Upset in the Big 12: The first ranked team in 2020 has lost
We have our first major upset in college football.
Louisiana made the trip to Ames to take on No. 23 Iowa State on Saturday, and left Jack Trice Stadium with a victory. The Cyclones were the first ranked team in the 2020 season to suffer a loss, falling 31-14 to the Ragin’ Cajuns.
Iowa State scored first on Saturday, taking an early 7-0 lead on a 1-yard run from Kene Nwangwu. But Louisiana answered quickly, as Chris Smith returned a kickoff 95 yards to tie the game up at 7-7.
95 YARDS TO THE HOUSE 🏠 pic.twitter.com/P4z9h1VBfK
— ESPN (@espn) September 12, 2020
Still, the Cyclones held a 14-10 advantage at halftime, but Louisiana held Iowa State scoreless in the second half and was able to use a 78-yard touchdown pass from Levi Lewis to Peter LeBlanc to take a 17-14 lead in the third quarter. Early in the fourth quarter, Eric Garror returned a punt 83 yards to make it a two-score lead for the Ragin’ Cajuns.
The Ragin' Cajuns air it out for a 78-yard TD ‼️ pic.twitter.com/x2hAKvYdba
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) September 12, 2020
COAST TO COAST AGAIN 💨 pic.twitter.com/WhqfnqiZUD
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) September 12, 2020
Louisiana put the icing on the cake with a 2-yard run from Trey Ragas into the end zone with only a few seconds left in the game.
Louisiana starts the season with a major road win, its first ever road victory over a ranked opponent. Iowa State falls to 0-1 on the season and likely out of the Top 25.