Nunez leads Louisiana by Texas State 24-7 in 1st start

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Barnes' 50-yard catch sends Louisiana to the red zone

Andre Nunez sends one deep and connects with Keenan Barnes to get the Ragin' Cajuns closer to a touchdown.

Oct 13, 2017, 03:51 am

LAFAYETTE, La. -- Andre Nunez threw for 232 yards and a touchdown in his first start for Louisiana, and the Ragin' Cajuns beat Texas State 24-7 on Thursday night.

Nunez, a junior walk-on from Iowa Western Community College, threw a lofted pass to Keenan Barnes in the corner of the end zone for an 8-yard score to cap the scoring with 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter.

Freshman Trey Ragas rushed for 73 yards and two touchdowns for Louisiana (3-3, 2-1 Sun Belt).

Ragas opened the scoring on Louisiana's first possession of the game by breaking two tackles on an 11-yard run up the middle. Two plays later, LaLaf Damar'ren Mitchell recovered a Texas State fumble near midfield and Ragas powered it in from the 2 for a 14-0 lead.

Chaiziere Malbrue's strip-sack and recovery led to Stevie Artigue's short field goal late in the third for a 17-7 lead.

Texas State (1-6, 0-3) backup quarterback Willie Jones III threw for 197 yards and added 58 yards on the ground.

The Bobcats' scoring drive in the third was setup by Jones' pass to Thurman Morbley for a 49-yard gain. Anthony D. Taylor capped it with a 1-yard run.