JJ Garner leads Louisiana-Lafayette to bowl-eligibility again with 28-26 win over South Alabama

Lafayette's JJ Garner returned the opening kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown and rushed for 136 yards as the Ragin' Cajuns secured a 28-26 victory over South Alabama. This marked the team's eighth consecutive season to reach bowl eligibility, placing it ninth on the all-time list. The game featured standout performances from both offense and defense, with the final play coming from Micah Johnson, who intercepted a Bishop Davenport pass late in the contest.

Garner's kickoff return touchdown put the Ragin' Cajuns ahead early, and he continued his prolific performance with a 65-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, extending the lead to 14-7. South Alabama tied the game when Jaylen Moson intercepted a pass and returned it 72 yards for a score. The Ragin' Cajuns took the lead midway through the third quarter when Lunch Winfield threw a 27-yard touchdown pass to Shelton Sampson Jr., leading 28-17.

Davenport answered with a 45-yard touchdown run for the Jaguars, bringing the score to 28-23. However, Lafayette secured the win with a 45-yard touchdown run by Davenport in the final quarter, and a 50-yard field goal by Dylan Freebury. Winfield completed 147 passing yards with a touchdown and added 97 rushing yards, scoring another touchdown.

The Ragin' Cajuns accumulated 312 yards on the ground for the game. South Alabama's Davenport threw for 210 yards and two rushing touchdowns. Lafayette's Brendan Jenkins caught six passes for 101 yards. Lafayette's next game will be against UL Monroe on Thursday, while South Alabama will face Troy next Saturday.