Football takes on Louisiana at home

Troy football kicks off a two-game homestand against Sun Belt Conference foe Louisiana this Saturday night at Veterans Memorial Stadium. 

Troy enters the game on a four-game win streak after starting its season 1-2. The Trojans are 3-0 in conference play for the first time since 2018.  

Louisiana sits at 2-5 and 1-2 in conference play. The Ragin’ Cajuns beat Marshall in a 54-51 shootout but lost their last two games against James Madison and Southern Miss. Both conference losses came to teams who remain undefeated in conference play. 

Troy and Louisiana are technically dead even in the all-time series. Troy has beaten Louisiana 11 times. Although the Ragin’ Cajuns have won 14 times, three of them were vacated by the NCAA. Troy has won two of the last three matchups.  

Louisiana is led by running back Zylan Perry. The junior has five rushing touchdowns and 466 yards. He averages 6.5 yards per carry, the fifth mostin the Sun Belt. Bill Davis also has a strong presence in the backfield with 397 yards and three touchdowns.  

The quarterback situation for Louisiana remains in question. Ole Miss transfer Walker Howard was supposed to be the starter this season butsuffered an injury in the opening season loss to Rice. 

Daniel Beale held the starting role after Howard, but after two interceptions he was replaced during the Marshall game. Sophomore Lunch Winfield came in relief and fired off two touchdowns to win in double overtime. While Winfield got the start against Southern Miss, Walker Howard did see action later in the game. He went 2-for-6 and threw an interception. 

Regardless of the starting quarterback, Louisiana has struggled in the passing game. The trio combined for five touchdowns and eight interceptions through the first seven games. 

Jalen Dugger has been the shining light of a defense that has often struggled. Despite Louisiana allowing 30 points or more in three games so far, the senior linebacker has a team-high 68 tackles and one sack. The next most tackles on the team are 45 from Terrance Williams. 

As Troy hopes to earn a bowl bid with a win this weekend, the Trojans will need to limit the run attack from Louisiana and force the quarterbackroom for the Ragin’ Cajuns to throw the football. Taking away the one-two punch of Zylan Perry and Bill Davis will severely hinder Louisiana’s ability to move downfield. 

The Trojans take on Louisiana this Saturday at 6 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is at 6 p.m. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ and the Troy Sports Media Network.