Box Score KENNESAW, Ga. – Louisiana Tech jumped out to a strong start Thursday night, but turnovers proved costly in a 35-7 setback at Kennesaw State inside Walens Family Field at Fifth Third Stadium.
 
LA Tech (4-2, 2-1 CUSA) looked sharp early, getting a 3-and-out by the defense on the opening drive faced and then marching 70 yards on their opening possession and capping it with a one-yard touchdown run by Omiri Wiggins to take a 7-0 lead.  
 
The defense forced punts on each of the Owls' first three series, holding Kennesaw State (4-2, 2-0 CUSA) to just 34 yards in the opening quarter.
 
Momentum shifted in the second quarter when starting quarterback Blake Baker left the game with an injury.  Already without CUSA Preseason Defensive Player of the Year and star linebacker Kolbe Fields, LA Tech saw its depth tested on both sides of the ball.  KSU took advantage, scoring 14 unanswered points before halftime – one being a 15-play, 92-yard drive for a touchdown and the other coming just one play after an interception thrown by Trey Kukuk.
 
The Owls stretched the margin with three second-half touchdown passes from Dexter Williams II, who finished 27-of-36 for 290 yards and four scores.  Kennesaw State ended up outscoring LA Tech 28-0 after the opening period.
 
The Bulldog defense, which had forced at least one turnover in every game this season (13 total), was unable to come up with a takeaway.  Meanwhile, two Bulldog interceptions were directly converted into 14 Owl points.
 
Evan Bullock, who made 10 starts for the Bulldogs last season, saw his first action at quarterback this season, going 11-of-21 for 112 yards.  Wiggins paced the rushing attack with 67 yards and the team's lone touchdown, while Marlion Jackson led all LA Tech receivers with 49 yards.  Defensively, Jacob Fields registered a team-high nine tackles.
 
QUOTABLES
Head coach Sonny Cumbie
 
"Just disappointed in the outcome. Kennesaw State did a great job—they outplayed us on all three sides and they were the more physical team. They were the faster team tonight, and we just did not play up to the standard and the level that we can play at, and that's the thing. We're disappointed in the outcome and we have to find a way to bounce back. We're going to have a good week of prep because we've got a really good Western Kentucky team coming to our place in about a week or two. The outcome is obviously not one any of us wanted, we have to find a way to bounce back. Offensively, we've got to be more productive [and] we have to take care of the ball better. I think that's the difference in the last two outings on offense is just being able to take care of the football with our ball security and decision making. You turn the ball over in the red zone, which is something we haven't done in the first four or five games, and really it just comes down to putting the ball where it needs to be. Then defensively, I think they wore us until the end. We weren't able to stop the run here in the fourth quarter to give ourselves a chance. Overall, credit to Kennesaw State, who was the better football team tonight in this game."
 
On the offense's performance…
"We got off to a really good start—I think the first drive was a 14-play drive. Guys did a great job on the run game and the throw game for us to get it down to the end zone. I think in terms of execution—offensive football, you have to have 11 guys all on the same page and I think that, right now, you get to a point where eight or nine guys are on the same page and you get exposed with the ones that are not. I think there's some instances in the protection up front where we just got beat one-on-one. And so, I think that scenario will slow you down with negative plays. I think that there were some guys—Marlion Jackson, whenever he touched the ball did some really good things, so I was really proud of how he played and the way he ran. We just have to find the ability to be a little more explosive and stretch the field, expanding where the defense has to defend against us."
 
On preparation for the upcoming bye week…
"It was interesting, because we had probably our best week of preparation this week when you think about Monday through this game. That's why what I think it boils down to is we just did not compete to our best ability. We got out-competed and outplayed. It's our preparation and the execution in our preparation in the two days that we were live, and then the other two days it was great preparation. I think the competition piece and then when you get into moving targets—our guys have to perform better and we have to coach better. We have to find better solutions to getting guys the ball in space, and I know Coach Tony Franklin will do that and his staff will do that. At some point, our offense is going to click like we clicked the first two halves of the Southern Miss and New Mexico State games. You have to sometimes find the right recipe in terms of players and making sure those guys are in a position to make plays, and when they do they have an opportunity to make it."
 
NOTABLES

• With the loss, the series between Louisiana Tech and Kennesaw State is now tied, 1-1.
• LA Tech shutout KSU in the first quarter, marking the fourth time this season (out of six games) they have now allowed their opponent to score in the first stanza.  The Bulldogs have only surrendered 17 total points in the first quarter.
• The LA Tech defense tallied five tackles-for-loss.  They have not had at least five TFLs in five of the six games this season.
• This marked the first time this season the Bulldog defense was not able to create a takeaway.  This was also the first time this season that LA Tech did not win the turnover battle.
• Evan Bullock saw his first action at quarterback this season, going 11-of-21 for 112 yards.
• O'Miri Wiggins registered his third rushing touchdown of the season.  He had a team-high 14 carries, marking the third time in the last four games with 10+ rushing attempts.  His 67 rushing yards was one shy of tying his season high.
• Marlion Jackson had three receptions for a second straight game, posting a season-high 49 receiving yards.
• Jacob Fields recorded a team-high and season-high nine tackles.  He was one shy of tying his career high of 10 which he set in the Independence Bowl against Army last season.
• John Hoyet Chance had three punts downed inside the 20, giving him 17 such punts this season.  He also had two go for 50+ yards, including a 67-yarder (second longest of the season), giving him 16 total for the year.  He has recorded a punt of 60+ yards in each of the last three games.

UP NEXT
LA Tech will be back at Origin Bank Field at Joe Aillet Stadium on Thursday, Oct. 21 to host WKU.  The matchup will kickoff at 6:30 p.m. CT on CBS Sports Network.
 
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