Harris Leads Cajuns to Eight Win

BOCA RATON, Fla.- Sophomore running back Alonzo Harris led the Cajun's 259 yards rushing attack with 127 yards in 21 carries as the Cajuns completed their regular season with the eight win 35-21 over Florida Atlantic Saturday afternoon.

The bowl bound Ragin' Cajuns took a while to take over the close football game against the Florida Atlantic Owls, but the Cajuns rushing attack amassed over 259 yards to control the clock.

Florida Atlantic jumped on the Cajuns early as William Dukes' first score of the game came on a 75-yard touchdown from senior quarterback Graham Wilbert. The scoreCajuns would tie the game at 7-7 after Louisiana's Terrance Broadway scored on a 77-yard rush on the third play of the game.

FAU took a 14-7 lead after an 11-yard rushing touchdown by junior running back Jonathan Wallace in the final minute of the first quarter.

The Ragin' Cajuns (8-4, 6-2 Sun Belt) scored a pair of touchdowns in the second quarter to hold a 21-14 halftime advantage. After a interception from Rodney Gillis, Louisiana's Alonzo Harris scored on a two-yard scamper with 7:17 left in the third quarter gave to the visitors a 28-14 lead.

FAU opened the scoring in the fourth quarter when Wilbert found Dukes on a cross pattern for a 42-yard touchdown that brought the Owls to within 28-21 with 13:16 left in the game. It was the ninth catch of the game for Dukes, who finished with 204 yards receiving.

After the Cajuns punted on their next possession, FAU got the ball back and was driving in Cajun territory, but Justin Anderson forced FAU’s Damian Fortner to fumble and Cordian Hagans recovered to stop the drive.

The Cajuns would quickly take advantage of the turnover. After 45-yard Broadway completion to Jamal Robinson down to the FAU 15, Alonzo Harris would score his third touchdown of the game on a two-yard run to put Louisiana ahead, 35-21 with 7:06 left.

After the Owls drove to the UL 20, Jemarlous Moten broke up a fourth-and-four pass with 4:48 to play. The Cajuns defense would hold on afterwards to keep the owls out of the endzone the rest of the game.

With the regular season complete, the Cajuns will take off next week for exams and have three weeks to prepare for their second consecutive bowl appearance, traveling to New Orleans to face East Carolina on Saturday, Dec. 22 beginning at 11:00 a.m. in the Mercedez-Benz Superdome.