RUSTON, La. (Nov. 7, 2019) – The Louisiana Tech football team (7-1, 4-0) will take its seven-game winning streak into conference play this weekend, hosting west-division rival North Texas (4-5, 3-2 C-USA) in a Conference-USA matchup set for Saturday at 3:00 p.m. CT from Joe Aillet Stadium.
 
Date: Saturday, November 9, 2019
Time: 3:00 p.m.
Location: Ruston, La.
Venue: Joe Aillet Stadium (28,562)
                Surface: Artificial (FieldTurf Revolution)
Series: LA Tech leads, 10-7
                In Ruston: LA Tech leads, 4-2
                Last: (2017, North Texas won 24-23)
                In Denton: LA Tech leads 6-1
                Last: (2018, Tech won 29-27)
                In Shreveport: North Texas leads, 4-0
                Last: (1979, North Texas won 19-17)
Live Stats: LATechSports.com
Live Audio: Tunein.com (Louisiana Tech Football)
Twitter Updates: @LATechFB
 
Media
TV: Stadium/Facebook
PxP: Chris Hassel
Analyst: AJ Hawk
Sideline: Kristen Balboni
 
Radio: LA Tech Sports Network (KXKZ 107.5 FM)
PxP: Dave Nitz
Analyst: Teddy Allen
Sideline: Nick Brown
 
Game Notes

• Louisiana Tech enters Saturday's contest vs. North Texas as one of the hottest teams in the nation. Its seven-game winning streak is the sixth-longest active streak in FBS.
• Tech's streak of seven straight is its longest since 2016 and is just the fourth time in the last 45 years with a streak of seven or more victories.
• The Bulldogs are bowl eligible for the sixth-straight season under head coach Skip Holtz.
• Tech's 4-0 start in C-USA play is its best start to conference action since 2014.
• For the fourth straight week, the Bulldogs were recognized in both the Coaches and AP Polls, receiving votes in both (7 in AP, 13 in Coaches).
• The Bulldogs posted an undefeated month of October for the third time under Holtz (21-5 in Oct. with Tech).
• The Bulldogs' 7-1 start to the 2019 season is its best since 2012, when the Bulldogs went 10-1 before losing the final two games of the season. At 4-0 in C-USA, this is Tech's best start in C-USA action since 2014. Through its first 7 games, the Tech offense is averaging 36.4 PPG. Last season, the Bulldogs averaged just 24.7 points per contest. After scoring 35 or more points just once in 2018, Tech has done it five times in 2019.
• Tech senior quarterback J'Mar Smith has thrown 46 touchdown passes for his career - fifth most in program history. Smith is just two TD passes shy of tying Ryan Higgins for 4th all-time with 48.
• Smith has churned out 8,766 passing yards in his career, and is just 297 yards away from passing Jason Smith for third all-time in program history.
• Junior cornerback Amik Robertson leads all FBS with 17 passes defended in 2019. His five interceptions are tied for second-most nationally.
• Robertson was named the Bronko Nagurski National Player of the Week, C-USA Defensive Player of the Week and the LSWA Defensive Player of the Week after recording three INT's in Tech's win over Southern Miss.
• For his career, Robertson has secured 14 interceptions – good for fifth most in program history, and most among FBS active career leaders. He also leads the FBS in active career pick-sixes with three.
• Senior offensive lineman Ethan Reed made his nation-leading 48th consecutive start Saturday vs. UTEP.
•  The Tech offensive line has been a mainstay this season, as Reed along with Willie Allen, Gewhite Stallworth, Kody Russey and Drew Kirkpatrick have started every game this season. Tech is first in C-USA in total offense, averaging 471.2 yards and 36.4 points per contest.
• Over the first six games of 2019, the Tech defense has been making sure strides under new D-coordinator, Bob Diaco. The Bulldogs have been one of the top defensive teams in the red zone this season. Tech has posted the 4th-best red-zone defense in the country, allowing its opponents just 21 scores in 34 attempts (.618). Tech has also forced 5 opponent turnovers in the red zone. The rest of C-USA has combined to force 13.
• On the flip side, the Bulldog offense under offensive coordinator Todd Fitch, leads C-USA in scoring offense, averaging 36.4 points per game. They also lead the league in total offense, churning out an average of 471.2 yards per contest.
• Tech junior cornerback Amik Robertson is backing up all his preseason hype and accolades with stellar play yet again in the secondary for the Bulldogs. The junior cornerback was named the Bronko Nagurski National Player of the Week after his three INT game vs. Southern Miss. Robertson has started every possible game in his career for Tech, and continues to play a disruptive force in the secondary. Robertson leads all of FBS with 17 passes defended this season.
• He was named one of 14 semifinalists for the Jim Thorpe Award and picked up Conference USA Defensive POTW accolades after his performance vs. the Golden Eagles. His 14 interceptions are 6th most in Tech history and are the most among all FBS active players.
• The Bulldog defense has forced at least one turnover in 12 straight games and in 26 of its last 27 contests. Tech has forced a turnover in 20 straight home games and has forced multiple turnovers in 3 straight games.
• The offense is capitalizing on these opportunities, cashing in with 11 scores on its last 13 turnovers forced (total of 69 points off those turnovers - 9 touchdowns and 2 field goals).

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