By Malcolm Butler
Behind another dominating defensive performance, a strong first half from quarterback Blake Baker and a steady relief effort from Trey Kukuk, Louisiana Tech rolled to a 41-17 road victory over Troy Saturday afternoon at Veterans Memorial Stadium.
The victory was the sixth straight for Tech (7-2, 5-0 Sun Belt), which remained unbeaten in conference play and moved within one victory of clinching the Sun Belt West Division championship with three regular-season games remaining. Tech will host Southern Miss next Saturday at Joe Aillet Stadium with a chance to clinch a spot in the Sun Belt Conference title game in December.
Once again, it was the Bulldog defense that stole the show.
Tech forced five turnovers, limited Troy to just 47 rushing yards — 150 below its season average — and held the Trojans’ offense scoreless in the second half. The Bulldogs have now gone 131 consecutive minutes of second-half football without allowing a point, dating back to the fourth quarter of their Oct. 10 game against Louisiana-Lafayette.
“It’s a great win, a great team win,” said Tech head coach Sonny Cumbie. “It’s hard to win games. You’re coming to a place where they win 70% of their home games. It’s homecoming. These guys have been defending West Division champs. They just knocked off James Madison on James Madison’s home field.
“This is a good football team that we just beat, and our guys are a good football team. We’re going to keep playing well. We’re going to keep preparing Monday through Friday. Defense is going to create takeaways.”
The Bulldogs’ defensive dominance was particularly impressive considering Troy entered the contest fresh off an upset victory over James Madison. Tech held Troy to 262 yards of total offense, including just 47 on the ground, while forcing four fumbles and intercepting a pass.
Linebacker Alonzo Jackson Jr. led the charge with 11 tackles, two sacks and a 66-yard fumble return for a touchdown with 1:05 remaining that provided the final margin. Kolbe Fields added 10 tackles and a sack, while Janard Lockhardt recorded an interception that set up a third-quarter touchdown.
“It’s awesome watching our defense play,” Kukuk said. “As a spectator on the sideline, watching them fly around and make plays, and then obviously, when they’re getting takeaways, they’re putting you in a good position to go score. That’s one of the best defenses in the country, and it’s a blast to watch every day in practice and then on Saturdays especially.”
The Bulldogs also overcame the loss of Baker, who exited the game after a tremendous first-half performance. Baker completed 16 of 19 passes for 177 yards and a touchdown before giving way to Kukuk, who completed 8 of 10 passes for 68 yards and a score.
“That’s what Trey does. He’s a winner,” Cumbie said. “He’s always ready, whether it’s in the backfield or receiver. Hated it for Blake. I don’t think it’s anything long term. The guy was making throws. The first half, he was putting the ball in tight windows and had a phenomenal first half throwing the ball. Hopefully, we’ll get him back for next week.”
Tech trailed 7-3 after one quarter before taking control with 17 second-quarter points. Baker connected with Marcus Calwise Jr. on a 28-yard touchdown pass, Kaegan Kent added a 28-yard field goal and Sergio Snider scored on a 7-yard run to give the Bulldogs a 20-10 halftime advantage.
Troy closed within 20-17 early in the third quarter when Delvin Whitaker recovered a Baker fumble in the end zone on the Bulldogs first possession coming out of the lockerroom. But Kukuk responded by directing a 15-play, 74-yard scoring drive capped by a 2-yard touchdown pass to Eli Finley.
Moments later, Lockhardt’s interception set up an 11-yard touchdown run by Andrew Burnette, pushing the advantage to 34-17.
Calwise finished with nine receptions for 137 yards and a touchdown as Tech totaled 351 yards of offense.
“Every week is another week, and we’ve got a group of guys who I think understand that,” Cumbie said. “We’ve got to start over once we get home. We’re going to evaluate this film on the way home.”
Kukuk echoed that sentiment.
“It feels amazing,” Kukuk said. “I think the message was we were pretty doubted coming into the league early on as the newcomers of the league.
“For us to leave our mark on this league and do what we’re doing … it’s amazing. But we’ve got to keep it rolling. We’ve got to finish out these three games and really put Louisiana Tech on the map.”
