What Happened to Ben Wooldridge? Louisiana’s Starting QB Missing In Action for Ragin’ Cajuns

    Ben Wooldridge was integral to Louisiana's success in 2024, but he's been missing in action since Week 12. What exactly happened and when could he return?

    The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns are about as red-hot as you can be, winners of eight of their last nine games. They’re not just red-hot, they’ve been an incredibly solid team all year long, finishing with a 10-2 record with both of their losses coming by a combined 10 points.

    The biggest driver of their success has been Ben Wooldridge, their quarterback, who is set to miss the Sun Belt Championship.

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    Is Ben Wooldridge Playing Today?

    Wooldridge exited the Ragin’ Cajuns game in Week 12 against South Alabama, coming up lame after a scramble saw him land awkwardly on his shoulder. As he attempted to try and walk off the injury, it was clear something was wrong and he fell to the ground after attempting to walk off the field.

    After a lengthy time on the field and a commercial break, Chandler Fields ultimately stepped in as the team’s quarterback.

    Following the game, it was reported that Wooldridge would miss at least four weeks of action. This was, of course, reported on November 17, meaning Wooldridge wouldn’t quite make it to the Sun Belt Championship Game, had the team made it.

    And now, as the team looks to win the Sun Belt again, they’ll be without Wooldridge.

    Chandler Fields’ Starting Experience

    Replacing Wooldridge is nothing new to Fields. A former starter himself who was once replaced by Wooldridge, these two quarterbacks have seamlessly taken over for one another in three consecutive seasons now.

    Fields replaced Wooldridge in Week 12 and nearly brought Louisiana back from a 24-3 deficit in the process.

    For the season, Fields has thrown for 793 yards and five touchdowns with just two starts to his credit in 2024. However, he started a handful of games in 2023 and 2022, and has appeared in at least two games a season since 2019.

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    Throughout his five-year career with the Cajuns, Fields has thrown for 3,107 yards and 24 touchdowns against just eight interceptions. He’s won two straight starts to clinch the Sun Belt West for Louisiana and has them entering the Sun Belt Championship Game on a hot streak.

    And you better believe Wooldridge will be cheering on his long-time teammate against Marshall.

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