If you were looking for a high-stakes, "throw the records out the window" kind of matchup in the Sun Belt, you probably didn't have to look much further than the most recent clash between the South Alabama Jaguars and the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns. Honestly, this series has become one of those regional battles that feels way more intense than the national media ever gives it credit for.
Yesterday, on January 17, 2026, we saw exactly why. Jaxon Olvera basically decided he wasn't leaving Mobile without a win, hitting two absolute daggers from deep in the final 30 seconds to give Louisiana a 59-56 victory over South Alabama. It was a classic "revenge" game after the Jaguars had spoiled the Cajuns' New Year's Eve just a few weeks prior.
Why the Recent Basketball Split Matters
When South Alabama went into the Cajundome on December 31, 2025, they looked like the more polished team. Adam Olsen was a man possessed, dropping 26 points and going a perfect 10-for-10 from the charity stripe. South Alabama won that one 63-58, and it felt like the Jaguars might be the team to beat in the conference.
But sports are weird.
In the rematch at the Mitchell Center, Louisiana turned the game into a shooting gallery. They attempted a school-record 42 three-pointers. Think about that for a second. More than half of their total shots came from behind the arc. It's a high-risk strategy that usually ends in a long bus ride home, but they hit 15 of them. Olvera’s heroics—hitting a triple with 24 seconds left and then the game-winner with just 2.1 seconds on the clock—snapped a three-game losing streak for the Cajuns against the Jags.
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For South Alabama, this one stings. Chaze Harris is arguably the best scorer in the Sun Belt right now, entering that game averaging nearly 25 points in conference play. He got his 18 points, but the Jaguars' zone defense finally cracked under the pressure of all those perimeter shots.
Football: A Different Kind of Dominance
While the basketball court is a seesaw, the football field has seen a bit more of a definitive lean lately. On November 1, 2025, Louisiana went into Mobile and handled business with a 31-22 win.
It wasn't just the score that was impressive; it was the efficiency. Lunch Winfield—yes, that is a real name, and yes, he is a baller—set a school record by completing 93% of his passes. He went 13-for-13 to start the game. You don't see that kind of precision in the Sun Belt every day. Shelton Sampson Jr. was his favorite target, hauling in two touchdowns and racking up 138 yards.
The Jaguars tried to make it a game late with quarterback Bishop Davenport and a 64-yard bomb to Jeremy Scott, but the Cajuns' defense pulled off a massive goal-line stand that essentially ended the threat.
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History shows this isn't a fluke. Louisiana has dominated the series lately.
- The Streak: Between 2016 and 2021, Louisiana won six straight against South Alabama.
- The 2024 Exception: South Alabama did manage to sneak out a 24-22 win in Lafayette back in 2024, thanks to Gio Lopez and a massive game from Jamaal Pritchett.
- All-Time Series: As of the end of the 2025 season, Louisiana leads the football series 10-4.
The Gritty Details You Might Have Missed
People talk about the stars, but this rivalry is won in the dirt. In the 2025 football matchup, Louisiana’s Jaden Dugger was a nightmare for South Alabama, recording 11 tackles and a game-sealing interception.
On the hardwood, the contrast in styles is what makes it fun. South Alabama currently ranks #1 in the entire nation for the fewest fouls per game (about 11.6). They play a disciplined, "don't beat yourself" brand of basketball. Louisiana, under Michael Desormeaux (on the football side) and their basketball staff, tends to play with a more aggressive, high-variance style.
What to Look For Next
If you’re a fan or a bettor, you’ve got to keep an eye on the health of the Jaguars' backcourt. Adam Olsen and Chaze Harris are a terrifying duo when they are clicking, but they’ve struggled with consistency when facing teams that can match their athleticism on the wings.
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For Louisiana, the question is always about the "Lunch Winfield" effect. Can they maintain that level of offensive efficiency, or was that record-breaking performance in November a statistical anomaly?
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- In Basketball: Watch the rebounding margins. In their recent loss, South Alabama actually out-rebounded Louisiana 37-27 but still lost because they couldn't defend the perimeter. If South Alabama tightens up that 3-point defense, they remain the favorite for a deep Sun Belt tournament run.
- In Football: Keep an eye on the transfer portal this spring. Both programs have been active, and with the "G5" landscape shifting, whoever keeps their core playmakers (like Shelton Sampson Jr. or Gio Lopez) will have the upper hand in 2026.
- The "Mitchell Center" Factor: Louisiana has actually won two of the last three meetings in Mobile. If you’re betting the "home-court advantage," be careful—the Cajuns seem weirdly comfortable in the Jaguars' house.
This rivalry doesn't need a fancy trophy or a corporate sponsor name to be real. It's built on 2.1-second game-winners and 93% completion rates. It's just good, old-fashioned Southern football and basketball.