition. Cajun Field in Lafayette, Louisiana, has been the spirited battleground for the team since 1971. Under the guidance of Head Coach Michael Desormeaux since 2021, the program has experienced notable achievements, including a historic 13-1 season in 2021, marking the pinnacle of a remarkable era under former coach Billy Napier. The team's dedication extends beyond the field, with vital support from the Ragin Cajun Athletic Foundation (RCAF), exemplifying a united commitment to excellence across all sports. Notable NFL alumni, such as Jake Delhomme, Charles Tillman, and Levi Lewis, highlight the Cajuns' legacy of producing top-tier talent.

Name of Team	Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Football
First season	1901
Athletic director	Bryan Maggard
Head coach	Michael Desormeaux 2nd season, 12–13 (.480)
Stadium	Cajun Field (capacity: 41,426)
Location	Lafayette, Louisiana
Conference	Sun Belt Conference
Division	West
Field surface	Turf (ProGrass)
Conference titles	10
Division titles	4
Fight Song	‘Ragin' Cajuns Fight Song’
Rivalries	ULM (rivalry)Lamar (rivalry)McNeese State (rivalry)Southeastern Louisiana (rivalry)
Consensus All-Americans	4

The Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns football team proudly represents the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, a distinguished institution with a vibrant history and commitment to academic and athletic excellence. Initially established 1901 as the Southwestern Louisiana Industrial Institute, the university underwent name changes before adopting its title in 1999. Nestled in Lafayette, Louisiana, the university has been the backdrop for the Cajuns' gridiron pursuits at Cajun Field since 1971. With a strong emphasis on community and a dynamic athletic program, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette stands as a higher education pillar, fostering academic achievement and athletic prowess through its beloved Ragin' Cajuns football program.

Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns History

Before 1974, the team was officially known as the Bulldogs, though the current nickname, Ragin' Cajuns, had been widely used with the football team for about a decade before the official change.

Division History

Years	Division
1937–1962	National Junior College Athletic Association
1963–1972	NCAA College Division (Small College)
1973	NCAA Division II
1974–1977	NCAA Division I
1978–present	NCAA Division I-A (FBS)

Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Coach

Michael John Desormeaux, born on September 29, 1985, is an accomplished American gridiron football coach and former player currently leading the University of Louisiana at Lafayette's football program. Taking the helm as head coach since the conclusion of the 2021 season, Desormeaux previously contributed significantly to the team's success in various assistant coaching roles from 2016 to 2021, culminating in his role as co-offensive coordinator and tight ends coach in 2021. A standout college football player for Louisiana from 2004 to 2008, Desormeaux's prowess is evident in his top-ten rankings for passing yards, passing touchdowns, and rushing yards in the university's history.

Years coached	Name	Record
1901–1902	Ashby Woodson	3–2
1903	J. Ovey Herpin	1–1
1904	Edwin F. Gayle	2–0–1
1906	Herbert McNaspy	1–0–1
1907	Jefferson Caffery	1–0
1908–1911; 1913; 1917–1918	Clement J. McNaspy	34–15–4
1912	H. Lee Prather	3–4
1914–1915	R. B. Dunbar	10–5–1
1916; 1919; 1921–1930	T. R. Mobley	57–48–7
1920	Herbert O. Tudor	2–8
1931–1936	Truman F. Wilbanks	19–32–2
1937–1941; 1946	Johnny Cain	33–19–5
1942–1945	Louis Whittman	14–14–2
1947–1949	Gee Mitchell	18–8–1
1950	A. L. Swanson	5–4
1951–1956	Raymond Didier	29–23–2
1957	John Robert Bell	4–5–1
1958–1960	Red Hoggatt	11–17
1961–1973	Russ Faulkinberry	66–63–2
1974–1979	Augie Tammariello	30–35–2
1980–1985	Sam Robertson	29–34–2
1986–1998	Nelson Stokley	62–80–1
1999–2001	Jerry Baldwin	6–27
2002–2010	Rickey Bustle	41–65
2011–2017	Mark Hudspeth	29–38
2018–2021	Billy Napier	40–12
2021–present	Michael Desormeaux	13-13

Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Stadium: Cajun Field

Cajun Field, nestled on the South Campus of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in Lafayette, Louisiana, stands as the spirited home of the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns athletics, earning the affectionate moniker "The Swamp." With an official capacity of 41,426, including 2,577 chairback seats, it proudly is the largest facility and football stadium in the Sun Belt Conference, ranking as the second largest in the state. Constructed in 1970 and inaugurated on September 25, 1971, Cajun Field has witnessed historic moments, including the Cajuns' notable upset against 25th-ranked Texas A&M in 1996. Beyond college football, the stadium has accommodated various events, from hosting the New Orleans Bowl post-Hurricane Katrina to serving as the venue for the 1984 USFL preseason game featuring the New Orleans Breakers.

Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns

Lamar

Although no longer an active rivalry, the inaugural Sabine Shoe trophy was presented in 1937 to the SLI–Lamar football game victor. The name honors the Sabine River, the Texas-Louisiana border. Despite USL defeating Lamar in the 1978 rivalry, the Ragin' Cajuns didn't receive the trophy as it had disappeared. Today, the Sabine Shoe trophy is displayed in a trophy case at the Ragin' Cajun Athletic Complex.

Games played	First meeting	Last meeting	LA wins	LA losses	Ties	Win %
34	October 27, 1923 (won 19–16)	September 1, 2012 (won 40–0, vacated)	22	11	0	66.7%

McNeese State

A former rivalry featuring the Cajun Crown trophy between Louisiana and McNeese State when it was active.

Games played	First meeting	Last meeting	LA wins	LA losses	Ties	Win %
38	September 22, 1951 (won 35–14)	September 10, 2016 (won 30–22)	16	20	2	44.7%

Southeastern Louisiana

Another past rivalry, the Cypress Mug, a polished mahogany mug, was awarded to the Southwestern–Southeastern football game winner.

Games played	First meeting	Last meeting	LA wins	LA losses	Ties	Win %
41	November 11, 1930 (won 13–0)	September 3, 2022 (won 24–7)	21	17	3	54.9%

Louisiana–Monroe

The Battle on the Bayou is the annual rivalry between the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns and Louisiana–Monroe. The wooden boot-shaped trophy was established in 2002 for the victorious team.

Games played	First meeting	Last meeting	LA wins	LA losses	Ties	Win %
58	September 15, 1951 (lost 7–13)	September 24, 2022 (lost 17–21)	31	26	0	54.4%

Appalachian State

Games played	First meeting	Last meeting	LA wins	LA losses	Ties	Win %
11	November 22, 2014 (lost 16–35)	December 4, 2021 (won 24–16)	3	8	0	27.3%

Arkansas State

Games played	First meeting	Last meeting	LA wins	LA losses	Ties	Win %
51	October 17, 1953 (lost 12–13)	October 22, 2022 (won 38–18)	29	21	1	58.2%

Louisiana Tech

Games played	First meeting	Last meeting	LA wins	LA losses	Ties	Win %
87	1910 (lost 0-75)	October 3, 2015 (lost 14-43)	33	48	6	41.38%

The Cajun Crown Trophy

The Cajun Crown stands as the esteemed rivalry trophy contested between the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns and the McNeese Cowboys in college football. Established in 1951, the two teams have engaged in 38 intense matchups, with McNeese currently holding a 20–16–2 historical advantage. Originally an annual series, the frequency of the games diminished after McNeese's transition from NCAA Division I-A to Division I-AA in 1982. This gridiron competition symbol represents the two teams' shared history and competitive spirit. The next clash for the Cajun Crown is anticipated on September 6, 2025, adding another chapter to this storied rivalry.

No.	Date	Location	Winner	Score
1	September 22, 1951	Lake Charles, LA	Southwestern Louisiana	35–14
2	November 22, 1952	Lake Charles, LA	Southwestern Louisiana	20–13
3	November 21, 1953	Lafayette, LA	Southwestern Louisiana	47–13
4	November 20, 1954	Lake Charles, LA	Southwestern Louisiana	55–12
5	November 19, 1955	Lafayette, LA	McNeese State	12–7
6	November 17, 1956	Lake Charles, LA	Southwestern Louisiana	35–33
7	November 23, 1957	Lafayette, LA	McNeese State	13–0
8	November 22, 1958	Lake Charles, LA	McNeese State	9–8
9	November 21, 1959	Lafayette, LA	Southwestern Louisiana	19–14
10	November 19, 1960	Lake Charles, LA	McNeese State	29–10
11	November 18, 1961	Lafayette, LA	McNeese State	25–0
12	November 17, 1962	Lake Charles, LA	McNeese State	19–0
13	November 23, 1963	Lafayette, LA	McNeese State	14–7
14	November 21, 1964	Lake Charles, LA	McNeese State	24–9
15	November 20, 1965	Lafayette, LA	Southwestern Louisiana	14–7
16	November 19, 1966	Lake Charles, LA	Southwestern Louisiana	7–0
17	November 18, 1967	Lafayette, LA	Southwestern Louisiana	31–6
18	November 23, 1968	Lake Charles, LA	Southwestern Louisiana	12–7
19	November 22, 1969	Lafayette, LA	Southwestern Louisiana	21–17
20	November 21, 1970	Lake Charles, LA	Southwestern Louisiana	13–7

