D'Wayne' Winfield produced eight of Louisiana's eleven explosive plays
Louisiana was in control wire to wire. What the rout was actually built on.
There was no drama to speak of. Louisiana dismantles Lamar, 38-7 at Cajun Field. Louisiana led from start to finish and never let Lamar within striking distance. Darrell Smith ran 10 times for 84 yards and two scores.
The big plays only went one way
Louisiana produced 11 plays of 15+ yards to Lamar's 2, chiefly D'Wayne' Winfield (involved in 8), Caden Jensen (involved in 3) and Darrell Smith (involved in 2). Louisiana scored on 58% of its drives to Lamar's 0%: D'Wayne' Winfield (6 pts), Darrell Smith (12 pts) and Anthony Reagan Jr. (6 pts). Stacked together, it was never close.
How the two sides actually played on the night.
The difference-makers
D'Wayne' Winfield threw for 189 yards on 21 attempts and ran eight times for 84 yards and one score, with two third-down conversions and a hand in eight plays of 15 yards or more. Darrell Smith ran 10 times for 84 yards and two scores, with that score from inside the 20. Caden Jensen caught five passes for 77 yards — a hand in three plays of 15 yards or more. For Lamar, Malachi Casey caught three passes for 26 yards, including three third-down conversions. Kyndon Fuselier caught three passes for 35 yards. Aiden McCown threw for 126 yards on 26 attempts and ran four times for 11 yards, including four third-down conversions. Brent Gordon Jr. was the disruptive one for Louisiana: 0.5 TFL, 1 INT, 2 PBUs, 5 tackles.
What Lamar has to fix
The problems had names: Aiden McCown (3 interceptions) and Parker Jenkins (1 lost fumble).
The disruptive ones
Two names to keep, all for Louisiana: Brent Gordon Jr. (0.5 TFL, 1 INT, 2 PBUs, 5 tackles) and J.St. Andre (1 TFL, 1 INT, 4 tackles). 1 of Louisiana's 3 sacks came from the defensive line, which is how this defense has generated pressure since 2016.
How we got here
Louisiana struck first through Darrell Smith, led 28-0 at the half and Louisiana got the final points on a late field goal by Tony Sterner.
How it graded
The closing line had Louisiana -20.5. Louisiana covered. The total was 48.5; the teams combined for 45, an under. Darrell Smith accounted for 12 of Louisiana's points.
Where it leaves them
Historically similar games since 2019 — close margin, both offenses held far below norm — and how often that offense outperformed this level the following week.
Louisiana cleared the bar with room to spare; Lamar goes back to the drawing board.
Discussion
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