University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
Idaho
Rekieta Rallies Cajuns Past Vandals For Homecoming Victory
11/2/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
Saturday, Nov. 2, 2002
Statistical Recap
LAFAYETTE - In a game appeared to be headed for a blowout, Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns stormed back from an 11-point fourth quarter deficit to take a 31-28 homecoming victory over Idaho. The Cajuns improve to 2-7 (1-3), while Idaho falls to 2-7 (1-2).
A key fourth down conversion by UL Lafayette led to the go-ahead touchdown.
Eric Rekieta, in the game for an injured Jon Van Cleave, hit Wayne Stein with a three-yard screen pass on fourth-and-two at the Idaho 30-yard line with just under three minutes remaining in the game. Rekieta led the Cajuns on a 14-play, 87-yard drive culminating in a three-yard touchdown run by Jerome Coleman with 49 seconds remaining. A play-action pass on the two-point conversion was executed perfectly resulting in a connection between Rekieta and receiver Bill Sampy.
A game tying 46-yard field goal attempt by Keith Stamps was wide right as time expired.
Trailing 28-17, Louisiana-Lafayette's Patrick Lamy intercepted Brian Lindgren near midfield and returned the ball to the Idaho 37-yard line. After a Dwight Lindon rush of three yards, Rekieta hit Fred Stamps over the middle for a 34-yard score. The two-point conversion failed as the Cajuns trailed 28-23.
The game appeared to headed toward a blowout after Idaho scored three quick touchdowns, building a 21-7 lead. In fact, the Idaho offense needed the ball for less than three minutes to build a 14-0 lead.
The Vandals came out throwing on their first possession. Brian Lindgren completed three of his first four passes for 50 yards, including a 17-yard touchdown toss to Jeff Stowe.
For the second straight possession, Lindgren came out firing. He completed four consecutive passes for 71 yards, with his last going to Eric Hunter for a 10-yard touchdown.
The Cajuns got back into the game with just one play. On third-and-eight, Van Cleave found a wide-open Andre George deep downfield for a 75-yard touchdown. The play came after Van Cleave was forced to scramble out of the pocket to his right by the Vandals pass rush. The reception extended George's receiving streak to 30 games.
Idaho answered right back. Cedric Thompson returned Jonathon Knott's kickoff 52-yards down to the Cajuns 35-yard line. A pass interference penalty gave the Vandals a first-and-goal situation. On third down, Lindgren hit Christopher Belser in the end zone for a five-yard touchdown. With 4:42 still remaining in the first quarter, UI led 21-7.
Lindgren was intercepted by Ricky Calais to give UL Lafayette excellent field position. On third-and-11, Van Cleave hit a streaking Eric Bartel in the end zone for a 41-yard touchdown pass. The reception was Bartel's fifth of the season and his second career touchdown. The Cajuns trailed by seven, 21-14.
Terryl Fenton intercepted Lindgren and returned the ball 44 yards down to the Idaho 21-yard line with 65 seconds left in the first half. The Cajuns could not score and settled for a 22-yard field goal from Sean Comiskey. The field goal was the first for Comiskey since connecting on a 45-yard attempt against UAB, a span of 18 quarters without a field goal.
Idaho marched 70 yards in ten plays to open the second half with a one-yard touchdown run by Blair Lewis. The score extended the Idaho lead to 28-17.
The Vandals were poised to increase their lead when a fumble by Lewis inside the UL Lafayette red zone gave the ball back to the Cajuns on their own six-yard line. The Cajuns were unable to sustain a drive and punted the ball back to Idaho. UI was able to move into field range, but Stamps missed his 39-yard attempt.
-Ragin' Cajuns-
