Football: Ragin’ Cajuns Hold Annual Awards Banquet

PERMANENT CAPTAINS: The team picked four of their peers to be named as permanent team captains, and the four selected will carry that flag into Louisiana’s bowl game.
 
Andre Nunez, QB, Sr.
Robert Hunt, OL, Jr.
Corey Turner, DB, Sr.
Deuce Wallace, DB, Sr.
 
IRON MAN AWARD: The "Iron Man Award" was given to the team members who showed the most dedication in the weight room, buying into what Louisiana’s athletic performance program was all about during the 2018 season.  The award was presented by the Director of Strength & Conditioning Mark Hocke.
 
Kamar Greenhouse, DB, Jr.
Earnest Patterson, WR, Sr.
Jalen Williams, WR, So.
Terik Miller, LB, Jr.
Jamarius Williams, DB, Sr.
 
 
COMMITMENT TO ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AWARD: The "Commitment to Academic Excellence Award" was presented to the Ragin’ Cajuns who were standout student-athletes during the 2018 season, excelling both in the classroom and on the field, setting the standard for their peers on how to carry themselves as a member of Louisiana Football. The award was presented by Director of Student-Athlete Academic Services Phillip Pinkston.
 
Ashton Johnson, RB, Jr.
Tanner Wiggins, LB, So.
Jacques Boudreaux, LB, Jr.
Deuce Wallace, DB, Jr.
Shane Vallot, OL, R-Fr.
Ken Marks, OL, Jr.
 
OUTSTANDING SENIOR SCHOLAR AWARD: The "Outstanding Senior Scholar" award was handed to seniors who demonstrated outstanding commitment to scholarly work and maintained a strong grade point average throughout the 2018 season. The award was presented by Assistant Director of Athletics for Student-Athlete Academics Services Christy Alford.
 
Chris Turner, TE, Sr. (3.59 GPA)
Caden Cunningham, OL, Sr. (3.93 GPA)
 
NEWCOMER AWARD: Given to the Louisiana squad members who made significant contributions to the success of the team, the "Newcomer Award" was the staff’s way of making sure that people who were not at every practice, knew who was working hard to make the team better. The award was given by Assistant Football Coach (WR) Tim Leger.
 
Zi’Yon Hill, DL, R-Fr.
Ja’Len Johnson, LB, R-Fr.
Eric Garror, DB, Fr.
Max Mitchell, OL, Fr.
Percy Butler, DB, Fr.
Kris Moncrief, LB, Fr.
 
UNSUNG HERO AWARD: The "Unsung Hero Award" speaks for itself and was given to the players who helped the team in many different ways, but have not found their names up in the lights.  The award was presented by Assistant Football Coach (RB) Jabbar Juluke.
 
Raymond Calais, RB, Jr.
Jackson Ladner, LS, Sr.
Rico Robinson, OL, Jr.
Tanner Wiggins, LB, So.
 
OUTSTANDING DEFENSIVE PERFORMER AWARD: Awarded to the most productive defensive player, the "Outstanding Defensive Performer Award" celebrates the defensive player who accumulated the greatest production point totals throughout the season. The award was presented my Assistant Football Coach (CB) Zac Etheridge.
 
Chauncey Manac, LB, So.
Jacques Boudreaux, LB, Jr.
 
UP-FRONT AWARD: The big fellas up front sometimes go unnoticed, but the game is won and lost at the line of scrimmage. The "Up-Front Award" was given to the linemen, on both sides of the ball, that helped Louisiana win the line of scrimmage on the offensive and defensive fronts throughout the 2018 season. The award was presented by Assistant Head Coach (DL) Rory Segrest.
 
Robert Hunt, OL, Jr.
Kevin Dotson, OL, Jr.
LaDarrius Kidd, DL, Sr.
Garrald McDowell, DL, Sr.
 
ORLANDO THOMAS "MOST INSPIRATIONAL PLAYER" AWARD: An award that is voted on by their peers, the Orlando Thomas "Most Inspirational Player" Award is given to the player on the team that has inspired his teammates both in the locker room and on the field. The award was presented by Director of Football Operations Troy Wingerter.
 
