RUSTON - Louisiana Tech will look for its first 4-1 start since 2019 and to move to 2-0 in Conference USA play when it visits UTEP on Saturday at 8 p.m. CT at the Sun Bowl. It marks the Bulldogs' second CUSA game of the season and the Miners' league opener. The game will be aired on ESPN+.

GAMEDAY INFORMATION
Date: Saturday, Sept. 27
Time: 8 p.m. CT
Location: El Paso, Texas (Sun Bowl)
TV: ESPN+
Live Stats: LATechSports.com/Stats
Radio: LA Tech Sports Network | LA Tech Athletics App

SERIES HISTORY
Series: LA Tech, 17-3-1
In Ruston: 9-1
In El Paso: 8-2-1
Neutral: 0-0

Saturday will mark the 22nd all-time meeting between LA Tech and UTEP. The Bulldogs lead the series 17-3-1 and have won three straight dating back to 2022. Since the two programs became Conference USA foes, Tech has won 11 of 12 matchups, with the only loss coming in 2021.
 
The series history is spread out. The teams played four straight seasons from 1939-42, then met again in the 1991 season finale in El Paso. They faced off from 2001-04 as members of the Western Athletic Conference before resuming the series in 2013 when Tech joined CUSA. Saturday is expected to be the final meeting for the foreseeable future, as both schools will depart CUSA.
 
Sonny Cumbie is 3-0 against UTEP, with the Bulldogs outscoring the Miners 75-51 in those games. LA Tech is averaging 25 points per game against UTEP under Cumbie.

ABOUT LA TECH
 
The Bulldogs moved to 3-0 at home for the first time since 2019 after defeating rival Southern Miss 30-20 on Saturday. Quarterback Blake Baker threw for a career-high 238 yards, 154 of which went to tight end Eli Finley, who set career highs in yards and receptions (six). Baker, Omiri Wiggins and Clay Thevenin all found the end zone for the second consecutive game.
 
Baker has completed 26 of 45 passes for 466 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions through three games. He ranks second on the team with 145 yards on the ground behind Thevenin's team-leading 162 yards.
 
Finley (14) and Marques Singleton Jr. (10) are the only two Bulldogs with double digit receptions.
 
The Tech defense scored its third touchdown of the season, the most in the FBS, while holding Southern Miss to 20 points and 122 rushing yards. Kolbe Fields returned an interception 48 yards for a score, giving the Bulldogs six interceptions on the year. Tech has recorded at least one interception in all four games this season. Fields was named CUSA Defensive Player of the Week after adding nine tackles, 0.5 sacks and 0.5 tackles for loss.
 
Tech's defense leads the nation in defensive touchdowns (3), ranks third in interceptions (6), eighth in turnovers gained (8), and sixth in turnover margin (+1.75). The linebacker trio of Kolbe Fields (38), Mekhi Mason (30), and Sifa Leota (25), lead the team in tackles and tackles for loss. The trio has combined for 93 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks.
 
Defensive back Jhamal Shelby Jr. leads the nation with seven pass breakups to pair with 16 tackles. Jakari Foster paces the team with two interceptions, followed by Kam Franklin, Zion Nason, Kolbe Fields and Michael Richard who have one apiece.
 
10 GETS SIX
 
Linebacker Kolbe Fields recorded his first career interception return for a touchdown in Tech's 30-20 win over Southern Miss, returning a pick 48 yards to give the Bulldogs a 23-10 lead. He added a team-high nine tackles, 0.5 TFLs and 0.5 sacks, earning CUSA Defensive Player of the Week honors for the first time in his career. The New Orleans native has led the team in tackles in three of four games and leads the Bulldogs with 38 stops on the season.
 
CAREER DAY FOR THE BIG FELLA
 
Tech tight end Eli Finley was named the Week 4 John Mackey Player of the Week after recording a career-high 154 yards on six receptions in the win over Southern Miss. He became the first Tech tight end with 100 receiving yards in a game since 2009, and his total is the most by an FBS tight end this season. Finley leads the Bulldogs with 14 catches for 231 yards. His 231 ranks fifth among tight ends and 99^th nationally. He had receptions of 72 and 47 yards in the win.
 
GANDY GETS 1K
 
Wide receiver Devin Gandy surpassed 1,000 career receiving yards after recording 38 yards against Southern Miss. Gandy transferred to Louisiana Tech with 892 career yards after five seasons at Sacramento State. The first-year Bulldog has caught seven passes for 126 yards through four games, with three of those receptions going for 25 yards or more. Gandy has caught 75 passes for 1,018 yards and six scores in his career.
 
BY THE NUMBERS
 
500 – Tight end Eli Finley surpassed the 500-yard mark for his career after racking up a career-high 154 receiving yards against Southern Miss. The third-year Bulldog has tallied 41 receptions for 555 yards in three seasons.
 
8 – Linebacker Mekhi Mason leads the nation with 8.0 tackles for loss. Mason added 1.5 TFLs to his season total against Southern Miss. The second-year dog has tallied 1.5 TFLs or more in three games this season.   
 
4 – Louisiana Tech has earned four CUSA Player of the Week honors this season, with linebacker Kolbe Fields the latest after being named Defensive Player of the Week for his performance against Southern Miss.
 
3- LA Tech is the only program in the nation with three defensive touchdowns this season. Kolbe Fields returned an interception 48-yards for a score against Southern Miss.
 
ABOUT UTEP
 
UTEP enters Saturday night's contest with a 1-3 record and is still searching for its first FBS win of the season. The Miners defeated UT Martin 42-17 in Week 2 and have lost to Utah State (28-16), Texas (27-10) and ULM (31-25).
 
The Miners average 23.3 points per game while allowing 25.8. They average 364.4 yards per outing, with 269.3 coming through the air. Quarterback Malachi Nelson has completed 82 of 142 passes for 1,069 yards, eight touchdowns and five interceptions. Kenny Odom has been Nelson's top target with 19 receptions for 236 yards and two scores. Trevon Tate has added 16 catches for 207 yards and a touchdown.
 
Hahsaun Wilson leads the team with 177 rushing yards and one score, while Ashten Emory has a team-high two rushing touchdowns.

Linebacker Micah Davey leads the Miners and CUSA with 39 tackles. Udoka Ezeani leads the team with 6.5 tackles for loss and is tied for the team lead in sacks with two. Safety Xavier Smith is the lone Miner with an interception.

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