HUNTSVILLE, Texas – Louisiana Tech could not overcome four turnovers and two turnovers on downs, falling 9-3 to Sam Houston on Tuesday night at Bowers Stadium.
 
LA Tech's (3-5, 2-3 CUSA) defense was stellar yet again.  The Bulldogs forced two turnovers, one of which was a pick by Jakari Foster in the end zone, and held the Bearkats to just 268 total yards of offense.
 
Not only that, but the Kats, which came into the contest averaging over 200 yards on the ground, could only muster 105 rushing yards against the Bulldog defense.
 
However, LA Tech shot itself in the foot too many times on offense, getting its only points on a Buck Buchanan 24-yard field goal that gave the 'Dogs a 3-0 advantage with 2:24 remaining in the first quarter.
 
This was the result of the second offensive drive of the game for LA Tech.  The first one, which was a solid 11-play, 68-yard drive that got the Bulldogs down to the 7-yard line, but a fumble on 4th-and-1 negated any potential points.
 
Sam Houston (7-2, 4-1 CUSA) would get its only points of the first half on a safety, making the score 3-2 at the midway point with LA Tech committing two more turnovers that came in the second quarter.
 
The Bearkats would score their only offensive points on their first drive of the second half as Jay Ducker broke off a 40-yard run to cap off a 7-play, 75-yard drive.
 
After multiple 3-and-outs, Jack Turner came in for Evan Bullock to try to provide an offensive spark.  The Bulldogs would end up having the ball inside the Bearkat 5-yard line in the fourth quarter.
 
LA Tech fumbled on a jet-sweet exchange for its fourth turnover of the game.  Then after quickly getting the ball back after the defense forced its fifth 3-and-out, the offense got down to the 3-yard line but could not connect on a pass on fourth down.
 
Even so, the 'Dogs had one more chance to win the game.  A quick 17-yard pass from Turner to Jimmy Holiday over the middle put LA Tech at the Sam Houston 35-yard line with enough time left on the clock.
 
Two incomplete passes and a crossing route for just one yard put the road team in another fourth down situation.  A heavy blitz would get to Turner as he was hit as soon as he attempted a pass.  
 
LA Tech outgained Sam Houston, 312-268.  Bullock and Turner combined for 207 passing yards with 80 of that going to Tru Edwards who had a game-high eight receptions.  The running game was led by Omiri Wiggins with 49 yards on the ground.
 
QUOTABLES
Head coach Sonny Cumbie
 
"I thought we executed really well on defense and on special teams as well.  Offensively, we did not.  I think you win them the same way you do at home that you do on the road.  You have a great week of practice and carry that over into the game."
 
"We have a tough road ahead of us, but I think we have a tough football team.  We have a football team that is really hurting and is very disappointed in the outcome.  Our players really laid it on the line tonight and played really hard.  We are up for the challenge though.  We will stick together and play hard."
 
NOTABLES

• LA Tech cracked 100 yards rushing for the fourth time this season and the third time in the last four games.
• Tru Edwards caught a game-high eight receptions for a game-high 80 receiving yards.  He has caught at least six balls in each of the last five games and has 8+ catches in three games this season.
• Eli Finley had a season-high five receptions.
• Omiri Wiggins was the Bulldogs leading rusher for a third time this season, carrying the ball 11 times for 49 yards.
• LA Tech held Sam Houston to 268 yards of offense, marking the third time this season an opponent has not gained 300+ yards on the Bulldog defense.
• The Bulldog defense forced multiple turnovers for the third time in their last four games.
• Jakari Foster registered his first career interception as a Bulldog.

UP NEXT
LA Tech will be back home on Nov. 9 to host Jacksonville State as part of Homecoming.  Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. CT and will be nationally televised on CBS Sports Network.
 
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