No.	Date	Location	Winner	Score
21	November 19, 1971	Lafayette, LA	McNeese State	20–10
22	November 25, 1972	Lake Charles, LA	Southwestern Louisiana	10–0
23	November 24, 1973	Lafayette, LA	McNeese State	37–0
24	September 21, 1974	Lake Charles, LA	McNeese State	38–0
25	November 22, 1975	Lafayette, LA	McNeese State	33–21
26	November 20, 1976	Lake Charles, LA	McNeese State	20–19
27	November 19, 1977	Lafayette, LA	Tie	9–9
28	November 25, 1978	Lake Charles, LA	McNeese State	44–18
29	November 17, 1979	Lafayette, LA	McNeese State	10–6
30	November 22, 1980	Lake Charles, LA	McNeese State	14–0
31	November 21, 1981	Lafayette, LA	McNeese State	14–7
32	November 20, 1982	Lake Charles, LA	Tie	10–10
33	November 12, 1983	Lafayette, LA	Southwestern Louisiana	48–16
34	November 10, 1984	Lake Charles, LA	McNeese State	30–17
35	November 16, 1985	Lafayette, LA	McNeese State	14–3
36	November 15, 1986	Lake Charles, LA	Southwestern Louisiana	33–13
37	September 15, 2007	Lafayette, LA	McNeese State	38–17
38	September 10, 2016	Lafayette, LA	Louisiana–Lafayette	30–22

Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Records and Stats

Louisiana forfeited the 2013 Sun Belt Conference co-championship due to significant NCAA violations. The 2020 championship game was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic affecting Coastal Carolina. Despite Coastal Carolina being considered the 2020 Sun Belt Champions for College Football Playoff purposes, Lafayette Mayor-President Josh Guillory, recognizing the committee's limited jurisdiction, officially declared the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns football team as the 2020 sole champions of the Sun Belt Conference in football to preserve their achievements.

Conference Championships

Louisiana has won 10, with the 2013 championship later vacated.

Year	Conference	Coach	Conference record	Overall record
1952	Gulf States Conference	Raymond Didier	3–0–2	5–2–2
1965		Russ Faulkinberry	4–1	7–3
1968			5–1	8–2
1970			5–0	9–3
1993†	Big West Conference	Nelson Stokley	5–1	8–3
1994†	Big West Conference	Nelson Stokley	5–1	6–5
2005†	Sun Belt Conference	Rickey Bustle	5–2	6–5
2013†‡		Mark Hudspeth	5–2	9–4
2020†^		Billy Napier	7–1	10–1
2021		Billy Napier	8–0	13–1

Division Championships

Louisiana has won four division championships with the most recent in the 2021 season.

Year	Division	Coach	Conf. record	Overall record	Opponent	CG Result
2018	Sun Belt West	Billy Napier	5–3	7–7	Appalachian State	L 19–30
2019	7–1	11–3	Appalachian State	L 38–45
2020	7–1	10–1	Coastal Carolina	No Contest^
2021	8–0	13–1	Appalachian State	W 24–16

^ The 2020 championship game was not played due to Coastal Carolina impacted by COVID-19 pandemic.

Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Rosters

The Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns football team boasts a diverse roster featuring skilled players across various positions. Key quarterbacks include Romin Bradley, Chantz Ceaser, and Chandler Fields, offering depth and talent. Running backs, led by Damondrick Blackburn and Jacob Kibodi, showcase a mix of power and agility. The receiving corps, highlighted by Landon Baptiste, adds a dynamic dimension to the offense. With a blend of experienced seniors and promising freshmen, the roster balances talent and potential. Each player brings a unique skill set, contributing to the team's competitive edge and representing regions like Louisiana, Texas, and California.

Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Schedule

The Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns football team's regular season showcased a dynamic and competitive journey. Starting with a convincing win against Northwestern State, they faced challenging matchups, including a notable victory over UAB. Despite some setbacks, the team displayed resilience, securing crucial wins against Texas State, South Alabama, and UL Monroe. Highlight performances came from quarterbacks such as Zeon Chriss and Chandler Fields while running backs like Elijah Davis and Kendrell Williams contributed significantly. The season concluded on a high note with a decisive win against UL Monroe, ending with a 6-6 record and notable individual achievements across passing, rushing, and receiving categories.

FAQs

Answer: Cajun Field is located on the South Campus of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in Lafayette, Louisiana.

Answer: Michael Desormeaux has been serving as the head coach since the conclusion of the 2021 season.

Answer: Notable rivalry trophies include the Cajun Crown with McNeese State and the Sabine Shoe with Lamar.

Answer: Although the 2020 championship game was not played, Lafayette Mayor-President Josh Guillory declared the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns as the sole champions to honor their accomplishments.

Answer: The program has produced NFL talents such as Jake Delhomme, Charles Tillman, and Levi Lewis, among others.