Wildcats over-matched in season opener

(KALB)
Published: Sep. 8, 2018 at 11:09 PM CDT
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The Louisiana College football team finally kicked off on Saturday night as the Wildcats traveled to Division I FCS opponent Alcorn State University. Although the Wildcats showed spurts of quality play, it was Alcorn State that would dominate play on both sides of the ball in route to a convincing 78-0 win. The Wildcats drop to 0-1 on the season and will host #10 ranked Hardin-Simmons University at Wildcat Stadium next week.

The Wildcats received the opening kickoff and quickly headed back to the sideline after a three-and-out possession that ended with a blocked punt and a touchdown for Alcorn State just four plays into the game. Before the Wildcats could acclimate to their surroundings, the Braves had put the game firmly in their grasp. A one-play touchdown drive came on the Braves’ next possession, then a fumble set up another score, and after another short offensive set for the Wildcats, Alcorn drove another short field to go ahead 27-0 with 5:18 remaining in the first quarter.

The Wildcat offense was held in check through the majority of the night as the Alcorn front stymied the running game and forced the Wildcats into a short passing game against tight coverage. LC had the ball a total of 11 times in the first half, running 27 plays for negative 25 yards, due in part to a blocked punt and an 11-yard sack of Bonneau. The Wildcats would not pick up their first first down of the game until a 13-yard pass from Bonneau to Leondre James in the third quarter.

Alcorn shell shocked the Wildcats with four quick scores in the first quarter, then put the game away with three more touchdowns and a field goal in the second to take a comfortable 51-0 lead into the half. A pair of touchdowns each in both the third and fourth quarter left no doubt about the Braves depth across the board as they rolled up 78 points on 74 total plays and 629 yards of offense.

Bonneau finished the game with 62 passing yards with one interception and Connor Maples led the Wildcat ground game with six yards against a dominant defensive front. Leondre James made two catches for 29 yards and freshman Micah Dunn had three receptions for 13 yards. Julius Johnson and Orel Ledet Jr combined for 20 tackles in the game with Johnson leading the way with 13 total.