Louisiana-Lafayette 38, North Texas 29

10/7/2007 12:47 AM

LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) -Michael Desormeaux had four touchdowns to lead Louisiana-Lafayette to its first victory of the year Saturday night, 38-29 over still-winless North Texas.

Desormeaux scored on runs of 73 and 4 yards, and on passes of 14 and 3 yards for the Ragin' Cajuns (1-5, 1-1 Sun Belt Conference). He finished with 18 carries for 150 yards and 10-of-20 passing for 114 yards.

The Cajuns scored first and never trailed, but the teams traded scores the entire game. Louisiana-Lafayette led 14-12 at halftime, and North Texas (0-5, 0-2) got within two points twice after that.

On the first play of the second half, Desormeaux faked an inside handoff to Tyrell Fenroy (7-123) and peeled around the left side. He broke several tackles as he ran 73 yards - a personal record - and dove into the end zone.

Giovanni Vizza capped an 11-play, 74-yard drive with an 8-yard pass to Brock Stickler in the corner of the end zone to make the score 21-19.

A 3-yard pass from Desormeaux to Kevin Belton gave the Cajuns a 28-19 edge at the end of the third quarter. It was Belton's second reception, and second touchdown, of the season.

Vizza's 27-yard pass to Casey Fitzgerald, who had 14 receptiosn for 131 yards and two touchdowns, brought North Texas back within two points, 28-26.

Desormeaux's 4-yard run put the Cajuns ahead 35-26 with 7:16 left, and the teams traded field goals in the final minutes.

Jamario Thomas led North Texas with 60 yards on 13 carries.