Football: Toney Named Defensive Coordinator of the Week by Athlon Sports

First-year coordinator made his debut in upset win over No. 23 Iowa State

LAFAYETTE – It was a debut to remember for first-year defensive coordinator Patrick Toney, who was named the Defensive Coordinator of the Week by Athlon Sports following No. 19 Louisiana’s upset road win over No. 23 Iowa State on Saturday.

Toney’s defense held the Cyclones to just 14 points and 303 total yards, with no play going longer than 19 yards. Additionally, the defense held Iowa State scoreless over the final 31:17 of the ballgame.

The team also forced two turnovers with an interception by AJ Washington, the fourth of his career, and a forced fumble by Jourdan Quibodeaux which was recovered by Percy Butler.

Linebacker Lorenzo McCaskill led the Ragin’ Cajuns with 10 total tackles, tied for the third-most tackles in a season opener, while Ferrod Gardner posted nine tackles and 1.0 sack, the first full sack of his career.

Following the game, Gardner was named the Walter Camp FBS National Defensive Player of the Week and the Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Week.

As a team, the Ragin’ Cajuns received their first-ever national rankings in the modern era after the historic victory by being voted No. 19 in the Associated Press Top 25 Poll and No. 21 in the USA Today Amway Coaches Poll.
 
Louisiana returns to action on Saturday, Sept. 19, when it travels to Atlanta to open Sun Belt Conference play against Georgia State. Kickoff is slated for 11 a.m. CST and will be broadcast nationally on ESPN2.