Courtesy of LA Tech Athletic Communications
Louisiana Tech used a dominant defensive performance and three second-half touchdowns to shut out in-state rival ULM 24-0 Saturday night at Malone Stadium, extending its winning streak to three games while remaining unbeaten in Sun Belt Conference play.
The Bulldogs (4-2, 2-0 SBC) earned their first shutout since defeating Southeastern Louisiana 24-0 in the 2025 season opener and their first shutout victory in Monroe since a 23-0 win over ULM (0-6, 0-2 SBC) in 1988.
“I’m extremely proud of Coach (Luke) Olson and our defensive staff and defensive players to get a shutout,” said Tech head coach Sonny Cumbie. “It’s really hard to do that. The takeaways that they were able to create, I mean, just the preparation that our players had all week.
“He challenged our defensive unit on Tuesday to play four quarters of our style of football because we hadn’t done that yet. And I think our guys answered the bell, and they played really well.”
After a scoreless first half, Louisiana Tech seized control when Taeden Rogers intercepted a ULM pass on the opening play of the third quarter. The turnover sparked the Bulldogs’ offense, which capitalized on the short field with a touchdown drive capped by Sergio Snider’s 5-yard scoring run, his third rushing touchdown of the season.
Louisiana Tech’s defense continued to control the contest, forcing consecutive three-and-outs following the opening touchdown. The Bulldogs extended their lead later in the third quarter when quarterback Blake Baker connected with Brayden Bockler on a 2-yard shovel pass for Bockler’s first touchdown as a Bulldog.
Cumbie said his team responded well after struggling offensively during the first two quarters.
“Our players started to play the way that they’re coached to, and they started to execute,” Cumbie said. “Our quarterbacks saw the field better. We ran the football better, and we rose up together.”
The Bulldogs added another touchdown in the fourth quarter following a 56-yard reverse by Marcus Calwise Jr. that moved the ball deep into ULM territory. Baker capped the possession with a 1-yard touchdown pass to Bockler, giving the tight end his first career multi-touchdown receiving performance.
Louisiana Tech’s defense delivered another pivotal play in the fourth quarter when Kam Franklin intercepted a pass and returned it 66 yards to the ULM 10-yard line. Kaegen Kent followed with a 21-yard field goal to extend the Bulldogs’ lead to 24-0.
The Warhawks threatened to break the shutout on their final possession, advancing inside the Louisiana Tech 20-yard line before the Bulldog defense forced a turnover on downs with 1:38 remaining. Trey Kukuk later converted a first down on an 11-yard run to seal the victory.
Calwise highlighted the Bulldogs’ offensive production with career highs of eight receptions and 119 receiving yards. Andrew Burnette recorded his third consecutive game with at least 50 rushing yards, while Bockler finished with two touchdown receptions.
Defensively, Louisiana Tech recorded multiple interceptions for the second consecutive game and the third time this season. The Bulldogs have now forced at least one turnover in nine consecutive games dating back to 2025.
The victory marked Louisiana Tech’s first three-game winning streak since the end of the 2025 season and gave the Bulldogs their ninth consecutive victory over ULM.
Saturday’s contest marked the first meeting between the two Interstate 20 rivals since 2000, and Cumbie acknowledged that the excitement surrounding the renewed rivalry may have contributed to Tech’s slow offensive start.
“I think our players, in the first half offensively in particular, were a little frenzied, and maybe that had something to do with it from the standpoint of the excitement of this rivalry being renewed, the excitement of playing in this game,” Cumbie said.
“I thought it was an unbelievable atmosphere. I really appreciate all of our fans that made the trip. When we took the field, you definitely could hear them and you could feel them, and so that was exciting to see.”
