Preview: Wildcats vs Yellowjackets (Senior Day)

Football 11/8/2018 3:31:00 PM LC Sports Information - Brad Welborn

Preview: Wildcats vs Yellowjackets (Senior Day)

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Louisiana College football will take to the field one last time in the 2018 season as they host Howard Payne University on senior day. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m. from Wildcat Stadium and can be heard live on 104.3 FM The Bridge and viewed via www.lcwildcats.net.

LC (4-5, 4-4 ASC) was overwhelmed last week against the #2 team in the country Mary Hardin-Baylor. Seven costly turnovers that resulted in six Cru touchdowns doomed any chance the Wildcats had at pulling the upset and ending UMHB's long conference winning streak.

Up against one of the best defenses in the country the Wildcats totaled 156 yards of offense, their second lowest total of the season but were able to produce a productive touchdown drive with primarily freshmen and sophomores on the field. Freshman quarterback Landon Lalonde moved the ball down the field on two chunk plays to Drake Battaglia before freshman Markaylin Milburn scored his first touchdown as a Wildcat to prevent the Cru shutout.

Howard Payne (1-8, 1-7 ASC) suffered their seventh loss in a row last week in a 54-17 rout by Southwestern. In the game quarterback Gage McClanahan broke the school record for single game completions going 39-of-62 on the day for 318 yards. Despite the high completion numbers the Yellowjackets were shut out in the second half despite winning the time of possession battle by more than 11 minutes.

This season the HPU has struggled offensively averaging just 16.9 points per game on 255.1 yards of offense. McClanahan has been their most consistent player with 10 touchdowns passes on the year at 181.9 passing yards per outing.

The Wildcats will look to take advantage of the Howard Payne rushing defense that ranks ninth in the ASC in yards allowed at 248.0 per game even though the LC rushing game has not been what it was expected to be at the beginning of the season.

"I think they are one of the most improved teams in the league, even though the record may not show it," Head Coach Justin Charles said. "They run the ball well but have some talented wide receivers as well. They've moved the ball on everybody they've played especially with their tempo game."

With a win the Wildcats will complete their first non-losing season since 2014 when they went 6-4 overall and 4-1 in conference play. It would also be the first time since that season they finished the year with a winning record in ASC play.

Saturday's game will be broadcast live on The Bridge 104.3 FM and through the station's web site beginning with the pre-game show starting at 5:30 p.m. with Rich Dupree, Doug Gann, and Al Quartemont. Live stat and video links are available at www.lcwildcats.net.

Saturday will serve as senior day for the Wildcats, with pregame activities scheduled to begin at 11:30 a.m. The Wildcats will honor 13 senior football players as well as three cheerleaders prior to kickoff.

Parking is available throughout campus on a first come first serve basis except for the reserved parking lot behind the stadium which is reserved for season ticket holders, LC Board of Visitors, and LC Trustees. Game time is scheduled for 12 p.m., gates open one-hour before kickoff.

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Players Mentioned

#2 Drake Battaglia: WR; 5' 8"; Senior

#36 Markaylin Milburn: RB; 5' 7"; Freshman

#14 Landon Lalonde: QB; 6' 0"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#2 Drake Battaglia
: 5' 8"; Senior
: WR

#36 Markaylin Milburn
: 5' 7"; Freshman
: RB

#14 Landon Lalonde
: 6' 0"; Freshman
: QB

Players Mentioned

#2 Drake Battaglia

#36 Markaylin Milburn

#14 Landon Lalonde

Players Mentioned

#2 Drake Battaglia

#36 Markaylin Milburn

#14 Landon Lalonde