College Sports

No. 16 Louisiana-Lafayette gets UTSA in First Responder Bowl

Posted December 20, 2020 6:00 am

By The Associated Press

UTSA running back Sincere McCormick (3) fends off an attempted tackle by Southern Mississippi defensive back Malik Shorts (9) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, in Hattiesburg, Miss. UTSA won 23-20. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) The Associated Press

UTSA (7-4, 5-2 Conference USA) vs. No. 16 Louisiana-Lafayette (9-1, 7-1 Sun Belt, No. 19 CFP), Saturday, 3:30 p.m. EST (ABC)

LOCATION: Dallas

TOP PLAYERS

USTA: RB Sincere McCormick, 226 carries for 1,345 yards and 11 TDs

Louisiana-Lafayette: QB Levi Lewis, 165 of 275 for 2,128 yards passing with 17 TDs and 7 INTs. Also has 5 TD runs.

NOTABLE

UTSA: The Roadrunners initially were heading to the Frisco Bowl, but that game's cancellation caused them to seek a new postseason game to play. UTSA opened the season with three straight victories, then lost four of their next five before closing with three straight wins. A bowl victory would give UTSA eight wins to match the program's single-season record set by the 2012 team that finished 8-4.

Louisiana-Lafayette: The Ragin' Cajuns were declared Sun Belt co-champions along with No. 9 Coastal Carolina (No. 12 CFP) after their Sun Belt championship game matchup was canceled. Louisiana-Lafayette has won six straight since falling 30-27 to Coastal Carolina on Oct. 14. The Ragin' Cajuns opened the season with a 31-14 victory over No. 12 Iowa State (No. 10 CFP), which is headed to the Fiesta Bowl.

LAST TIME

This will be the first meeting between these teams.

BOWL HISTORY

UTSA: Second overall bowl appearance. The Roadrunners lost 23-20 to New Mexico in the New Mexico Bowl on Dec. 17, 2016.

Louisiana-Lafayette: Ninth overall bowl appearance. The Ragin Cajuns won 27-20 over Miami (Ohio) in the Lending Tree Bowl last season to improve their bowl record to 6-2.

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UTSA running back Sincere McCormick (3) dives over Southern Mississippi linebacker Averie Habas (46) for a short yardage touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, in Hattiesburg, Miss. UTSA won 23-20. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) The Associated Press

Louisiana-Lafayette head coach Billy Napier reacts to a call in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Louisiana Monroe in Monroe, La., Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton) The Associated Press

Louisiana-Lafayette linebacker Ferrod Gardner (7) enters the field with Louisiana-Lafayette head coach Billy Napier before an NCAA college football game against South Alabama in Lafayette, La., Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton) The Associated Press

Louisiana-Lafayette safety Percy Butler (9) celebrates an interception next to Louisiana-Lafayette head coach Billy Napier during an NCAA college football game against South Alabama in Lafayette, La., Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton) The Associated Press

Louisiana-Lafayette quarterback Levi Lewis (1) scores at touchdown against Louisiana-Monroe linebacker Taylor Behl (35) in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Monroe, La., Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton) The Associated Press

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