Louisiana-Lafayette earns Sun Belt Championship slot with Zylan Perry's heroics

In an exciting college football matchup on Saturday, November 30, 2024, Louisiana-Lafayette faced off against UL Monroe in what was the regular season finale. The game held significant stakes, as Louisiana-Lafayette was vying for a spot in the Sun Belt Championship game. With a skillful performance from running back Zylan Perry, who rushed for 150 yards and scored two crucial touchdowns, Louisiana-Lafayette ultimately triumphed over UL Monroe with a final score of 37-23. The game featured a tightly contested first half, with both teams battling for control. Max Larson of UL Monroe kicked a 47-yard field goal in the final moments of the second quarter, ensuring the teams went into halftime tied at 13-13. However, Louisiana-Lafayette came out strong in the second half, as quarterback Chandler Fields led a significant 80-yard offensive drive, culminating in a touchdown pass to Tavion Smith. This gave the Ragin' Cajuns a lead they would maintain throughout the remainder of the game. Despite efforts from UL Monroe to close the gap with another field goal, Zylan Perry's second touchdown proved to be the decisive blow for Louisiana-Lafayette. Additionally, Kenneth Almendares, a veteran kicker, contributed to the victory with multiple successful PATs and a field goal that not only helped secure the lead but also marked a personal milestone for him, as he moved up the career scoring list in the Sun Belt Conference. As a result of this victory, Louisiana-Lafayette not only improved their season record to 10-2, marking their fourth 10-win season in program history, but they also solidified their position in the Sun Belt Championship game for the fifth time since the inception of the game. On the other side, UL Monroe finished their season at 5-7, demonstrating a competitive but ultimately challenging year. The game highlighted key performances from both teams, particularly in the way they executed their offensive strategies and the resilience displayed by Louisiana-Lafayette in achieving their championship aspirations.