Here's why Louisiana football's Week 11 win over ULM was its best game yet

Ahead of Louisiana football’s showdown against Louisiana-Monroe, Michael Desormeaux called the matchup his team’s biggest test of the season.It wasn’t just because the Ragin’ Cajuns were facing their cross state rivals, or because it was a Sun Belt Conference Western division matchup on the road inside St. Francis Stadium in Monroe.This game would determine the growth of this UL team at Week 11 of the college football season. The Cajuns (7-3, 4-2) showed tremendous growth as they snagged win No. 7 of the season, beating ULM 42-21 on Thursday, Nov. 12 in Monroe.The first half was nothing but a dogfight, with the Warhawks (2-8, 2-4) taking the first blow on an eight-minute touchdown drive. UL delivered the next blow, with Lunch Winfield connecting with wide receiver Shelton Sampson Jr. By the second half, the Cajuns defense took over for a half of complimentary football.Here’s why the Cajuns’ victory over their rivals was their best outing of the 2026 season.Cajuns’ defense leads to offenseKnotted up 14-14 at the half, it was still anybody’s game. It had been a first half filled with adversity for the Cajuns. From allowing ULM’s quarterback Austin Carlisle to run all over them to outside linebacker Ashley Williams being carted off the field, the Cajuns had every reason to let lie down an accept defeat.UL’s defense had other plans though. To start the third quarter, safety Collin Jacob forced a fumble and linebacker Micah Johnson was right there to scoop it up and score it from 18 yards out.The Cajuns’ next score was another direct result of their defense as they forced another ULM fumble. This time, defensive lineman Maurion Eleam forced the fumble and Johnson was there again for his second fumble recovery of the night. Freshman running back JJ Garner cashed in on the turnover with a 19-yard rushing touchdown.UL would go on to score 28 points unanswered, locking in not only on defensively but offensively as well. Garner and junior running back Steven Blanco led the Cajuns’ scoring efforts with Garner rushing for 104 yards and two touchdowns on nine carries. Blanco rushed for a game-high 113 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries.With only three healthy running backs remaining on the roster, the duo has been clutch in the backfield in the second half of the season. This marks the first time the Cajuns have had two running backs rush for over 100 yards in a single game since 2022.This win gives Desormeaux and his Cajuns even more momentum after becoming bowl-game eligible last week with a win over South Alabama. They will return home next week to face Coastal Carolina at 2 p.m. on Nov. 21 in the comforts of Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium.Shannon Belt covers high school sports and the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns for The Daily Advertiser as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow her high school and Cajuns coverage on X, formerly known as Twitter: @ShannonBelt3. Got questions regarding HS/UL athletics? Send them to Shannon Belt at sbelt@gannett.com.This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Here's why Louisiana football's Week 11 win over ULM was its best game yet