16 Louisiana-Lafayette beat UTSA 31-24 in the First Responder Bowl on Saturday at SMU’s Ford Stadium. The Ragin’ Cajuns (10-1) drove 72 yards in 12 plays for the winning score after UTSA (7-5) overcame a 24-7 second-half deficit to tie it. UTSA: The Roadrunners, playing in the program’s second bowl, fell short of compiling the first four-game winning streak in the program’s nine-year history. The Ragin’ Cajuns are scheduled to open at Texas after upsetting then-No. UTSA: The Roadrunners should be experienced at the offensive skill positions with Harris, a junior, and sophomore running back Sincere McCormick scheduled to return.

Louisiana-Lafayette was 0-8 against Appalachian State, including losses in the last two conference championship games. But Ferrod Gardner and Chauncey Manac combined to sack Appalachian State quarterback Zac Thomas on a fourth-and-9 play at the Lafayette 29. Appalachian State beat Louisiana-Lafayette four times in the previous two seasons, twice in the championship game on this same field. 14 Coastal Carolina in the Sun Belt Conference championship game on Dec. 19. Appalachian State: Head on the road to face Georgia Southern on Dec. 12 in the regular season finale.