by Malcolm Butler
Louisiana Tech returns home tonight to host WKU as kickoff at Joe Aillet Stadium is set for 7 p.m.
The contest can be heard on the LA Tech Sports Network on 107.5 FM with Malcolm Butler (PxP), Teddy Allen (color) and Jerry Byrd (sideline) providing a call of the game.
Tech (3-3, 2-0) and WKU (3-2, 2-0) are two of the three teams in CUSA that are undefeated in league play (Liberty).
“We are excited about the great challenge of playing Western Kentucky,” said Tech head coach Sonny Cumbie. “We had a really courageous effort from our team on Friday night against UTEP. We won a football game on the road for the first time in a very very long time here at Louisiana Tech. We celebrated that but we have put that al behind us.
“Now we are 2-0 in conference and have a great opportunity against Western Kentucky this week. I anticipate a great student turnout and a great turnout from North Louisiana. We are playing a great opponent in Western Kentucky.”
The Hilltoppers are led by senior QB Austin Reed, who is considered the top passer in CUSA. WKU is a pass-first, run-second type of team and Reed is the catalyst.
“The natural arm talent that he has stands out,” said Cumbie. “He has an unbelievable release. He gets the ball out very quick and he is very accurate. You can tell just be watching him, the confidence he has in himself and the confidence he has being out there.
“He fits the scheme and immersed himself really well. He understands what he is trying to accomplish. He gets the ball to his playmakers and throws the ball downfield very well. He is really hard to sack I think he has only been sacked three times this year. He is very accurate.”
The Bulldogs are coming off a short week after playing in El Paso last Friday while WKU played last Thursday. Cumbie said Tech won’t use it as an excuse and has focused on being smart with its practice time and recovery this week.
“Preparation, we have to get a certain number of reps on plays to allow ourselves to execute at a high level,” said Cumbie in regards to practice. “Ultimately what we want to do on this stage is execute at a high level on special teams, defense and offense. We want to have a great sideline and to do those things you have to have lots of energy.
“The team that is the most excited to play has an upper hand. Being able to try to inspire your team on short weeks. There is a lot of different things that go into it but our players have handled it very well. At practice last night I thought it was very intentional. They came out with an intent to prepare really well on a short week.”
The Bulldogs lead the all-time series 5-4, including a 4-1 mark in games played in Ruston.