Deuce Wallace, DB, Sr.
 
DEFENSIVE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: Awarded to the players who were critical for the defense to be successful throughout the season, the "Defensive Achievement Award" represents the members of the Louisiana Football defense that made impacts on the defensive side of the ball. The award was presented by Assistant Football Coach (S) Patrick Toney.
 
Ferrod Gardner, LB, Jr.
Michael Jacquet III, DB, Jr.
Koa Haynes, DB, Sr.
Kendall Johnson, DB, Sr.
 
OFFENSIVE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: Much like its counterpart on the defensive side of the ball, the "Offensive Achievement Award" was given to the players who were key to a historic season on the offensive side of the ball. The award was presented by Assistant Football Coach (Assistant OL) D.J. Looney.
 
Andre Nunez, QB, Sr.
Ken Marks, OL, Jr.
Ryheem Malone, WR, Sr.
Cole Prudhomme, OL, Jr.
 
ROBERT R. TRAHAN "PRESIDENT’S AWARD": A special award, presented by the University President Dr. E. Joseph Savoie, the Robert R. Trahan "President’s Award" is given to the student-athletes who showed perseverance against all odds, in helping contribute to the team’s success during the season.
 
Deuce Wallace, DB, Jr.
Matt Barnes, TE, Sr.
Levi Lewis, QB, So.
Chaiziere Malbrue, LB, Sr.
 
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARD: Arguably the most important part of the three phases of a football game, special teams plays can make or break a game or a season, and the "Special Teams Player of the Year Award" was given to the players who made key contributions on special teams. The award was presented by Assistant Football Coach (ST) Matt Powledge.
 
Ashton Johnson, RB, Jr.
Kyle Pfau, K, Sr.
Jarrod Jackson, WR, Jr.
Jourdan Quibodeaux, LB, R-Fr.
 
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARD: Louisiana made some big plays defensively all season long, and when the team needed a big play the defense always seemed to step up and make it happen. The "Defensive Player of the Year Award" was given to the players how seemed to be there to make the big play when needed and was consistent throughout the entire season. The award was presented by Defensive Coordinator Ron Roberts.
 
Corey Turner, DB, Sr.
Justin Middleton, LB, Sr.
Bennie Higgins, DL, Jr.
 
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARD: It was a record-breaking season for Louisiana on the offensive side of the ball, and the "Offensive Player of the Year Award" was given to the players who played the most important roles in making that the case. The award was presented by Offensive Coordinator (OL) Rob Sale.
 
Trey Ragas, RB, So.
Elijah Mitchell, RB, So.
Ja’Marcus Bradley, WR, Jr.
 
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER AWARD: The MVP needs no introduction, and Louisiana had its share of MVPs throughout the season on both sides of the ball, but the team sat down and decided that several of their peers stood out among the rest and the "Most Valuable Player Award" was awarded to those members of the squad who most deserved it.  The award was presented by Assistant Football Coach (TE) Michael Desormeaux.
 
Trey Ragas, RB, So.
Ja’Marcus Bradley, WR, Jr.
Corey Turner, DB, Sr.
Chauncey Manac, LB, So.

GEAUX TO ORLANDEAUX: Louisiana fans have an exciting opportunity to stand up in the fight against cancer. The AutoNation Cure Bowl, featuring the Ragin’ Cajuns and Tulane on Saturday, Dec. 15, is unique across the entire college football bowl landscape, in that it directly supports breast cancer research. Proceeds from ticket sales for this season’s Cure Bowl will be donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF).
 
Ragin’ Cajuns supporters can donate $25 per ticket, with each ticket going towards worthy charitable causes in the local Orlando area. Fans can contact the Ragin’ Cajuns Athletic Foundation (RCAF) to make donations, calling 337-851-2903. All donations are 100-percent tax deductible.
 
For those attending the game in Orlando, tickets for the bowl start at just $25 (additional fees may apply). Further ticket options exist for $50. Tickets can be purchased by clicking here or by visiting the Louisiana Athletics Ticket Office at the CAJUNDOME. The ticket office can be reached by phone at (337) 265-2170.

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