It was assumed for weeks that Louisiana would be without starting quarterback Ben Woolridge, who has been out for several weeks due to a shoulder injury.
But on Friday, there was speculation that Woolridge was going to give it a go against the TCU Horned Frogs in the New Mexico Bowl on Saturday afternoon.
An article from the Acadiana Advocate noted that Woolridge was going to give it a go on Saturday vs. TCU, reporting, “All signs point to Wooldridge starting Saturday against the Horned Frogs.”
Woolridge said, “[Dr. Judson Penton] gave me words of encouragement and did the surgery the day after the game, so I could immediately start recovering. From that day and from that talk, that night his words and setting our sights on a late bowl game were pretty awesome.”
Related: 2024 New Mexico Bowl: Top Predictions, Odds, and How to Watch TCU vs. Louisiana
Woolridge suffered his injury on Saturday, November 16th late in the second quarter of UL’s loss to South Alabama, Wooldridge suffered a broken collarbone.
Woolridge is coming off the best season of his career, racking up 2,392 passing yards, completing over 68% of his passes and throwing 17 touchdowns to five interceptions, while rushing for another five sports.
TCU vs. Louisiana Line Movement
The line has been all over the place in this game. TCU opened up as an 8.5-point favorite, and it ballooned to TCU -12. But then on Friday, the line moved back towards Louisiana, as TCU is sitting at a 9.5 or 10-point favorite, depending on your sportsbook.
If Woolridge doesn’t go, it’s expected that Louisiana will turn to freshman quarterback Daniel Beale. Beale has only played in two games this season after taking over for Chandler Fields, who suffered his own shoulder injury late in the season. Beale has completed 10 of 26 passes this season and has one interception to zero touchdown passes.
TCU vs. Louisiana kicks off at 1:15 p.m. CT on ESPN.
