For the first time in 77 years, the University of Louisiana football program appeared in the Associated Press Top 25. After defeating previous No. 25 Iowa State 31-14 on Saturday, the Ragin’ Cajuns are now ranked No. 19 after the win.
The last time the team made an appearance in the AP poll was November 1st, 1943 when they ranked No. 15. and were known as the Southwestern Louisiana Institute Bulldogs. Before ending the incredible streak of missed poll appearances, the program recorded 1,109 lost chances.
In the era of modern college football, this is the first time Louisiana has ranked in any polls. The team also recorded its first time ranking in the USA Today Amway Coaches Poll where they sit No. 21.
For the Sun Belt Conference, the Ragin’ Cajuns are ranked the highest in the AP Poll with fellow conference partner Appalachian State University ranked No. 24.
Saturday’s win over Iowa marked Louisiana’s second win over a top-25 opponent with the first being against Texas A&M in 1996. The victory also was the Ragin’ Cajun’s first win over a Big 12 team since they defeated Kansas State in 2009.
Louisiana will be back in action looking move up the rankings on Saturday where they will pay fellow Sun Belt member Georgia State in Atlanta on ESPN2.