RUSTON – The Louisiana Tech football team will play its fourth and final weeknight game as it travels to Huntsville, Texas, to face the Sam Houston Bearkats on Tuesday in a nationally televised contest on ESPNU. LA Tech improved to 2-1 in weeknight games this season after defeating UTEP 14-10 last week to move to 3-4 (2-2 CUSA). Sam Houston comes into tomorrow's matchup already bowl eligible as they sit at 6-2 (3-1 CUSA).
GAMEDAY INFORMATION
Date: Tuesday, Oct. 29
Time: 7 p.m. (CT)
Location: Huntsville, Texas (Bowers Stadium)
TV: ESPNU
Live Stats: LATechSports.com/Stats
Radio: LA Tech Sports Network | LA Tech Athletics App
SERIES HISTORY
Series: LA Tech leads 2-1-1
In Ruston: 2-1-1
In Huntsville: 0-0
Neutral: 0-0
Tuesday will mark the 5th all-time meeting between LA Tech and Sam Houston. The Bulldogs lead the series 2-1-1 with all games taking place in Ruston. Tuesday night's matchup will be the first time the two squads have squared off in Huntsville. The contest will also mark the second time the two have met as FBS foes, after last season marked the first.
The two schools first met in 1926 with the game ending in a 6-6 tie. SHSU would travel to Ruston for a second time in 1942, with LA Tech earning a 46-0 shutout. Tech and Sam Houston would not meet again until 1999 with the Bulldogs winning 55-17.
The 2023 season marked the Bearkats first year as FBS members. SHSU won last season's initial CUSA meeting against LA Tech in Ruston 42-27.
Jessie Evans finished with nine tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss and one sack in the loss.
ABOUT LA TECH
LA Tech moved to 3-1 at home this season after defeating the Miners. The Bulldogs have yet to pick up a win on the road as they sit at 0-3.
The Bulldog defense currently ranks first in the CUSA in total defense and 20th in the nation after allowing just 251 total yards to UTEP. LA Tech allowed 85 yards through the air and 166 yards on the ground while surrendering one touchdown.
Jeremiah Johnson's defense is allowing 307.0 yards per game which ranks 20th, 113.0 rushing yards (26th) and 194.0 passing yards (35th).
Evan Bullock continues to lead the Bulldog offense, making four consecutive starts at quarterback. Bullock is the only FBS quarterback with over 100 pass attempts and no interceptions. He has completed 91 of 138 passes for 1,038 yards and nine touchdowns and ranks 30th nationally in passing efficiency with a 150.6 rating.
The Bulldogs have five players with 200+ receiving yards, as
Tru Edwards leads the team with 486 yards on 38 grabs.
Marlion Jackson is second on the team with 222 yards, followed by
Jay Wilkerson (218),
Eli Finley (213) and
Jimmy Holiday (202). Holiday is second on among the group with 17 receptions. Edwards leads all pass catchers with four touchdowns, followed by
Solo Lewis who has found the end zone three times, and running back
Omiri Wiggins who has scored twice through the air.
Linebacker
Kolbe Fields is the team's top tackler through seven games, having registered 52 total stops. Fields leads the team in tackles for loss with 6.5 and is tied for first with one interception.
Zach Zimos is second on the team with 47 tackles, followed by
Blake Thompson (39), and
Demarcus Griffin-Taylor (35).
The Bulldog kickoff return team ranks 13th in the FBS and second in the CUSA with a 25.57-yard return average. LA Tech has returned 14 kicks for 358 yards. Corner back
Demarcus Griffin-Taylor leads the team with 12 returns for 329 yards, which ranks second in the conference. Griffin-Taylor logged a 58-yard return against UTEP.
ABOUT SHSU
The Bearkats enter Tuesday night's contest as the only bowl eligible team in the CUSA. Sam Houston moved to 6-2 (3-1 CUSA) after defeating FIU 10-7 last Tuesday. SHSU lone conference loss came against WKU in a 31-14 defeat. The Bearkats, who were picked to finish tied for 5
th in the preseason poll, currently sit at second place in the CUSA standings.
SHSU is averaging 26.9 points per game while giving up 22.6. The Bearkats are posting 376.8 yards per outing on offense and are allowing 329.8 on defense.
Hunter Watson commands the offense and has shown the ability to run and pass. The quarterback has passed for 987 yards and nine score while logging 407 yards and four scores on the ground. DJ McKinney leads the team with 422 rushing yards.
Qua'vez Humphreys leads the team with 16 receptions for 309 yards and four touchdowns. Simeon Davis has reeled in 24 balls for 268 yards and three scores.
Caleb Weaver is the Bearkats' top tackler, leading the team with 52 stops and three interceptions. Trey Fields and Kavian Gaither are second on the team with 47 tackles apiece.
