Louisiana Looks to Build Momentum Against Texas State in “Louisiana Salutes” Weekend Matchup

By Fishbowl Sports

LAFAYETTE — The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns return home to Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium on Saturday, hosting the Texas State Bobcats in a Sun Belt Conference showdown during the program’s annual “Louisiana Salutes” game — a tradition honoring veterans and active-duty military members. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. and will air on ESPN+ with Dan McDonald, Eric Mouton, and Ben Schafer on the call.

Louisiana (3-6, 2-3 SBC) comes into the matchup fresh off a confidence-boosting 31–22 win over South Alabama in Mobile. Quarterback Lunch Winfield played a key role in the victory, tossing two touchdown passes to Shelton Sampson Jr. and adding a rushing score. Running back Zylan Perry also found the end zone as the Cajuns built a commanding 31–7 lead midway through the third quarter.

Defensively, Jaden Dugger led the charge with 11 tackles and a late interception, helping secure Louisiana’s third straight win in Mobile with a clutch goal-line stand in the final minutes.

Head coach Michael Desormeaux’s squad will now look to translate that road success into a home performance against a Texas State team still searching for traction.

The Bobcats (3-5, 0-4 SBC) enter Saturday on a four-game losing streak that includes back-to-back overtime heartbreakers and a one-point defeat at Arkansas State. Despite preseason expectations that had them pegged as Louisiana’s biggest challenger in the Sun Belt West, Texas State’s struggles in conference play have left them fighting to regain their early-season form.

This weekend’s contest also marks the final Sun Belt meeting between the two programs, with Texas State set to join the revamped Pac-12 Conference on July 1, 2026.

Tickets for the game start at $25, with additional single-game parking and tailgate options available through RaginCajuns.com.