Sun Belt Championship 2019: 3 takeaways from App State’s win over Louisiana

3. Missed opportunities kept Louisiana at arm’s length

All signs pointed to this game being a blowout early. The Mountaineers jumped out to a 35-14 lead midway through the second quarter. The Ragin’ Cajuns made sure App State knew that football is a four-quarter game.

The Cajuns ended the first half with a field goal making it a three possession game. Louisiana did a terrific job in the second half limiting the Mountaineers’ offense to only 10 points.

Cajuns quarterback Levi Lewis had a career day with 354 passing yards and four touchdowns. Lewis was forced to throw 46 times because the run game never got going, and the Cajuns got down early. The Cajuns, however, hurt themselves with turnovers and missed opportunities.

The Cajuns fumbled on their first possession of the game, and missed a field goal in the second quarter. Louisiana then fumbled on their second possession of the third quarter as well. Their crucial mistake was a pick-six by the Mountaineers in the third quarter.

If the Cajuns had not missed two field goals or given up the pick six, this is a different game.