RUSTON – Andrew Burnette's 25-yard touchdown run on the first play of overtime capped a 27-point rally as Louisiana Tech stormed back to defeat Liberty 34-28 on Saturday afternoon at Origin Bank Field at Joe Aillet Stadium.
 
Things looked bleak as LA Tech (6-5, 4-3 CUSA) trailed 28-7 midway through the third quarter.  With their backs against the wall, the Bulldogs converted on big 4th-downs and got three consecutive interceptions by their defense to help score three straight touchdowns.
 
LA Tech nearly completed the comeback in regulation as John Hoyet Chance's 54-yard field goal as time expired banged off the right upright, sending the contest into OT.
 
The 'Dogs opened the extra period on defense and immediately seized momentum when Jakari Foster intercepted Liberty quarterback Ethan Vasko at the goal line, making it two picks on the day for the safety and four total for the ball hawking defense.
 
Then on the first very snap for LA Tech on offense, Andrew Burnette took a handoff up the middle and found daylight, scoring from 25 yards out for the walk-off score to send the team and the home crowd into hysteria as the Bulldogs became bowl eligible with their sixth victory of the season.
 
The Bulldogs did what they usually do and that is get off to a good start, going 13 plays for 75 yards (11 of those on the ground) as Burnette bounced the ball outside and just inside the pylon for an 8-yard score to open the contest with a 7-0 lead.
 
However, Liberty (4-7, 3-4) dominated for a large portion of the game from here on out.  The Flames scored on five of their first seven possessions with running back Evan Dickens shouldering the loud for 228 yards and two touchdowns on 30 carries. 
 
Jay Billingsley's two short field goals and a 2-yard rushing TD by Dickens provided the Flames a 13-7 halftime advantage.  Liberty extended its lead with a 75-yard touchdown drive to open the second half before Vasko found Jacob Jenkins for a 6-yard score and added a successful two-point conversion to make it 28-7 with 7:39 left in the third.
 
LA Tech quarterback Trey Kukuk answered with a 31-yard touchdown run on the next possession, sparking the Bulldogs' comeback.  Following Foster's first interception, Burnette later scored from three yards out to cut the deficit to 28-21 early in the fourth quarter, capping a 19-play, 96-yard drive.  
 
Another pick by the Bulldog defense, this one by Michael Richard, gave the home team the opportunity to tie the game.  And they did just that as Kukuk went 29-yards on 3rd-and-7 to knot the game up with a 29-yard keeper with 7:05 remaining.
 
The Bulldog defense stiffened late, giving the offense the opportunity to complete the comeback.  Safety Jacob Fields led LA Tech with 14 tackles plus a 4th-quarter interception of his own.
 
It was a ground-and-pound kind of game for LA Tech who rushed for 319 yards and five rushing touchdowns.  Kukuk went for 143 yards and two scores (added 118 yards through the air) while Burnette had 93 yards and three touchdowns.  The Bulldogs made the plays when they needed to, converting nine of 16 third downs and two critical 4th-down attempts.
 
QUOTABLES
Head coach Sonny Cumbie
 
Opening Statement…
"Before the game, we talked this week a lot to our 16 seniors in terms of what they've done and their experience, and they had an opportunity to share what Louisiana Tech has meant to them. Also, what they would share and tell their younger selves, and a lot of the messaging from them was just how special this time has been for them here at Louisiana Tech. How much they've enjoyed the camaraderie and the chemistry of our football team. They've enjoyed the brotherhood that they've really grown into this year. They have also—as hard as it's been at times—they've learned a lot and grown a lot from that, and I think that was on display tonight. We have a tough road ahead next week for us, but we talked a lot this week about creating the experience in terms of how they want their last Senior Day to be remembered here with a group that went 5-1 at home this year. They've taken some tough losses and have been resilient. I just knew John Hoyet Chance was going to make that field goal, and he just missed it barely. And then defensively, Jakari Foster, a senior—I think it was kind of appropriate if you look at the guys that were making plays out there, it was mostly fifth-year and sixth-year seniors or seniors that had just gotten here. Extremely proud of our players and our coaching staff. When you think about what Coach Franklin and our offensive staff did, that's coaching. You take the players that you have and maximize their skillsets and abilities in a high-pressure environment, and they did that tonight."
 
