Saturday, October 10
Ruston, La.
6:30 PM
Louisiana Tech University
vs
UL-Lafayette
Preview: LA Tech vs. UL-Lafayette
10/8/2026 12:00:00 PM | Football
The 88th all-time meeting between the Bulldogs and the Ragin’ Cajuns is set for LA Tech’s first-ever Sun Belt Conference opener.
RUSTON -- Louisiana Tech will open Sun Belt Conference play for the first time in program history Saturday night when the Bulldogs welcome in-state rival UL-Lafayette to Origin Bank Field at Joe Aillet Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. CT on ESPN+.
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GAMEDAY INFORMATION
Date:Â Saturday, Oct. 10
Time:Â 6:30 p.m. CT
Location:Â Ruston, La. (Origin Bank Field at Joe Aillet Stadium)
TV:Â ESPN+
Live Stats:Â LATechSports.com/Stats
Radio:Â Z107.5 | LA Tech Sports Network | LA Tech Athletics App
SERIES HISTORY
Series:Â LA Tech leads 48-33-6
In Ruston:Â LA Tech leads 29-13-4
Win Streak: W8
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The Bulldogs (2-2, 0-0 SBC) enter their conference opener following a 31-29 victory over Army, while the Ragin' Cajuns (4-1, 1-0 SBC) arrive in Ruston riding a three-game winning streak after defeating Arkansas State, 23-20, last Saturday. The upcoming contest features the two programs meeting as conference opponents for the first time since 1995, when both programs competed as members of the Big West Conference.
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Saturday will mark the first time Sun Belt football has been played in Ruston. Although Louisiana Tech was a Sun Belt member from 1991-2001, the Bulldogs competed outside the league in football during that period. The matchup also renews one of the longest-running series in program history, with Tech holding a 48-33-6 advantage entering the 88th meeting.
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The Bulldogs have won eight straight against the Ragin' Cajuns dating back to 1997, including a 43-14 victory in the most recent meeting in 2015.
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WHAT'S AT STAKE
ABOUT THE MATCHUP
BROOKS BOOKIN' IT
Dylone Brooks had a career night against Army on Oct. 3. The second-year running back racked up 200 all-purpose yards to become the first Bulldog to do so since Smoke Harris had 208 all-purpose yards on Oct. 5, 2023 vs. WKU. He is also the first 100-yard rusher this season for LA Tech, ending the game with 119 rushing yards and 81 receiving. Majority of his yardage came on two plays--a 72-yard rushing touchdown after getting through a pile of defenders, and a 74-yard touchdown reception on a trick play pass from wide receiver Marcus Calwise Jr.
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HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE
Louisiana Tech enters Saturday riding a four-game winning streak when playing at Joe Aillet Stadium, with their last loss at home being a heartbreaking 28-27 final in overtime to Western Kentucky. Since the start of 2024, the Bulldogs are 11-3 at Joe Aillet Stadium.
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SWARMING DEFENSE
Louisiana Tech ranks among the top 5 in the Sun Belt with 10 TFLs (1st), five interceptions (2nd), passing defense (207 yds/game - 3rd), total defense (374 yds/game - 4th) and 11 sacks (5th). Alonzo Jackson Jr. (7.0 TFLs), Kolbe Fields (5.5 TFLs) and Jadon Mayfield (5.5 TFLs) all rank among the top 5 in the SBC, with Jackson Jr. also tied for the 15th-most TFLs in the country and his 1.75 TFLs/game is the seventh-best rate in FBS.
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GETTING TO THE BACKFIELD
The Bulldogs pace the Sun Belt with 39 tackles for a loss, which is also tied for the 10th-most in FBS. The Bulldogs' 9.8 TFLs per game is currently tied for the second-highest average in the country, trailing just Virginia Tech (10.2) and tied alongside East Carolina. Alonzo Jackson Jr. has four sacks to tie for the fourth-most in the Sun Belt and also rank among the top 20 nationally. His 1.0 sack per game is tied for the eighth-most among FBS defenders.
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MICKENS STOCK RISING
Jalen Mickens has quickly emerged as a top receiving target for Louisiana Tech through four games, with his 342 receiving yards and his 85.5 receiving yards per game both pacing all Sun Belt receivers through Week 5. He is also one of four Sun Belt receivers with 20+ catches and 300+ yards thus far in the season, and the only Sun Belt receiver with multiple 100-yard receiving performances this year.
