Who: Louisiana Tech at Old Dominion
Where: Kornblau Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium (Norfolk, Va.)
When: 2:30 p.m. Saturday
TV: CBS Sports Network
Radio: KXKZ 107.5 FM (Ruston), KDBS 1410 AM (Alexandria), KDBS 94.7 FM (Alexandria), WUBR 910 AM (Baton Rouge), KJVC 92.7 FM (Mansfield), KZBL 100.7 FM (Natchitoches), KOKA 980 AM (Shreveport), KOKA 93.3 FM (Shreveport), KNCB 1320 AM (Vivian), KNCB 104.1 FM (Vivian), KVCL 92.1 FM (Winnfield)
Radio Talent: Malcolm Butler (PxP) and Teddy Allen (Color) w/ pregame at 1 p.m.
Two teams in need of wins will be squaring off Saturday afternoon at Kornblau Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium when Louisiana Tech (2-5, 1-2 C-USA) travels to Norfolk, Virginia, to face Old Dominion (1-6, 0-3). Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. CT.
The Bulldogs have dropped three straight games, including back-to-back losses to league foes UTEP and UTSA. After averaging over 33 points per game in its first five games, Tech has scored a combined 19 in the two losses.
“Last week was disappointing with the way we played,” said Holtz about the loss to UTSA. “If you look at it statistically, it was a very even game with both teams having 400 yards. We were sloppy when you look at the way we performed. When you look at it, we had five plays that we gave away that led to 35 points which good football teams don’t do.
“There’s still a lot of football to play. I know it’s disappointing with where we are right now when you look at our record, but there’s still a lot of football to be played. If we can get a little momentum going on our side, hopefully, we can make a run going down the stretch here.”
Old Dominion has lost five straight games, including Conference USA losses to UTEP, Marshall and WKU. The Monarchs have played close games over the last month, dropping three one score games.
Holtz said that despite the rough stretch for the Bulldogs, they are ready for Saturday’s game and looking forward to getting back on the field. He also knows that ODU is better then their record indicates.
“We come back this week,” said Holtz. “We get ready for ODU. They’re a 1-6 football team, but when you put on the film they flash and do some really good things. The team is playing really hard. They have some talent. They’re coming off an open date last week.
“They made a change at quarterback last week. They went with the big 6-5 freshman (Hayden Wolff) who came in and threw for 340 yards. The transfer wide receiver from West Virginia (Ali Jennings III) had 13 catches. The transfer tight end from Penn State (Zack Kuntz) had nine. They had some guys really step up and do some good things.
“Defensively, they swarm to the ball. They play really hard. They run to the ball. Their linebackers are very active. Their safety (R’Tarriun Johnson) is downhill, knock the tar out of you. He comes down looking for contact. Overall, it will be a great challenge for us on the road and in the conference again. It’s really an opportunity for us to clean up some mistakes from last week and go play another conference game.”
Tech and Old Dominion have only met one other time, a 30-27 double overtime win by the Monarchs in 2014.
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