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Despite a second half rally, the Troy Trojans (3-8, 2-5) fell by a score of 51-30 to the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns (9-2, 6-2) on the road Saturday.

After Troy took a 14-7 lead into the second quarter, the Cajuns reeled off 30 straight points before the Trojans began to rally and came with seven points in the fourth quarter. A kickoff return touchdown and a late touchdown sealed the win for the Cajuns.

Louisiana took a 7-0 lead on its first drive after a 20-yard touchdown pass from Chandler Fields to Tavion Smith. Troy answered right back, however, as Matthew Caldwell threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to Jackson Worley to tie things up 7-7 with 4:24 left in the first quarter. Then, as time expired in the opening period, Caldwell heaved a 30-yard touchdown pass on fourth down to Devonte Ross to give the Trojans a 14-7 lead going into the second.

The lead only lasted a few minutes, however, as Louisiana scored on a 1-yard touchdown run from Bill Davis to tie things up 14-14. Lousiana retook the lead on a 44-yard touchdown pass – after a Caldwell interception – and then booted a 38-yard field goal to go up 24-14 with 8:08 left in the first half.

Davis scored on a 3-yard run to extend the lead to 31-14 for the Cajuns. Louisiana booted a 32-yard field goal as time expired in the first half to take the 34-14 lead into the locker room.

After Louisiana opened the second half with a 46-yard field goal, to extend the lead to 37-14, the Trojans began to rally. First, Caldwell threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to Brody Dalton and then converted a two-point try to cut the elad to 37-14 with 5:45 left in the third quarter.

Next, Caldwell threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to Trae Swartz, on fourth-and-goal, with 11:31 left in the game. Caldwell converted the two-point try to Ross and the Trojans came within 37-30. That was as close as Troy would get, though, as Louisiana’s Robert Williams returned the ensuing kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown to extend the lead to 44-30 with 11:16 left.

With under four minutes remaining, Troy went for it on fourth down inside its own 5-yard line and the Cajuns made a stop. A few plays later, Davis converted a 1-yard touchdown run to seal things.
Troy totaled 397 yards of offense, while Louisiana racked up 417 yards. Troy turned the ball over three times but were unable to force any turnovers. Both teams were flagged seven times.

Caldwell completed 26-of-42 passes for 230 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions, while Ross caught eight passes for 95 yards and a score. Damien Taylor rushed for 67 yards on 16 carries. Jordan Stringer led the Troy defense with six tackles and one tackle-for-loss.

Four Louisiana, Fields completed 18-of-24 passes for 323 yards and two touchdowns, while Davis rushed for 64 yards and three touchdowns on 19 carries. Lance Legendre caught six passes for 109 yards and a score.

Troy will close out the season next week at home against Southern Miss at 1 p.m.