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TECH #TAKERS
The Bulldogs have seven consecutive games forcing a turnover dating back to the 2025 season, with 12 interceptions and four fumble recoveries in that span. LA Tech also has a turnover forced in 15 of their last 17 games since the start of last year. Among those contests, the Bulldogs have forced multiple turnovers in eight of them. Since the start of 2025, the Bulldogs have picked off opponents on 27 separate occasions along with six fumble recoveries.
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PICK SIX U
Since 2017, Louisiana Tech has been the country's top team when returning interceptions for a touchdown. Since October 1, 2017, the Bulldogs have seen 24 interceptions returned for six points, leading all of FBS in that span which includes some notable programs such as Utah (22), Pitt (22), Alabama (19) and Notre Dame (18).
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FLIPPING THE FIELD
Punter Lexington Matthews's average of 44.5 yards per punt ranks as the third-longest average among SBC punters, while also sitting in a tie for fourth with five punts of 50+ yards.
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SUPPORT LA TECH ATHLETICS
Championships require championship resources. Fans can make a direct impact on the success of LA Tech Athletics through LTAC, Aillet Society, T-Club, and Young Alumni program as well as the CHAMP fund, a revenue-sharing initiative designed to directly support LA Tech Athletics through NIL and marketing opportunities for Bulldog and Lady Techster student-athletes. Visit BuildTheLegacy.com today. Â
BARK LOUDER
Our mission is to engage, develop, and advance the Louisiana Tech Athletics brand. You can do that by spending time consuming our content and by investing your talents. By barking louder with your time and talent, you can affect progress and brand advancement in a meaningful way. Visit LATechSports.com/BarkLouder today. You bark. We bark. Louder together.
SOCIAL MEDIA
For all the latest in Bulldog Football, follow us on X (@LATechFB), Instagram (@LATechFB), and Facebook (LATechFootball).
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GAMEDAY INFORMATION
Date:Â Saturday, Oct. 10
Time:Â 6:30 p.m. CT
Location:Â Ruston, La. (Origin Bank Field at Joe Aillet Stadium)
TV:Â ESPN+
Live Stats:Â LATechSports.com/Stats
Radio:Â Z107.5 | LA Tech Sports Network | LA Tech Athletics App
SERIES HISTORY
Series:Â LA Tech leads 48-33-6
In Ruston:Â LA Tech leads 29-13-4
Win Streak: W8
Â
The Bulldogs (2-2, 0-0 SBC) enter their conference opener following a 31-29 victory over Army, while the Ragin' Cajuns (4-1, 1-0 SBC) arrive in Ruston riding a three-game winning streak after defeating Arkansas State, 23-20, last Saturday. The upcoming contest features the two programs meeting as conference opponents for the first time since 1995, when both programs competed as members of the Big West Conference.
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Saturday will mark the first time Sun Belt football has been played in Ruston. Although Louisiana Tech was a Sun Belt member from 1991-2001, the Bulldogs competed outside the league in football during that period. The matchup also renews one of the longest-running series in program history, with Tech holding a 48-33-6 advantage entering the 88th meeting.
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The Bulldogs have won eight straight against the Ragin' Cajuns dating back to 1997, including a 43-14 victory in the most recent meeting in 2015.
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WHAT'S AT STAKE
- The Bulldogs are seeking their 49th program win over ULL and ninth-straight win since 1997.
- Tech is also seeking its fifth-straight win when hosting the Cajuns in Ruston and 15th in their previous 20 meetings.
- It would be Louisiana Tech's first program win in Sun Belt Conference play.
- A win would extend LA Tech's home winning streak to five games.
ABOUT THE MATCHUP
- This will be the 88th all-time matchup between Louisiana Tech and UL-Lafayette since their inaugural meeting in 1910--a 75-0 win in Ruston in favor of the Bulldogs.
- It is the first time the two programs meet as conference opponents since 1995, when both were members of the Big West Conference
- The Bulldogs have won eight consecutive games over ULL, which is the longest winning streak by either program in series history.
- In the past eight games, Tech has outscored ULL 378-140 with an average 29.8-point margin of victory. The Bulldogs have scored at least 40 points in six of their last eight meetings and at least 30 in nine of the last 10, with the 77-14 victory in 1998 being the most points scored in game by either team in the series, along with the 91 combined points being the highest-scoring game between the two programs.
- ULL has not beaten LA Tech since 1996, which is also the last time ULL beat the Bulldogs in Ruston.
