
11/14/2026 9:43:00 PM | Football
Louisiana Tech clinched a berth in their first conference championship game since 2016 with their largest margin of victory in the series history with the Golden Eagles.
The Bulldogs (8-2, 6-0 SBC) extended their winning streak to seven games and clinched a berth in the Sun Belt Championship Game in their first season as a conference member. Louisiana Tech will make its first conference championship game appearance since 2016, when the Bulldogs represented Conference USA's West Division.
Louisiana Tech's defense forced five turnovers, including four interceptions, while the offense accumulated 495 total yards, including a season-high 350 passing yards. The Bulldogs scored 42 first-half points, highlighted by interception returns for touchdowns from Jadon Mayfield and Jordan McRae on consecutive Southern Miss possessions.
Quarterback Blake Baker completed 21 of 28 passes for 236 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. Eli Finley led the receiving corps with six receptions for 104 yards and a touchdown, while Rayshun Hurt rushed for a career-high 88 yards and his first collegiate touchdown.
The Bulldogs wasted little time establishing control, intercepting Southern Miss quarterback John White on the Golden Eagles' first offensive play. Kolbe Fields secured the interception after Emmanuel Oguns deflected the pass, setting up Louisiana Tech at the Southern Miss 26-yard line.
Four plays later, Dylone Brooks scored on a 1-yard touchdown run to give the Bulldogs a 7-0 advantage just 1:44 into the contest.
Southern Miss (3-7, 2-4 SBC) responded with a 44-yard field goal from Creighton Wilbanks, cutting the deficit to 7-3 with 5:28 remaining in the opening quarter.
Louisiana Tech answered with a 91-yard scoring drive capped by a 49-yard touchdown pass from Marcus Calwise Jr. to Jay Wilkerson on a double-pass play. The Bulldogs extended their lead to 21-3 late in the quarter when Sergio Snider scored on a 2-yard touchdown run.
The Golden Eagles briefly cut into the deficit early in the second quarter when Jamarice Wilder broke free for a 53-yard touchdown run, making it 21-10.
Louisiana Tech responded with 21 unanswered points in less than four minutes. Baker connected with Talyn Shettron on a 9-yard touchdown pass before the Bulldogs' defense took over.
Mayfield intercepted White and returned the ball 36 yards for his first career interception and defensive touchdown, extending Tech's lead to 35-10 with 9:14 remaining in the half.
Less than two minutes later, McRae intercepted White and returned the ball 89 yards for another touchdown, giving Louisiana Tech a commanding 42-10 advantage with 7:16 remaining before halftime.
The Bulldogs carried the 32-point lead into the break after recording three interceptions and two sacks in the opening half.
Louisiana Tech continued its offensive production on the opening possession of the third quarter, marching 75 yards in eight plays. Baker connected with Brayden Bockler on a 2-yard touchdown pass to push the lead to 49-10.
Southern Miss answered with a 7-yard touchdown pass from White to Grant Page, but the Bulldogs added another explosive play early in the fourth quarter.
Following a fumble recovery by Taeden Rogers, Hurt broke free for a career-long 55-yard touchdown run, the first rushing touchdown of his collegiate career, to extend Louisiana Tech's lead to 56-17.
The Golden Eagles responded with a 41-yard touchdown pass from White to Mario Sanders before Baker connected with Finley on a 12-yard touchdown pass to give the Bulldogs their final 63 points with 8:48 remaining.
Southern Miss added the game's final score on a 32-yard interception return for a touchdown by MaLik Caswell with 2:11 remaining.
Louisiana Tech will return to Joe Aillet Stadium next Saturday to face Arkansas State at 6 p.m. CT on ESPN+. The regular season concludes at Georgia Southern on Saturday, November 28 in Statesboro, Georgia. Kick time against the Eagles is to be announced at a later date.
Final Game Stat Leaders
| Category | Louisiana Tech leader | Statistics |
| Passing | Blake Baker | 21-of-28, 236 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT |
| Passing | Trey Kukuk | 4-of-7, 65 yards |
| Rushing | Rayshun Hurt | 6 carries, 88 yards, 1 TD |
| Receiving | Eli Finley | 6 receptions, 104 yards, 1 TD |
| Receiving | Jalen Mickens | 7 receptions, 67 yards |
| Receiving | Marcus Calwise Jr. | 3 receptions, 62 yards |
| Tackles | Jadon Mayfield | 9 tackles |
| Tackles | Alonzo Jackson Jr. | 7 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 sack |
| Tackles | Kam Franklin | 7 tackles |
| Interceptions | Kolbe Fields, Jadon Mayfield, Jordan McRae, Judd Rouyea | 1 each |
| Defensive TDs | Jadon Mayfield, Jordan McRae | 1 each |
| Punting | Lexington Matthews | 5 punts, 46.8-yard average, 3 inside the 20 |
| Kicking | Kaegan Kent | 9-for-9 PAT |
Halftime Notables
- Louisiana Tech led Southern Miss 42-10 at halftime, scoring 21 points in each of the first two quarters.
