Football: Rolle Named Sun Belt Defensive POW

Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajuns senior safety Maurice Rolle, Jr. was named the Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Week, as announced by the conference office on Monday.

Rolle was the hero of the Cajuns defense on Saturday, as UL opened conference play with a 31-24 victory over Arkansas State.  After the Cajuns built a 31-7 lead, ASU mounted a comeback with 17 unanswered points.  With the Red Wolves driving for the tying score, Rolle intercepted quarterback Ryan Aplin’s pass with 1:59 on the clock to secure victory. 

Rolle led the Cajuns with seven tackles, all solos.  The Cajuns defense was dominant stopping the run, allowing just 18 yards on 19 carries.  ASU didn’t take an offensive snap on the Cajuns side of the field until there was under seven minutes remaining in the second quarter. 

Other award winning performances by the Cajuns include Rivals.com naming quarterback Chris Masson the Sun Belt Conference Player of the Week and CollegeFootballPerformace.com naming Ladarius Green an honorable mention for National Tight End of the Week.  Green was the runner-up for Louisiana Sportswriters Offensive Player of the Week, while punter Spencer Ortego was runner-up for LSWA Special Team POW.

Masson tossed a second quarter touchdown pass after missing several plays due to a knee injury and then added a career-long 60-yard scoring run in the third quarter.  UL improved to 7-0 when Masson does not throw an interception. 

Green had a game-high seven receptions for 97 yards and a touchdown.  Of his seven catches, six generated a first down, of which three came on third down.  Ortego averaged 42.0 yards on six punts, four of which were at or inside the 20-yard line.

— Ragin’ Cajuns —