MOBILE, Al. (KLFY) -- Lunch Winfield turned in one of the most efficient passing performances in Louisiana football history, and the Ragin’ Cajuns rode a dominant first half to a 31-22 Sun Belt Conference victory over South Alabama on Saturday at Hancock Whitney Stadium.

Winfield completed 14 of 15 passes for 232 yards and two touchdowns, opening 13-for-13 and setting a single-game school record with a 93-percent completion rate. The previous mark of 90 percent (18-for-20) was held by Chandler Fields against ULM during the 2023 season.

Behind Winfield’s offensive effort, Louisiana (3-6, 2-3 SBC) built a 24-7 halftime lead and held off a late rally to defeat the Jaguars (2-7, 1-4 SBC) for the third straight time on the road.

Shelton Sampson Jr. was Winfield’s top target, hauling in six passes for a career-high 138 yards and two touchdown receptions. Zylan Perry added 56 yards rushing and an 18-yard rushing score, while Winfield contributed another touchdown on the ground.

Louisiana struck first midway through the opening quarter when Winfield found Sampson for a 25-yard touchdown to cap a nine-play, 75-yard opening drive. Tony Sterner followed with a 32-yard field goal late in the period to make it 10-0.

South Alabama briefly cut the deficit to 10-7 on a 15-yard scoring run from Keenan Phillips early in the second quarter, but the Cajuns answered quickly. Perry’s touchdown run capped a 75-yard march, which took over seven minutes off the clock, and Winfield connected again with Sampson from 17 yards out to give Louisiana firm control at the break.

Winfield’s 1-yard sneak on the opening drive in the third quarter stretched the lead to 31-7 after another 75-yard drive. South Alabama responded with touchdowns from quarterback Bishop Davenport, a 5-yard run in the third and a 64-yard strike to Jeremy Scott in the fourth.

But the Cajuns’ defense stiffened in the closing minutes, highlighted by a goal-line stand from inside UL 1 and Jaden Dugger’s interception with just over a minute remaining to seal the win.

Louisiana finished with 393 yards of total offense, including 161 on the ground. Bill Davis added 56 rushing yards, while Perry and Winfield combined for 101 on the ground.

Dugger led the Cajuns with 11 total tackles. Tyree Skipper had nine tackles and recorded the team’s lone sack, and Brent Gordon Jr. added two pass breakups.

Davenport completed 20 of 33 passes for 203 yards for South Alabama with Scott catching six passes for 102 yards. Kentrel Bullock, the leading rusher for South Alabama entering the game, was limited to 48 yards on 16 carries.

Louisiana will return home to face Texas State on Saturday in the annual “Louisiana Salutes” game – honoring our nation’s military – at Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m., with the game being televised on ESPN+.

All fans are encouraged to wear black. Fans who served in the military are also encouraged to send photos of themselves or other military members that will be displayed on the video board to GeauxCajuns@louisiana.edu.

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).

New this season, fans can park on the athletic footprint on a single-game basis for just $20 per game by clicking here. Fans will also be able to purchase single-game tailgate spots beginning at $100 by clicking here.

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