Thanks to upset win over Iowa State, Louisiana cracks Top 25 to end nearly 80-year drought
The longest drought relating to the Associated Press Poll has come to an end.
Louisiana was ranked No. 19 in the AP Poll this week following a 31-14 upset win over then No. 23 Iowa State on Saturday. It was part of a 3-0 afternoon the Sun Belt enjoyed against Big 12 opponents in the first weekend of the Power 5 football season.
Coastal Carolina defeated Kansas 38-23 in Lawrence and Arkansas State knocked off Kansas State 35-31 in Manhattan.
Louisiana (Lafayette) comes in at No. 19 in the AP Poll.
Ragin’ Cajuns were last ranked on Nov. 1, 1943, ending the longest drought in the country (1,109 polls).
— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) September 13, 2020
Remarkably, Louisiana’s ranking ends and incredibly long drought of being absent from the Top 25. Per Chris Vannini of The Athletic, the Ragin’ Cajuns had not been ranked since Nov. 1, 1943, nearly 80 years ago.
Needless to say, it was the longest drought in the country.
The Ragin’ Cajuns scored two special teams touchdowns to help separate themselves from the Cyclones on Saturday afternoon. The 17-point victory in Ames also marked the first time Louisiana defeated a Top 25 opponent on the road.
Previously, Louisiana was 0-26 in such matchups.