Week 4: Kent State at Louisiana-Lafayette

There are no conference standings on the line in this contest, but a win would provide a pick-me-up similar to a league contest. Both teams are fighting downward slides and need a feel-good victory. Louisiana-Lafayette is coming off a 3-9 season and has lost two straight to open the year, including a 20-17 loss to Illinois that barely got away from the Ragin’ Cajuns. Kent State beat FCS-member Delaware State 24-3 last week, but it has lost nine straight to FBS teams.

The win should go to the team that protects the football, for a change. Kent State has committed 10 turnovers in three games, the second-most in the country. ULL hasn’t fared much better, committing six turnovers in two games. The teams almost mirror each other offensively in positive ways, as well. Both like to run the ball, but neither has fully hit its stride yet.

Kent State running back Eugene Jarvis, the nation’s leading returning rusher from last season, has yet to break out. He had 139 yards versus Iowa State, but only 68 yards and no TDs in the other two games. ULL running back Tyrell Fenroy broke the Cajuns’ career rushing record last week, but he only has 76 yards on the year after recovering from a head injury. Quarterback Michael Desormeaux has picked up some of the rushing slack, but Fenroy must return to his previous form to snag ULL’s first win.

Notes:

ULL is ranked 113th in total defense, but that’s deceiving. Southern Miss racked up 633 yards, but the Cajuns held Illinois to only 341 yards in an improved performance.

ULL offensive lineman Jamal Nasser is out with a knee injury, and wide receiver Derrick Smith is questionable with an ankle injury.

This is the first meeting between ULL and Kent State.

Kent State is awaiting a breakout game from a wide receiver. No wideout has reached 10 receptions yet, and leading pass-catcher Shawn Bayes has a meager season-high of 68 yards in one game.

Key Player (Golden Flashes) — Derek Burrell, LB

The senior has made at least 10 tackles in seven consecutive games and leads the MAC in takedowns. His first priority will be slowing ULL’s ground game.

Key Player (Ragin’ Cajuns) — Tyrell Fenroy, RB

The three-time 1,000 yard rusher is well behind his usual pace, but that could change against a mediocre Kent State defense. Fenroy needs to be involved early. He caught a career-high six passes last week, but he didn’t have holes to run through.

ULL by 10