New Orleans Bowl: Nevada stands in way of ULL's fourth straight bowl win
R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl
Nevada (7-5) vs. Louisiana-Lafayette (8-4)
New Orleans, La.
Dec. 20, 2014
Louisiana-Lafayette will be in familiar territory for its 2014 bowl game.
The Ragin’ Cajuns will head east to the Superdome looking for its fourth straight win for a 10 a.m. local start in the New Orleans Bowl on Saturday against Nevada.
The Cajuns overcame a 1-3 to start to win seven of its last eight games, finishing 8-4 overall and second in the Sun Belt with a 7-1 conference record. Led by dual-threat senior quarterback Terrance Broadway, a three-year starter, and sophomore tailback Elijah McGuire, ULL put up an average of 229.4 yards rushing a game, 23rd in the country.
Broadway threw for 2,073 yards and 12 touchdowns while gaining 634 yards and three scores on the ground. McGuire racked up 1,165 yards and 14 touchdowns on 7.8 yards per carry. Additionally, 238-pound senior Alonzo Harris ran for 737 yards and 12 touchdowns.
At 7-5, the Wolf Pack had an up-and-down season, but it was certainly an improvement over a 4-8 2013 campaign. Like ULL, Nevada also features a heavy rushing attack with a dual-threat senior quarterback. Cody Fajardo had an impressive senior season, throwing for 2,374 yards and 18 touchdowns while also running for 997 yards and 13 scores.
Fajardo has a slew of playmakers to give the ball to, including three wideouts with 45 or more receptions – Richy Turner (58 catches, 541 yards, 4 TDs), Jerico Richardson (53-626-3) and Hasaan Henderson (45-579-4) – and running backs Don Jackson (932 yards, 7 TDs) and James Butler (620 yards, 5 TDs).
Though it gave up 28.2 points per game, Nevada’s defense forced 26 turnovers this season. If it can force the Ragin’ Cajuns to put the ball on the ground, the Wolf Pack could reverse its bowl fortunes in recent years. Nevada has reached postseason play in nine of the last 10 seasons, but won just one twice – once in 2005 and once in 2010.
ODDS
Nevada (-1)
FUN FACT
Though he is second on ULL in rushing yards this season due to the emergence of Elijah McGuire, Alonzo Harris is third in program history with 3,260 career rushing yards. With 76 yards on the ground against Nevada, Harris can pass 13-year NFL veteran Brian Mitchell (3,335 yards) in the school’s record book.
PREDICTIONS
Graham: Nevada 31, Louisiana-Lafayette 17: Both of these teams excel in their respective running games, but Nevada has a little more versatility and few more weapons. Also, the Wolf Pack defense has been strong this season, forcing 26 turnovers.
Nick: Nevada 33, Louisiana-Lafayette 28: We'll take the mullet over the bench press in this game, as ULL coach Mark Hudspeth will be unable to press his team to victory.
Sam: Louisiana-Lafayette 31, Nevada 24: There’s just something about the Ragin’ Cajuns in the New Orleans Bowl that makes it tough to pick against them. ULL’s three-headed rushing attack of Broadway, McGuire and Harris is going to be tough for the Wolf Pack to stop. Cody Fajardo is going to keep it close, but I like ULL to pull it out in its home state.
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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
