Journal Sports
RUSTON – A confrontation between a stout Louisiana Tech defense and a high-speed, powerful run game from Jacksonville State will be the pivotal matchup Saturday – yes, Saturday – at Aillet Stadium.
After a month with four midweek games, Louisiana Tech returns to normally scheduled Saturday football as the Bulldogs will host the Conference USA-leading Gamecocks for homecoming at 3:30 p.m. at Aillet Stadium.
“I think with Homecoming there is an element of excitement that accompanies the game,” said head coach Sonny Cumbie. “You have so many people who come back for this game. The excitement starts to build earlier in the week because there are so many events on campus. I think there is always a little extra juice and vibrancy to this week.”
Tech enters the contest with a 3-5 (2-3 CUSA) record. On a five-game win streak, Jax State enters the matchup tied for first in the CUSA at a 5-3 (4-0 CUSA) mark. The Gamecocks are averaging 464.9 yards offensively, 12th nationally, and their 6.2 yards per rushing attempt is third in the country.
Jacksonville State, under former Michigan and West Virginia coach Rich Rodriguez, has won five straight. The Gamecocks run fast – averaging a play on the road every 21.7 seconds, fifth-fastest nationally.
Tech must make its case with defense.
“This is going to be strength on strength,” said Cumbie. “I am excited and I know our players on defense are really excited. We haven’t played a team that can run the football as effectively as what Jacksonville State does and at that tempo.
“Trey Stewart, their running back, is the best running back we have played this year. He is a really good player. They have rushed for over 350 yards per game in conference. It will be a great challenge for us.”
The Bulldog defense climbed to 14th nationally in total defense after allowing just 268 yards to Sam Houston, marking the second consecutive game and third time this season they’ve held an opponent under 270 yards. The Bulldogs held the Bearkats to 105 yards on the ground, which is the 5th time they’ve held a team under 105 rushing yards. The Bulldogs now rank 28th in run defense (112.0 YPG), and 31st in pass defense (190.1 YPG).
Tech is the only team in the CUSA that hasn’t allowed 1,000 rushing yards and is one of 20 teams in the FBS to do so.
Tech finished its CUSA weekday schedule with a 2-2 record. The Bulldogs defeated Middle Tennessee and UTEP at home, while narrowly falling to New Mexico State and Sam Houston on the road. The two losses were decided by a combined nine points.
Tech will look to pick up its fourth win at home this season, which would be the most since the Bulldogs won six games at Joe Aillet Stadium in 2019. The Bulldogs enter Saturday’s contest with a 3-1 record at home with wins over Nicholls, Middle Tennessee, and UTEP. With two home games remaining, Tech could finish with a 5-1 mark at home.
Wide receiver Tru Edwards is just 150 yards away from reaching 1,000 career receiving yards as a Bulldog. The redshirt senior has racked up 850 in three seasons in Ruston, with a career-high 566 yards coming through eight games this season.
The game will be telecast nationally on CBS Sports Network, and broadcast locally on 107.5 FM with Malcolm Butler, Teddy Allen and Jerry Byrd describing the action.
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