Ragin' Cajuns Spring Game A Success

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First year head coach Mark Hudspeth and Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns football team wrapped up spring practice and put on a show for over 5,000 fans at the Red & White Spring game on Saturday.

The game lasted four 12-minute quarters and covered all aspects of the game. The Red team, comprised of the first team offense and defense, downed the White team by a score of 37-3.

The first drive by the White team saw some big plays to start the game. Quarterback Blaine Gautier hooked up with Jacob Maxwell for an early 24 yard completion, before Aaron Spikes broke open a 20-yard run. But the drive stalled after facing 3rd and 23 when Pierre Hill's reception of 21 yards came up short.

The Red team was able to move the ball early on its first possession, thanks to the duo of Chris Masson and Ladarius Green. But penalties and a fumble gave the ball back to the White squad close to midfield.

After the turnover, Gautier led the White team down to the three-yard line, going 2-for-3 through the air, including a 21-yard pass to Maxwell. But the Red defense stood tall and the White team was forced to settle for a 25-yard field goal.

The Red team finally got a break at the start of the second quarter as Dwight Bentley picked off Gautier at White's 45-yard line.

Five plays later, Masson hooked up with Ladarius Green for a 17-yard touchdown. Key to the drive was a 27-yard hookup from Masson to James Butler on the opening play.

Red's defense came up big on the next possession as well. On the second play of the drive, Melvin White intercepted Gautier and got the ball to White's 11-yard line.

A penalty and loss of yardage spoiled the start of the drive, but Brett Baer split the uprights from 30 yards out with 6:16 left in the half.

The teams would punt away on the following drives but before the end of the half, the Red team was able to light up the scoreboard one more time.

With 33 seconds left in the half, four straight completions from Masson ended with a 25-yard touchdown to Javone Lawson. Lawson was responsible for three of the four catches, totaling 54 yards on the 88-yard drive.

The Red team kept the offensive pressure up at start of the second half. On the first play to open the second half, Aaron Spikes sprinted for 61 yards to the 12-yard line. Three plays later, Yobes Walker found the endzone from one yard out. Spikes had switched to the Red team during halftime.

Four minutes later, Walker was in the endzone again. The drive was set up by a Cooper Gerami interception off Terrance Broadway in the redzone at the 16-yard line. Seven plays later, Walker busted through the middle of the line for a score.

The fourth quarter was played with a running clock for the final 12 minutes. Both teams had a possession but only one was able to find the endzone.

Gautier, who guided the Red team offense in the second half, orchestrated a 13-play, 82 yard drive to tally the final points of the day. He was 6-for-7 for 43 yards passing while picking up 31 yards on the ground on three carries. Before the clock hit zero, Gautier connected from 10 yards out with Ian Thompson.

For the day, Masson led the quarterbacks on a 20-for27 throwing performance for 243 yards and two touchdowns.

Gautier finished at 173 yards passing on 15-for-22 throwing. He also threw one touchdown and had two passes intercepted.

Spikes led the charge in the ground game, racking up 91 yards on 11 carries. Walker piled on 41 yards on nine carries.

The receiving corps had a big day as three players hauled in at least 70 yards on the afternoon. Butler pulled in six catches for 106 yards, Lawson had 81 yards on receiving on six catches to go along with a touchdown and Jacob Maxwell had five receptions for 74 yards.

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