JOURNAL SPORTS
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Louisiana Tech nearly knocked off one of the co-leaders in Conference USA last Saturday, but a Hail Mary touchdown on the final play of regulation paved the way for Jacksonville State to stun the Bulldogs in overtime.
A week later, Tech takes its shot at the other CUSA front-runner.
The Bulldogs visit a hot Western Kentucky team in a Saturday morning contest kicking off at 11 a.m., with coverage on CBS Sports Network and the Tech broadcast on 107.5 FM with Malcolm Butler and Teddy Allen calling the action.
WKU (7-2 overall, 5-0 CUSA) has won four straight. Tech (3-6, 2-4) is 0-4 on the road this season.
Although the loss last Saturday was brutal to endure, it also produced some superlatives for the Bulldogs.
Tech racked up 400 yards of offense for just the second time this season against the Gamecocks. The Bulldogs recorded their fourth game of 100 rushing yards with 144 on the ground, to pair with 266 yards through the air.
Tech finished with multiple passing touchdowns for the fourth time this season, while it was the second time the offense has logged multiple rushing touchdowns in a game.
“Western Kentucky’s defensive front is big and they are really good pass rushers,” said Tech head coach Sonny Cumbie. “They are really able to effect the line of scrimmage. They do a really nice job from a coverage standpoint. They are multiple with their coverages with a high percentage of man coverage.”
WKU will provide a test with its aerial attack which ranks among the league leaders in CUSA.
“They are just as explosive at Jacksonville State, but they go about it a different way,” said Cumbie. “They go about it throwing the ball. They have an extremely athletic, talented quarterback who throws the football down the field very well. He is at around 70 percent when it comes to completion percentage.
“And their running backs are good players. They do use the running game and they are effective with it as well.”
The Bulldog defense remains a top 20 defense in the nation, sitting at No. 18 with 312 yards allowed per game. Tech is ranked 35th in run defense (120.8) and 28th in pass defense (191.2).
The Bulldogs are the only defense in the CUSA to allow less than 300 rushing yards to Jax State, surrendering just 191 yards to the Gamecocks.
Tech’s defense has forced five turnovers in their past two games, including three against Jax State. Kolbe Fields and Blake Thompson both forced their second fumbles of the season against the Gamecocks, while Jacob Fields intercepted his first career pass.
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