Written by Zach Bartkus
ORLANDO, FLA. – The Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns and the Tulane Green Wave faced off in the fourth annual AutoNation Cure Bowl. The Cure Bowl has raised over $3.5 million dollars for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation since its inaugural year in 2015. Per the Cure Bowl, “more than 1 million dollars of that funding has gone to our very own Dr. Annette Khaled, who is conducting groundbreaking research at the University of Central Florida.” This bowl game has also been extremely beneficial to the city of Orlando as it has continued to bring in new visitors since its creation.
The game would also bring light to two programs from the state of Louisiana. The two schools being just two hours apart, it acts as a natural rivalry. When the Cure Bowl’s Executive Director Alan Gooch, announced the two teams, he spoke about having two teams from the same area in the game.
“For us to have the opportunity to have a rivalry in our game is the first time ever to have two teams in the same state.”
These teams also have history against each other. In fact, the last time the two teams played was in 2016 and that game ended after four thrilling overtime periods, with the Green Wave coming out on top 41-39.
The game started with the two teams trading rushing touchdowns on their first drives of the game. Momentum would shift Tulane’s way after they would force the Cajuns off the field with no points their next four drives. While Tulane’s defense was getting the job done on their side of the ball, so was the offense. Tulane’s quarterback, Justin McMillan, threw for 86 yards, a touchdown and one interception in the first half.
The Tulane running game seemed to be the strength of their offensive attack as they totaled 208 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Running back Darius Bradwell led the way for them in the first half with 63 yards rushing and a touchdown. Bradwell also hit the 1,000-career rushing yard mark today against the Ragin Cajuns on a two yard run in the first quarter.
Some of the momentum would shift back Louisiana-Lafayette’s way when defensive back Bralen Trahan intercepted McMillan on the goal line, just before the end of the first half. The Cajuns managed to convert the turnover into points after kicker Kyle Pfau drilled a 43-yard field goal. The Ragin Cajuns went into halftime down 24-10.
To start the second half, Tulane’s offense was forced off the field quickly after not converting on a 4th & 2, turning it over on downs. The Cajuns capitalized off that failed conversion, with a productive drive that was capped off by a three yard touchdown run from running back Elijah Mitchell. On Tulane’s next drive they were forced off the field early again as Trahan forced Tulane running back Amare Jones to fumble the ball and Louisiana-Lafayette linebacker Ja’len Johnson recovered the loose ball for the Cajuns. The turnover wouldn’t result in any points for the Louisiana-Lafayette but seemed to give them a much needed momentum boost.
Louisiana-Lafayette head coach Billy Napier spoke after the game about the changes that they made coming into the second half.
“I challenged their character,” said Napier. “I challenged their commitment…I challenged them to show their fight that I know they had in them.”
The game would remain close for the rest of the way but the Green Wave would pull ahead midway through the fourth quarter. A late four-yard touchdown run by Bradwell sealed the victory for the Green Wave and one more touchdown run from McMillan, on a 16 yard scamper was the finishing touch.
Tulane came away with the 2018 Cure Bowl victory and finished the season with a 7-6 record. McMillan finished the game 11-18 for 145 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Bradwell led the team in rushing with 35 carries for 150 yards and two touchdowns. For his performance, he was named the Most Valuable Player of the game.
Louisiana-Lafayette quarterback Andre Nunez completed 8-17 passes, for 136 yards and a touchdown. Running backs Trey Ragas and Raymond Calais rushed for 40 yards and 41 yards. Calais also ran for a touchdown.
These two teams now can look back on a season that ended with a bowl game in the City Beautiful and can look forward to next season, and hope that it will end in a place just as beautiful.