- The Bulldogs forced three first-half interceptions, marking their second game this season with three interceptions in the opening half (Sept. 12 at LSU).
- Louisiana Tech returned interceptions for touchdowns on consecutive Southern Miss possessions, marking the first time the Bulldogs have accomplished the feat in at least the last 25 seasons.
- Jadon Mayfield recorded his first career interception and defensive touchdown on a 36-yard return in the second quarter.
- Jordan McRae recorded his second interception return for a touchdown this season on an 89-yard return.
- Louisiana Tech's defense recorded two second-quarter sacks, one each by Alonzo Jackson Jr. and Justice Williams.
- The Bulldogs held Southern Miss to 2-of-11 on third-down conversions in the first half.
- Southern Miss controlled possession for 18:08 compared with Louisiana Tech's 11:52 despite trailing by 32 points.
- Louisiana Tech reached 40 points in consecutive games for the first time under head coach Sonny Cumbie and the first time since 2019.
Final Game Notables
Team
- Louisiana Tech improved to 8-2 overall and 6-0 in Sun Belt Conference play, extending its winning streak to seven games.
- The Bulldogs clinched the Sun Belt Conference West Division championship, securing a berth in the conference championship game in their inaugural season as a league member.
- Louisiana Tech will make its first conference championship game appearance since 2016, when the Bulldogs won the Conference USA West Division.
- The Bulldogs scored 63 points, the most by Louisiana Tech against Southern Miss in series history.
- Louisiana Tech's 32-point victory marked its largest margin of victory over Southern Miss in series history.
- The Bulldogs scored at least 40 points in consecutive games for the first time since 2019 and the first time under Sonny Cumbie.
- Louisiana Tech recorded 495 yards of total offense, marking its fourth game this season with at least 450 yards.
- The Bulldogs recorded a season-high 350 passing yards, their third game this season with at least 300 passing yards.
- Louisiana Tech rushed for 145 yards, marking its fifth game this season with at least 140 rushing yards.
- The Bulldogs forced five turnovers for the second consecutive game, including four interceptions and a fumble recovery.
- Louisiana Tech recorded multiple defensive touchdowns in a game for the first time this season.
- The Bulldogs returned interceptions for touchdowns on consecutive Southern Miss possessions, a feat not accomplished by Louisiana Tech in at least the last 25 seasons.
- Louisiana Tech recorded six tackles for loss for the fourth consecutive game and eighth time this season.
- The Bulldogs recorded three sacks for the fourth consecutive game.
- Louisiana Tech converted all five red-zone opportunities into touchdowns.
- The Bulldogs scored 28 points off turnovers, compared with 14 for Southern Miss.
Individual
- Blake Baker completed 21 of 28 passes for 236 yards and three touchdowns without an interception, marking his fourth game this season with three passing touchdowns and no interceptions.
- Baker has recorded multiple passing touchdowns without an interception in three of his last five games.
- Eli Finley recorded six receptions for 104 yards and a touchdown, marking his third 100-yard receiving game this season and fourth of his Louisiana Tech career.
- Finley is tied with Jalen Mickens for the team lead with three 100-yard receiving games this season.
- Finley's 12-yard touchdown reception marked his seventh receiving touchdown of the season.
- Rayshun Hurt established a career high with 88 rushing yards on six attempts, averaging 14.7 yards per carry.
- Hurt recorded his first collegiate touchdown on a career-long 55-yard rushing score in the fourth quarter.
- Jadon Mayfield recorded a game-high nine tackles, an interception and a defensive touchdown. His 36-yard interception return marked the first interception and touchdown of his collegiate career.
- Jordan McRae recorded his second interception return for a touchdown this season, returning a second-quarter interception 89 yards.
- McRae became the first Louisiana Tech player with multiple defensive touchdowns in a season since Jacob Fields in 2025.
- Alonzo Jackson Jr. recorded seven tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack, marking his second consecutive game with at least two tackles for loss and a sack.
- Jackson increased his season totals to 17.5 tackles for loss and 10 sacks, leading the Sun Belt in tackles for loss and tying for the conference lead in sacks.
- Kolbe Fields recorded his first interception of the season and fourth of his Louisiana Tech career.
- Jalen Mickens recorded seven receptions for 67 yards, marking his fourth game this season with at least seven catches and sixth with at least 60 receiving yards.
- Marcus Calwise Jr. completed his only pass attempt for a 49-yard touchdown to Jay Wilkerson on a double-pass play.
