RUSTON – As part of the partnership between Louisiana Tech Athletics, the City of Ruston and Experience Ruston, Bulldog football fans will benefit from a number of initiatives this fall during home football game weekends.

Louisiana Tech will open the home portion of its 2019 schedule Saturday, Sept. 7 when the Bulldogs host Grambling State at 2:30 p.m. at Joe Aillet Stadium in the "Buddy Bowl." Tech and Grambling State will meet for the first time ever in Lincoln Parish while both schools will honor the late O.K. "Buddy" Davis during the game.

The City of Ruston and Experience Ruston have teamed up to bring fans Loyal Blue Weekends, which take place every home-game weekend and feature family-friendly activities, spirit groups, pep rallies, outdoor music, tailgating, and much more football fun. Loyal
Blue Weekends kick off on Friday night in downtown Ruston.

An outdoor pep rally with Louisiana Tech spirit groups begins at 5:30 p.m. in Railroad Park. Lawn chairs and blankets are welcome as you cheer on the Bulldogs. Following the pep rally, stick around for special downtown events. Locals and visitors alike will enjoy this year's Friday night festivities, including a downtown wine walk, beer tasting event, outdoor movie, and more.

The first Friday night event will be the "Tech & Tigers Tailgate" on Sept. 6 in Railroad Park. Following the 5:30 p.m. pep rally, which will feature both Louisiana Tech and Grambling State spirit groups, there will be a food truck showdown and a live concert from J.A.M. Brass Band.

For information on other Loyal Blue Weekend events, visit experienceruston.com. Loyal Blue Weekend continues on Saturday with shopping, dining, tailgating and more festivities.

The City of Ruston will once again offer the "Tech Trolley" service for all six of the Bulldog's home games at Joe Aillet Stadium. Using iShuttle Transportation Service, the "Tech Trolley" will run continuously from the Trolley Stop in Railroad Park on Vienna Street in downtown Ruston to the Davison Athletics Complex. Signage showing the pickup and drop-off locations will be available on game days.

The "Tech Trolley" will begin running three hours prior to kickoff and will run up to one hour after the game ends, providing fans plenty of time to tailgate in Bulldog Village before kickoff. Fans can download the iShuttle Corporate app and utilize the password "Ruston" to track the trolley in route. The "Tech Trolley" is a quick, easy way to avoid the game day hassle of parking and will take priority over all other traffic in route to Joe Aillet Stadium.

Fans are encouraged to end their Loyal Blue Weekend experience on Sunday with Bulldog Brunch. Select local restaurants will be offering your favorite breakfast items, traditional brunch dishes, and more.

The City of Ruston, LA Tech Athletics, Pepsi and Graphic Packaging are partnering once again to incorporate the Red and Blue, Go Green recycling program for home football games. Blue recycling bins will be placed at the entrances, in the concourse and around the concessions stands of Joe Aillet Stadium as well as around Bulldog Village for fans to dispense their plastic bottles and other paper goods.

Season and single game tickets for Bulldog football are still on sale and can be purchased through the Louisiana Tech Ticket Office located in the Thomas Assembly Center. Fans can call 318-257-3631, email TechTickets@latech.edu or stop by during business hours Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Fans can also buy tickets 24/7 by logging onto LATechSports.com/Tickets.

As a reminder for game day/tailgating activities, banners and signage recognizing or promoting individuals, issues, organizations, or businesses may not be displayed or placed on any portion of the university's campus without the prior approval from Louisiana Tech University and in accordance with La. R.S. 18:1470. However, branded tents and awnings are permitted. 

Due to concern for congestion and interference with University activities, political activity is not permitted inside of University Athletic facilities, except for scheduled events where facilities have been rented.  Unaffiliated commercial activity is also prohibited inside University Athletic facilities.