JOURNAL SPORTS
Louisiana Tech head coach Sonny Cumbie told media members Tuesday he isn’t quite ready to announce a starting quarterback with Saturday’s opener against Southeastern Louisiana approaching.
Tech and the Lions will kick off Saturday at 6:30 p.m. at Joe Aillet Stadium as the Bulldogs put a home opening 11-game winning streak on the line.
“I think right now we will make the decision at the end of the week,” said Cumbie, speaking to the media gaggle. “We have had 19 practices of fall camp. The three quarterbacks – Blake (Baker), Evan (Bullock) and Trey (Kukuk) — have all taken reps with the ones. We will decide that Saturday, right before kickoff.
“I am excited about all three. I think all three are really unique in their skillset. I think we can win a championship with all three … I think that’s always important. You don’t want to win a game despite someone (playing) from the standpoint of what you have to call.
“I am looking forward to seeing all three of them when they get their opportunity. I know with the players around them, they will make plays.”
Kukuk, pronounced Q-kuk, is a 6-foot-1 inch transfer from Saddleback College. The California native saw action in 21 games during his first two years of college, passing for over 3,500 yards and 39 TDs. He is a dual threat option as proven by rushing for almost 600 yards and 12 scores during the two years at Saddleback College.
Bullock started 10 games for Tech last season, passing for 2,100 yards and 14 scores while only throwing three interceptions. The 6-foot-5-inch native of Anna, Texas, earned All-CUSA Freshman Team honors. His top performance came in a win over Middle Tennessee, when he passed for 290 yard and five scores.
Baker saw action in just two games last season before suffering a broken collarbone in game two of the year against Tulsa that sidelined him for the rest of the year. The 6-foot-5-inch native of Cypress, Texas, threw for 314 yards and one score in limited action.
When asked what would be the determining factor in his decision, Cumbie pointed towards consistency.
“I think it’s consistency in terms of how they operate from an accuracy standpoint and a decision making standpoint,” said Cumbie. “The things you can judge on paper you take into account and quantify that. But I think you also quantify how does the football team rally around them. And how does the ball move, and the type of energy they operate with. All of those things factor in to it.”
The contest can be seen on ESPN+ and heard on the LA Tech Sports Network.
