New Orleans Bowl: Jacksonville State Survive OT Thriller Against Louisiana

In a matchup of CUSA vs Sun Belt in the New Orleans Bowl, Jacksonville State beat Louisiana 34-31 in the first overtime game of this bowl season. Jacksonville

© Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

In a matchup of CUSA vs Sun Belt in the New Orleans Bowl, Jacksonville State beat Louisiana 34-31 in the first overtime game of this bowl season.

Jacksonville State will finish their first season as a member of FBS with their first bowl win as well. 

Louisiana will finish with a 6-7 record for the second-straight season.

Here's what stood out in a nervy duel at the Super Dome. 

Cajun Defense Keeps It Exciting In First Half

While the Louisiana offense struggled to pick up any steam early, a pair of defensive scores in the first half kept the Cajuns alive, both by Jalen Clark. Clark returned a fumble for a touchdown on the opening possession, then returned an interception for a touchdown late in the second quarter.

The first half ended in a 14-14 tie.

Gamecocks' Two-QB System 

For better or worse, the Jax State quarterbacks were difference makers in this game.

 Zion Webb started the game completing 14 passes on 26 attempts for 156 yards with one touchdown pass and two interceptions. Webb also rushed for 70 yards. When things weren't clicking for him, head coach Rich Rodriguez would sub in Nebraska transfer Logan Smothers. Smothers completed six passes on nine attempts for 80 yards with one interception. Smothers did rush for a touchdown in addition to 39 yards.

It was ultimately Webb who led the eight-play, 70-yard scoring drive that tied the game in the final two minutes.

Freshman Kicker Prevails

The Cajuns had the ball first in overtime. Junior Kenneth Almendares missed from 43 yards out. That opened the door for the Gamecocks to win the game on their OT possession. Freshman kicker Garrison Rippa could be seen trying to keep himself calm in the minutes leading up to it, but he ultimately pushed a 27-yarder through the uprights to seal the victory. 

Rich Rodriguez is now 6-6 all-time in FBS bowl games. It's his first bowl win since the 2015 New Mexico Bowl when he was the head coach of Arizona. He has now won a bowl game with three different FBS schools (Jax State, Arizona, West Virginia).