Ragin’ Cajuns prevail with OT victory

ATLANTA » Louisiana- Lafayette coach Billy Napier was concerned about Saturday’s game at Georgia State.

Turns out he had good reason. “I think human nature, when everybody’s patting you on the back, maybe you relax a little bit,” Napier said. “I feel like we practiced well. I feel like practice was up to par. I do think that, no matter what, some of that has a residual effect on you. I think it’s important we learned a good lesson here.”

Elijah Mitchell rushed for 164 yards, including the winning touchdown in overtime, and No. 19 Louisiana- Lafayette topped Georgia State 34- 31.

The Ragin’ Cajuns ( 2- 0, 1- 0 Sun Belt Conference) were ranked for the first time since 1943 following last week’s 20- point win at Iowa State.

Louisiana- Lafayette was a 17point favorite, but trailed 14- 7 at intermission and Levi Lewis then threw an interception on the opening drive of the second half.

The Panthers ( 0- 1, 0- 1) answered by taking a 21- 7 lead on Marcus Carroll’s 2- yard run, but the advantage didn’t last very long.

Lewis, who completed 21 of 37 passes for 279 yards, rolled left to complete a 4- yard touchdown pass that cut the lead to 21- 14 midway through the third quarter, and then Mitchell got going.

“We put it in our head it was going to come sooner or later,” Mitchell said. “The time came. We made adjustments and stuff, and it started happening in the second half. The offensive line, they really stepped it up in the second half and we made it happen.”