You’ve felt it if you’ve lived anywhere between Lafayette and Lake Charles. It’s that weird, prickly tension that starts somewhere near the Crowley exit on I-10 and doesn't let up until you see the stadium lights. Honestly, it doesn't matter that the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns and the McNeese Cowboys play in different divisions now. It doesn't matter that they went decades without a regular date on the calendar. When ul vs mcneese football is the topic, everyone has an opinion, and usually, it's a loud one.
The most recent clash on September 6, 2025, at Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium reminded everyone why this "Cajun Crown" thing is so personal. Louisiana walked away with a 34-10 win, but that score is kinda lying to you. If you were in the stands among the 26,071 fans, you saw a 17-10 dogfight heading into the fourth quarter. It took two late touchdowns in the final four minutes for the Ragin' Cajuns to finally breathe easy. That’s the thing about this series—McNeese never seems to care about the "FBS vs. FCS" label on the brochure.
The Cajun Crown and a History of Pure Spite
Let’s get one thing straight: McNeese still leads the all-time series. Even after the 2025 loss, the Cowboys hold a 20-17-2 edge over the Cajuns. People forget that from 1951 to 1986, this was a mandatory annual event. It was the Southland Conference’s version of the Iron Bowl, just with more gumbo and significantly more venom.
In the 70s and 80s, the schools basically despised each other. We’re talking about a rivalry where fans still refuse to wear the opponent's colors decades after the yearly games stopped. The "Cajun Crown" trophy might be the physical prize, but the real reward is a year of silence from your cousins who live an hour down the road.
📖 Related: Heisman Trophy Nominees 2024: The Year the System Almost Broke
Why did it stop? Basically, money and bureaucracy. When McNeese stayed in Division I-AA (now FCS) and Louisiana moved up to I-A (now FBS) in 1982, the scheduling math got messy. The yearly tradition died in 1986, and for a long time, the only way these two met was in the history books or heated barroom debates.
Breaking Down the 2025 Matchup
Last September, the atmosphere in Lafayette was electric. Louisiana was coming off a "gut-punch" loss to Rice and needed a win. McNeese, under the second stint of head coach Matt Viator, was looking to reclaim their giant-killer reputation.
- The Ground Game: Bill Davis was the absolute hammer for the Cajuns. He finished with a career-high 132 rushing yards.
- The Surprise Starter: With Walker Howard sidelined, Daniel Beale stepped in for his first collegiate start. He wasn't flashy (86 yards passing), but his 22-yard scramble on a third-and-long changed the momentum of the second quarter.
- McNeese's Spark: Quarterback Jake Strong and Joshua Jackson nearly pulled off the upset. Their 55-yard connection early on showed that the Cowboys' offense could punch up.
- The Kicking Game: Tony Sterner, the guy who wears No. 95 as a tribute to Lightning McQueen, overcame two early misses to nail two crucial field goals.
The game was a mess of penalties and high-stakes defense until Steven Blanco broke loose for a 34-yard touchdown late in the fourth. That was the dagger.
👉 See also: When Was the MLS Founded? The Chaotic Truth About American Soccer's Rebirth
What Most People Get Wrong About the Rivalry
A lot of younger fans think this is just another "money game" where a big school pays a smaller school to come get beat up. That’s just wrong. Historically, McNeese was the powerhouse. Between 1973 and 1982, the Cowboys went on a 10-game unbeaten streak against the Ragin' Cajuns.
There's also this weird coaching crossover that makes everything feel like a family feud. Matt Viator, the McNeese legend, actually spent time on the Louisiana staff as an analyst. Tim Leger, the Cajuns' offensive coordinator, is a McNeese alum. When these teams meet, the sidelines are full of guys who know exactly what the other side is thinking.
How to Follow the Next Chapter
If you’re looking to catch the next ul vs mcneese football showdown, you have to keep an eye on the non-conference scheduling cycles. Since they aren't in the same league, these games are "one-offs" that usually happen in the first three weeks of the season.
✨ Don't miss: Navy Notre Dame Football: Why This Rivalry Still Hits Different
- Check the Sun Belt and Southland Schedules: These games are typically announced 2-3 years in advance.
- Monitor the "I-10 Series" Rumors: Local media in Lafayette and Lake Charles usually leak talks of a contract renewal months before it's official.
- Buy Tickets Early: This game routinely draws over 25,000 people. It doesn't matter how the teams are performing; the seats will be full.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're planning on attending a future game, or just want to sound like an expert at the tailgate, keep these specifics in your back pocket.
- Tailgating is the real event: At Louisiana, the "Cajun Walk" happens about two and a half hours before kickoff. It’s the best time to see the players up close.
- Watch the trenches: In this rivalry, the team that rushes for over 150 yards has won almost every meeting in the modern era.
- Don't bet on the spread: These games are notoriously emotional. McNeese has a history of keeping it within one possession deep into the second half, regardless of what the oddsmakers say.
Keep your eyes on the local sports hubs like the Ragin' Cajuns Radio Network or 92.9 The Lake in Lake Charles for the next official date. This isn't just a game; it's a battle for the soul of Southwest Louisiana.