Quarterback Trey Kukuk
 
On Tech overcoming the 21-point deficit to become bowl eligible for the first time since 2019…
"You win these games in February, March, April—in the spring and in the summer. These guys have put in so much work, and I'm just glad it paid off with the win tonight. And gaining that bowl eligibility—that's what all these guys wanted. We did it for the 16 seniors tonight on Senior Day and that was a huge moment for them. Like I said, we just worked all year and this is just the fruits of our labor."
 
On being one of the catalysts in the Bulldogs' comeback victory…
"Andrew [Burnette] played his butt off tonight, he was a monster. That final play to finish the game—obviously, that's a huge one. But, the one where we had third down from the three-yard line and we were trying to dial up a play, figure something out. One of the coaches said it then everyone agreed—put the ball in Andrew's hands. We just wanted to run it down their throat and we knew we had to get the ball in 0's hands. He lowered his shoulder on a linebacker, carried him into the end zone and that was one of the key touchdowns to lead the comeback. That's a guy that has worked so hard all year, and just for him to have this kind of night—I'm so happy for him and proud of him as a senior. Just a big night for him and I'm super proud."
 
Defensive back Jakari Foster
 
On his two picks including in overtime to help seal the win…
"It felt like [Liberty] kept trying to trick us in a way to start it off, because we haven't played against a triple option or speed option team all year. It felt like they had some tricky stuff that they ran with their offense. We talked through it throughout the whole game, and in the second half we said to understand the formation and see where the guys are, see where they're coming from. Read your keys and just play your role—the ball will come to you."
 
On the team facing adversity this season before earning eligibility on a comeback win…
"It's a desire for everybody. When Kolbe [Fields] got hurt, we had to have somebody else step up and take the role. Kolbe is one the best guys when he's on the field, so I feel like, for this team, it's just everybody's desire for one thing and that's to keep winning. Even if we lose, just keep winning."
 
NOTABLES

• With the win, LA Tech and Liberty are now tied in the all-time series, 1-1.
• With the win, LA Tech reached six wins in a season for the first time since 2019, making the Bulldogs bowl eligible.
• The Bulldogs snapped a six-game overtime losing streak with the 34-28 win over the Flames in the extra period.
• LA Tech finished the season 5-1 at home, its best record in Joe Aillet Stadium since going 6-0 in 2019.
• LA Tech rushed for 319 yards, marking the third time this season the Bulldogs have eclipsed 300+ on the ground.  The five rushing touchdowns were the second most in a single game this season.
• Trey Kukuk ran for 143 yards, the most by a LA Tech quarterback in a single game in program history.  He became just the seventh QB in the country this season to have at least 140 rushing yards, at least 100 passing yards, and two rushing touchdowns in a single game.
• This marked the third game this season that a LA Tech quarterback led the Bulldogs in rushing yards (Blake Baker did it twice).
• Andrew Burnett set season highs in rushing attempts (17), rushing yards (93), and rushing touchdowns (three).  He joined Clay Thevenin as the only Bulldogs to record three rushing TDs in a single game this season.
• The Bulldog defense forced four turnovers, marking the fourth time this season with at least three takeaways in a single game.  The four interceptions were the second most in a game this season (had five at UTEP).
• The LA Tech defense now has 19 total interceptions this season, the most since 2017.
• Jakari Foster now has six interceptions on the season, tied for the fourth most in a single season in program history (most since Xavier Woods had six in 2014).  He became the first Bulldog this season with multiple interceptions in a single game (first Bulldog since Myles Brooks had two against Middle Tennessee in 2022).
• Jacob Fields recorded a career-high 14 tackles, the most by a Bulldog in a single game this season.  He also registered his third interception of the season (has had three in the last four games).

UP NEXT
LA Tech closes out the regular season on Saturday, Nov. 29 at Missouri State.  Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. CT on ESPN+.
 
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