Louisiana edges Wake Forest on Kenneth Almendares' FG

Field Level Media|published: Sat 28th September, 19:32 2024

Sep 28, 2024; Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA; Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns quarterback Ben Wooldridge (10) throws a touchdown pass under pressure by Wake Forest Demon Deacons defensive lineman Jasheen Davis (30) during the first half at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Kenneth Almendares delivered the go-ahead 31-yard field goal with 52 seconds left to lift Louisiana over Wake Forest 41-38 in a non-conference game Saturday in Winston-Salem, N.C.

Ben Wooldridge completed 20 of 29 passes for 257 yards and three touchdowns without an interception for Louisiana. Two of his touchdowns went to Lance Legendre, who finished with six catches for 123 yards for the Ragin' Cajuns (3-1).

Wake Forest quarterback Hank Bachmeier tallied for 254 yards with a touchdown and an interception on 30-of-36 passing. Tate Carney had three 1-yard rushing touchdowns for the Demon Deacons (1-3), who never led in the game.

Carney's third touchdown tied the score with 1:55 remaining, but Zylan Perry returned the ensuing kickoff 57 yards to the Wake Forest 43, leading to the winning kick.

Bachmeier drove the Demon Deacons to the Louisiana 24, but Matthew Dennis' 42-yard field goal hit the left upright and fell into the end zone as time expired.

Louisiana received the second-half kickoff and drove to Almendares' 50-yard field goal that increased the Cajuns' lead to 24-17.

On the ensuing possession, Demond Claiborne, who left the game in the first half because of a knee injury, ran 60 yards for a touchdown to tie the score.

Louisiana answered with Wooldridge's 48-yard touchdown pass to Legendre to take a 31-24 lead.

Carney's second touchdown run tied the score at the end of the third quarter.

Tyree Skipper intercepted Bachmeier for the game's only takeaway and returned it to the Wake Forest 38 early in the fourth quarter. Louisiana capitalized on Bill Davis's 2-yard run to pull ahead 38-31 with 8:07 left.

On the Cajuns' first possession of the game, Wooldridge completed all eight of his passes for 57 yards, including a 2-yard touchdown throw to Tavion Smith for a 7-0 lead.

The Deacons drove to Dennis' 39-yard field goal before Davis' 60-yard run set up Wooldridge's 1-yard plunge that gave Louisiana a 14-3 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Carney's first touchdown trimmed the lead to 14-10 before Wooldridge threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Legendre.

Bachmeier answered with a 3-yard touchdown pass to Deuce Alexander, leaving Louisiana with a 21-17 halftime lead.

--Field Level Media

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