The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns open their 2025 campaign at home with a clear objective: dominate early and establish themselves once again as a Sun Belt contender under head coach Michael Desormeaux. Coming off a solid 2024 season in which they posted a winning record and remained competitive in divisional play, Louisiana is looking to build on that momentum with a mix of experienced starters and promising young talent. Desormeaux, a former Cajun quarterback himself, has steadily brought stability to the program since taking over, emphasizing a physical brand of football rooted in power running and disciplined defense. At quarterback, Zeon Chriss is expected to lead the offense after showing flashes of brilliance last season, including improved pocket awareness and poise under pressure. His dual-threat ability adds another dimension to the attack, complementing a backfield that features explosive runner Jacob Kibodi, who averaged over five yards per carry in 2024 and is primed for a breakout year. The offensive line, anchored by senior tackle AJ Gillie, returns largely intact and provides the foundation for the Cajuns’ commitment to controlling the line of scrimmage and wearing down opponents. Wide receivers like Robert Williams and Peter LeBlanc offer reliable hands and big-play capability, which will be critical if Chriss can continue developing his downfield accuracy. On defense, Louisiana’s strength lies in its linebacker corps, led by veteran Kendre’ Gant, who combines speed and physicality to anchor the unit against both the run and pass.

The defensive line will need to step up early in the season to generate more pressure after a 2024 campaign that lacked consistent edge rush presence, but reinforcements from the transfer portal and returning contributors like Zy Alexander in the secondary could help elevate that unit. Special teams also figure to be a strength, particularly with returning kicker Kenneth Almendares, who was dependable from long range and clutch in late-game situations last year. Facing a Rice team transitioning into a new offensive scheme under first-year head coach Scott Abell, Louisiana must be prepared for tempo shifts and option looks that test assignment discipline. However, the Cajuns’ superior depth, home-field advantage at Cajun Field, and more cohesive system continuity make them favorites in this matchup. Key to success will be starting fast—putting early pressure on Rice’s offense and establishing a rhythm offensively to keep the Owls from managing the clock or dictating tempo. If Louisiana can assert itself on the ground early and avoid turnovers, it should be able to control the pace and wear Rice down over four quarters. With a strong core of returning talent and an expectation to compete for the Sun Belt West title, this opener represents more than just a warm-up—it’s a chance to send a clear message that the Ragin’ Cajuns are ready to make another run toward the top of the conference. A convincing win would not only set the tone for the season but also help Louisiana climb early-season power rankings and build momentum heading into tougher league play.