RUSTON - Louisiana Tech looks for its first 5-1 start since 2019 when the Bulldogs make their first trip to Georgia in 100 years to face Kennesaw State on Thursday at 6 p.m. CT. The game will air on ESPNU. Both teams enter with perfect Conference USA records, as LA Tech sits at 4-1 (2-0) and KSU is 3-2 (1-0).

GAMEDAY INFORMATION
Date: Thursday, Oct. 9
Time: 6:00 p.m. CT
Location: Kennesaw, Ga. (Fifth Third Stadium)
TV: ESPNU
Live Stats: LATechSports.com/Stats
Radio: LA Tech Sports Network | LA Tech Athletics App

SERIES HISTORY
Series: LA Tech, 1-0
In Ruston: 1-0
In Kennesaw: 0-0
Neutral: 0-0

Thursday will mark just the second meeting between LA Tech and Kennesaw State and the first for the Bulldogs on the road. The teams first met last season, with LA Tech earning a 33-0 home victory to close out the 2024 regular season.
 
The shutout was the Bulldogs' only one of the season, as the defense allowed a season-low 146 yards, the fewest by a Tech defense since 2009. Omiri Wiggins had a career day in the win, rushing for 129 yards and three touchdowns on 17 carries, all career highs.
 
Kennesaw State is in its second season at the FBS level after starting its football program in 2015. The Owls competed in the FCS for nine seasons before joining Conference USA prior to the 2024 season. They have a 73-42 record with conference titles in 2017, 2018 and 2021. Head coach Jerry Mack is in his first season with the Owls.

ABOUT LA TECH
 
The Bulldogs improved to 4-1 overall and 2-0 in CUSA after defeating UTEP 30-11 on Sept. 27. Tech recorded a season-high five interceptions, returning two for touchdowns in the win. Jakari Foster notched his recorded his third interception of the season and his first career pick-six, while Alonzo Jackson Jr. added a touchdown on his first career interception.
 
In addition to Foster and Jackson, Kolbe Fields, Michael Richard, and Sifa Leota all recorded interceptions in the win. The Bulldogs lead the nation with 11 interceptions.
 
Quarterback Blake Baker finished the game 18-for-26 with 137 yards and one passing touchdown. Baker connected with junior college transfer Marques Singleton Jr. for a score on Tech's first drive, resulting in Singleton's first FBS touchdown. Running back Clay Thevenin carried the ball a season-high 19 times for 68 yards and a score, his third rushing score of the season. Thevenin leads the team on the ground with 230 yards and three scores on 50 carries.  
 
Kicker/Punter John Hoyet Chance earned his third CUSA Special Teams Player of the Week award after the UTEP game. The redshirt freshman averaged 49.2 yards per punt in six attempts against the Miners. He had a season-long boot of 68 yards, while another punt traveled 52 yards. He landed two of his kicks inside the 20, while two more were fair caught. Chance leads CUSA with 14 punts of 50 yards or more and punts inside the 20 (14).

Alonzo Jackson Jr. earned CUSA Freshman of the Week honors after registering a pick-six, to pair with six tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and two pass breakups. 
 
DEFENSIVE DOMINANCE
 
The Bulldog defense intercepted five passes against UTEP, the most by a Louisiana Tech defense since recording five interceptions against Central Arkansas in the 2007 season opener. Safety Jakari Foster and linebacker Alonzo Jackson Jr. each returned an interception for a touchdown, marking Tech's first game with two defensive scores since Dec. 20, 2017, against SMU in the Frisco Bowl. LA Tech has now tallied five defensive touchdowns (three interceptions, two fumbles), leading the nation. The Bulldogs will look to match their six defensive touchdowns from the 2011 season with one more score.
 
DOWN HILL
 
True freshman linebacker and Ruston high product Zheric Hill, has started to make an impact at his linebacker position after making his college debut on special teams against New Mexico State. After not recording any statistics against the Aggies, Hill has finished with back-to-back five tackle performances versus Southern Miss and UTEP. Hill filled in nicely against the Miners after losing Mekhi Mason to a targeting call and Kolbe Fields to injury. The Ruston product recorded two solo tackles and three assists in the win, giving him 10 stops on the year.
 
SINGLETON IS ALL ALONE
 
Junior college transfer wide receiver Marques Singleton Jr. caught his first career FBS touchdown pass when Blake Baker found him alone in the corner of the end zone on Tech's opening drive against UTEP. Singleton leads the team with 15 receptions through the first five games and has recorded multiple catches in every contest. He ranks third on the team with 99 receiving yards.
 
BY THE NUMBERS
 
13.6 – The Bulldogs are the only team in CUSA allowing fewer than 20.0 points per game. Tech's 13.6 allowed ranks 13^th in the FBS.
 
11 – The Louisiana Tech defense leads the nation with 11 interceptions. The Bulldogs have doubled their interception total and then some after recording five interceptions in 2024.
 
100 – It has been 100 years since LA Tech has played a football game in the state of Georgia.
 
8 – Cornerback Jhamal Shelby Jr. is tied for first in the nation with eight pass breakups. His eight PBUs through the first five games are the most by a LA Tech defender since Amik Robertson recorded nine in the first five games of the 2019 season.