Cajuns Seek Rebound Against Rival Southern Miss

UL football team looks to bounce back from recent struggles in matchup with longtime foe.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 1:42pm

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A fractured, geometric painting depicting a college football game, with sharp planes of color representing the players and action on the field.The intense rivalry between the Cajuns and Golden Eagles is captured in a cubist-inspired illustration that deconstructs the action on the field.Lafayette Today

The UL Ragin' Cajuns football team is preparing to face their longtime rival, the Southern Miss Golden Eagles, as they look to get back on track after a recent string of losses. The in-state matchup comes at a challenging time for the Cajuns, who are hoping to regain their footing against a familiar foe.

Why it matters

The Cajuns-Southern Miss rivalry is one of the most intense in the region, with the two programs battling for in-state supremacy. A win over their rival could provide a much-needed boost for the Cajuns as they try to turn their season around and make a push for a conference title.

The details

The Cajuns have struggled to a 2-4 record so far this season, dropping tough games against some of the top teams in their conference. They'll be looking to get back on track against a Southern Miss squad that has also had its fair share of ups and downs in the early going. The Cajuns will need to shore up their defense and find more consistency on offense to give themselves a chance against their longtime rivals.

  • The Cajuns and Golden Eagles are set to square off on Saturday, April 12, 2026.
  • This will be the 48th all-time meeting between the two programs, with Southern Miss holding a 26-21 advantage in the series.

The players

UL Ragin' Cajuns

The football team representing the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, a Division I program that competes in the Sun Belt Conference.

Southern Miss Golden Eagles

The football team representing the University of Southern Mississippi, a Division I program that competes in Conference USA.

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What they’re saying

“We know this is a big game for our program and our fans. Our guys are excited for the challenge and ready to give it their all against a tough rival.”

— Michael Desormeaux, Head Coach, UL Ragin' Cajuns

“This is always a hard-fought game, no matter the records or circumstances. We're expecting a battle and we're going to have to bring our best effort to come out on top.”

— Will Hall, Head Coach, Southern Miss Golden Eagles

What’s next

The winner of the Cajuns-Golden Eagles matchup will take a step closer to securing a spot in their respective conference championship game.

The takeaway

The Cajuns-Southern Miss rivalry is a long-standing tradition in the region, and this year's matchup carries added importance as both teams look to bounce back from early-season struggles and position themselves for a strong finish to the year.