Louisiana football opens new era Saturday vs. Rice

LAFAYETTE – The 124th season of Ragin’ Cajuns Football kicks off a new era on Saturday when Louisiana hosts American Conference member Rice in the official unveiling of the renovated Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. with coverage on ESPN+ featuring Dan McDonald (play-by-play), Eric Mouton (analyst) and Ben Schafer (sideline). Fans can also tune in on the Ragin’ Cajuns Radio Network, with veteran play-by-play announcer Jay Walker joined by Cody Junot (analyst) and Dawson Eiserloh (sideline).

Single-game tickets are available for as low as $25 and can be purchased through RaginCajuns.com and its social media platforms (Facebook, X/Twitter, Instagram).

Louisiana (10-4 in 2024), the preseason favorite to capture the Sun Belt Conference West Division, takes the field in its new home following a $65 million stadium renovation project that began after the 2023 season.

The matchup marks only the second all-time meeting in Lafayette between the Ragin’ Cajuns and Rice (4-8 in 2024), and the first since 1989. The two programs first met in 1921.

Fourth-year head coach Michael Desormeaux returns 40 letterwinners from last year’s squad, highlighted by All-Sun Belt standouts Jordan Lawson and Tyree Skipper. Preseason All-SBC selections Jax Harrington and George Jackson headline an offensive line that will feature three new starters in 2025.

At quarterback, Walker Howard returns home to lead an offense that features experienced wideouts Robert Williams, Caden Jensen and Jaydon Johnson, along with the running back duo of Zylan Perry and Bill Davis. Newcomers Shelton Sampson Jr., Brock Chappell and Trey Miller are expected to make an early impact.

Defensively, Louisiana brings back six starters under second-year coordinator Jim Salgado. Alongside Skipper and All-SBC honoree Cameron Whitfield, veterans Kadarius Miller, Jaden Dugger, Jalen Clark, Kody Jackson and Fitzgerald West Jr. will anchor a unit looking to build on last season’s success.