- LA Tech has 17 all-time shutout victories over the Ragin' Cajuns.   Â
BROOKS BOOKIN' IT
Dylone Brooks had a career night against Army on Oct. 3. The second-year running back racked up 200 all-purpose yards to become the first Bulldog to do so since Smoke Harris had 208 all-purpose yards on Oct. 5, 2023 vs. WKU. He is also the first 100-yard rusher this season for LA Tech, ending the game with 119 rushing yards and 81 receiving. Majority of his yardage came on two plays--a 72-yard rushing touchdown after getting through a pile of defenders, and a 74-yard touchdown reception on a trick play pass from wide receiver Marcus Calwise Jr.
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HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE
Louisiana Tech enters Saturday riding a four-game winning streak when playing at Joe Aillet Stadium, with their last loss at home being a heartbreaking 28-27 final in overtime to Western Kentucky. Since the start of 2024, the Bulldogs are 11-3 at Joe Aillet Stadium.
Â
SWARMING DEFENSE
Louisiana Tech ranks among the top 5 in the Sun Belt with 10 TFLs (1st), five interceptions (2nd), passing defense (207 yds/game - 3rd), total defense (374 yds/game - 4th) and 11 sacks (5th). Alonzo Jackson Jr. (7.0 TFLs), Kolbe Fields (5.5 TFLs) and Jadon Mayfield (5.5 TFLs) all rank among the top 5 in the SBC, with Jackson Jr. also tied for the 15th-most TFLs in the country and his 1.75 TFLs/game is the seventh-best rate in FBS.
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GETTING TO THE BACKFIELD
The Bulldogs pace the Sun Belt with 39 tackles for a loss, which is also tied for the 10th-most in FBS. The Bulldogs' 9.8 TFLs per game is currently tied for the second-highest average in the country, trailing just Virginia Tech (10.2) and tied alongside East Carolina. Alonzo Jackson Jr. has four sacks to tie for the fourth-most in the Sun Belt and also rank among the top 20 nationally. His 1.0 sack per game is tied for the eighth-most among FBS defenders.
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MICKENS STOCK RISING
Jalen Mickens has quickly emerged as a top receiving target for Louisiana Tech through four games, with his 342 receiving yards and his 85.5 receiving yards per game both pacing all Sun Belt receivers through Week 5. He is also one of four Sun Belt receivers with 20+ catches and 300+ yards thus far in the season, and the only Sun Belt receiver with multiple 100-yard receiving performances this year.
Â
TECH #TAKERS
The Bulldogs have seven consecutive games forcing a turnover dating back to the 2025 season, with 12 interceptions and four fumble recoveries in that span. LA Tech also has a turnover forced in 15 of their last 17 games since the start of last year. Among those contests, the Bulldogs have forced multiple turnovers in eight of them. Since the start of 2025, the Bulldogs have picked off opponents on 27 separate occasions along with six fumble recoveries.
Â
PICK SIX U
Since 2017, Louisiana Tech has been the country's top team when returning interceptions for a touchdown. Since October 1, 2017, the Bulldogs have seen 24 interceptions returned for six points, leading all of FBS in that span which includes some notable programs such as Utah (22), Pitt (22), Alabama (19) and Notre Dame (18).
Â
FLIPPING THE FIELD
Punter Lexington Matthews's average of 44.5 yards per punt ranks as the third-longest average among SBC punters, while also sitting in a tie for fourth with five punts of 50+ yards.
Â
SUPPORT LA TECH ATHLETICS
Championships require championship resources. Fans can make a direct impact on the success of LA Tech Athletics through LTAC, Aillet Society, T-Club, and Young Alumni program as well as the CHAMP fund, a revenue-sharing initiative designed to directly support LA Tech Athletics through NIL and marketing opportunities for Bulldog and Lady Techster student-athletes. Visit BuildTheLegacy.com today. Â
BARK LOUDER
Our mission is to engage, develop, and advance the Louisiana Tech Athletics brand. You can do that by spending time consuming our content and by investing your talents. By barking louder with your time and talent, you can affect progress and brand advancement in a meaningful way. Visit LATechSports.com/BarkLouder today. You bark. We bark. Louder together.
SOCIAL MEDIA
For all the latest in Bulldog Football, follow us on X (@LATechFB), Instagram (@LATechFB), and Facebook (LATechFootball).
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Players Mentioned
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