by Malcolm Butler
Louisiana Tech will look for its second win in six days when the Bulldogs travel to Las Cruces to face New Mexico State tonight.
Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. CT at Aggie Memorial Stadium. The contest can be heard on 107.5 FM with Malcolm Butler and Teddy Allen providing a call of the game (pregame show starts at 6:30 p.m.).
Tech (2-3, 1-1) is coming off its most impressive performance of the season with a 47-21 victory over Middle Tennessee last Thursday night in Ruston.
New Mexico State (1-5, 0-3) fell 54-13 at Jacksonville State in its last outing last Wednesday night.
Tech head coach Sonny Cumbie said although the turnaround is quick, he thinks his team is ready to continue the momentum generated from last week’s win.
“It is a short turnaround so we did lose a day of practice,” said Cumbie. “We lost some time in terms of game planning. In terms of physical reps, Saturday and Sunday night in The Joe were walk throughs.
“I want our team to play fast and physical in this game. In able to do that we needed to get rested. I think we are confident in what we are doing from a scheme standpoint. I think we are in a really good spot. We were very intentional in the walk throughs.
“We have a short turn around to build off of the momentum of the win (over Middle Tennessee). I feel like this is good for us as far as rhythm and routine and as far as the momentum we created last Thursday.”
After scoring just 50 points in its previous three games — all losses — Tech exploded for 48 points against the Blue Raiders, recording season highs in points, total yards, passing yards, rushing yards, and third down conversions.
Cumbie gave credit Nathan Young, who took over the play calling for the Bulldogs last week.
“I think Nathan did a great job,” said Cumbie. “He was very deliberate in his game plan and the play calling. He was very confident. It was an outstanding job of getting our offense in third and medium and third and short.”
Redshirt freshman quarterback Evan Bullock completed 17-of-25 passes for 290 yards and five TDs while running for a sixth score in just his second collegiate start.
New Mexico State has struggled defensively, allowing opponents 38 points per game and 277 yards per game on the ground. The Aggies have allowed at least 30 points in each of their last five games (all losses), including 104 over the past two games.
Tech leads the all-times series 8-5, although New Mexico State won last year’s meeting 27-24 in Ruston on its way to a spot in the CUSA Championship game.
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