Courtesy of Staff Reports
Louisiana Tech’s defense gave the Bulldogs opportunities throughout the night, but the offense could not capitalize enough as No. 8 LSU pulled away for a 45-14 win Saturday night at Tiger Stadium.
The Bulldogs (1-1) forced four turnovers in the first half, including a record-setting 100-yard interception return for a touchdown by Jordan McRae.
But Tech managed just 132 yards of total offense as LSU (2-0) overcame the early miscues and eventually took control.
“I was very proud of how hard our guys played for four quarters,” Louisiana Tech coach Sonny Cumbie said. “We can focus on what we didn’t do as we watch the film and learn from it, but they played extremely hard for four quarters.
“Our kids fought. They strained their bodies. They laid it on the line, and we just didn’t make enough plays from an offensive standpoint to keep us in the game.”
McRae provided Tech’s only points of the first half when he intercepted LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt and returned it 100 yards for a touchdown with 1:53 remaining in the second quarter. It was the longest interception or fumble return in Louisiana Tech history.
McRae was one of three Bulldogs to intercept Leavitt in the opening half, joining Zheric Hill and Kam Franklin. McRae also forced a fumble that Janard Lockhardt recovered and returned 35 yards.
Tech’s defense also slowed LSU on the ground early, holding the Tigers to 13 rushing yards in the first quarter and 44 in the first half. The Bulldogs finished with 11 tackles for loss, giving them consecutive games with double-digit tackles for loss for the first time since 2019. Tech also recorded five sacks.
Alonzo Jackson Jr. led Tech with 12 tackles, including three sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss. McRae added 11 tackles to go along with his interception and forced fumble.
“I think defensively we just played a tremendous performance,” Cumbie said. “I think we got tired late. We did a great job of keeping their quarterback on his heels in terms of throwing the football. We knew he was going to make plays with his feet. He’s very dynamic and a really great runner. He hurt us a couple of times there.”
While the defense repeatedly gave Tech opportunities, the Bulldogs struggled to sustain anything offensively against LSU’s defense.
“We just didn’t play enough offense,” Cumbie said. “I also think that the team we are going against is probably one of the best defenses that I’ve ever seen. They’re really fast. They’re big. They’re athletic.
“We had our opportunities early in the game and didn’t create as much momentum as we would have liked to.”
Jalen Mickens provided Tech’s biggest offensive play, hauling in a 67-yard touchdown pass from Blake Baker in the fourth quarter. Mickens finished with six receptions for 101 yards, becoming the first Bulldog with consecutive 100-yard receiving games since Tru Edwards in 2024.
Baker completed 11 of 21 passes for 128 yards and one touchdown. Tech’s 132 yards of total offense were its fewest since managing 154 against LSU last season.
Louisiana Tech returns to the road Saturday when the Bulldogs travel to Waco, Texas, to face Baylor at McLane Stadium. It will be the seventh meeting between the programs and the first since 1996.
