JJ Garner leads Louisiana-Lafayette to bowl-eligibility again with 28-26 win over South Alabama

LAFAYETTE, La. -- , JJ Garner returned the opening kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown then ran for 136 yards as Louisiana-Lafayette reached bowl-eligibility with a 28-26 victory over South Alabama on Saturday night. The Ragin’ Cajuns (6-3, 3-2 Sun Belt) have a streak of reaching bowl eligibility for nine consecutive seasons, the ninth-longest active streak in the Football Bowl Subdivision. In a game of big plays on offense, defense and special teams, it was the Ragin' Cajuns who came up with the last highlight when Micah Johnson intercepted a Bishop Davenport pass with less than two minutes remaining in the game. After Garner's kickoff return touchdown staked Louisiana-Lafayette to an early lead, he opened the second quarter with a 65-yard touchdown run for a 14-7 lead. South Alabama then tied it up when Jaylen Moson returned an interception 72 yards for a score.