- Wilkerson recorded his second receiving touchdown of the season and first since Sept. 5 against Northwestern State.
- Talyn Shettron recorded his second receiving touchdown of the season and first since the season opener against Northwestern State.
- Sergio Snider recorded his fifth rushing touchdown of the season and third in the last five games.
- Brayden Bockler recorded his third receiving touchdown of the season on a 2-yard reception from Baker.
- Kaegan Kent finished 9-for-9 on extra-point attempts, accounting for nine points.
- Lexington Matthews averaged 46.8 yards on five punts, including a 66-yard punt, and placed three inside the Southern Miss 20-yard line.
Quotables
Head Coach Sonny Cumbie
Opening Statement
"Yeah, just a dominant performance by our players. I just couldn't be more proud of how they answered the bell. I think this week had a great week of practice, had a great mindset and great determination, and clearly understood what we had an opportunity to do from the standpoint of what a win meant. And I think they ran at it. They embraced it. They looked forward to the challenge, and we're very excited to play this football game. And I think it was evident in how we played. It was evident in how our offense, defense, and special teams played. And when you go, you win a game by 32 points, I think the average margin of victory that we've had in this conference is obviously increasing after tonight. You're 6-0 in the league. You have an opportunity to continue to play for home-field advantage, I guess, when it comes to the championship game. And so, there's a lot of great things that went on tonight with our football team, the way they play, how they play together, the belief and the confidence that they play with. And I think they clearly have shown, from the standpoint of how I think one of the things that separates these guys right now is, I believe, you're 6-0 in conference. And you're, I think, seven-straight, and doing it in the manner that they're doing it in, and how they're playing, and they're continually getting better, and we're going to continue to do that as well. And so, it's exciting, you know, to be West Division champs, first year in the league, continue to write our history as a team in this league, and we got, you know, two more ahead of us plus the championship game. And I'm so excited. We're going to celebrate this one, that's for sure, and then look forward to getting 1-0 next week."
Cumbie on building the culture for Louisiana Tech football…
"It is where it starts which is in the locker room with the players and the people that are there. It fleshes itself out with those players and their belief, trust, and the state of course. You think about the continuity and consistency we have had with the core of our roster, it's very uncommon. The recipe is because they are uncommon people. There are a lot of special individuals that are selfless, love football, and great teammates in the locker room. They have that skill set that allows them to care about Louisiana Tech and performance. It allows you to have an opportunity to have a season like we're having. It's a special group and that is what I talked to them about. When you go through storms you are not the same team and the same people on the other side of them. That is sometimes what storms are all about, which is who you are becoming and what you become. I believe that is what we are seeing with this football team right now."
Cumbie on what has kept him here in Ruston prior to this season…
"I'm here because of the belief that Dr. Jim Henderson and Ryan Ivey had in me with this program and the direction that we were going. Coming out a 5-7 season then coming into a new year we knew what was on the table and what was at stake. I have all the confidence in the world from the standpoint of whom that next president is going to be, and their passion and desire to see Louisiana Tech be successful on all fronts and phases. Certainly, that's what Ryan Ivey has, and the belief he has in our staff says a lot. When you have an alignment of trust, people that believe in one another, and can see the progress, you know what's going on. Sometimes it wasn't always equaling the final score, and it is a complement to our players."
Tight End Eli Finley
Finley on what Sonny Cumbie means to LA Tech football…
"First off, I want to give all glory to God. This place is special and all props go to our coaching staff and Coach Cumbie. He has the hardest role. We go out and play, but he gets all the criticism and negative comments. He sees and hears them, but that is nothing to him and to us. To see him go out there and be persistent to us, it really means a lot. We go out there and we wear it on our sleeve and we play for him."
Finley on what it means for LA Tech to sweep their rivals in UL-Lafayette, ULM and Southern Miss…
"We see that and it does not really do anything for us necessarily. It is great for the fanbase and great for the rivalries, but for us every week it is a nameless face opponent. We go out there with respect for each opponent we play, but who we play does not have an effect on how we treat the game."
Linebacker Jadon Mayfield
Mayfield on what Sonny Cumbie means to LA Tech football…
"As Eli said, Jesus is the start of it all. He built the foundation here and he blessed us. When we come in here at 3-9, to 5-7, and then 8-5, it is a work in progress. The stuff that Cumbie pours into us, that is what we bleed for and what we play for. The consistency of the work we have done during the off season and now, that is building a foundation. All that hard work is not for nothing, so I just say we have to keep going one week at a time. Also keep giving all glory to God."
Mayfield on what it means for LA Tech to sweep their rivals in UL-Lafayette, ULM and Southern Miss…
"We go into every week with the same preparation. No matter who it is or where we are at in the season, whether it is early or late in the season. If we keep our head up and do our one-to-one, we will be great."
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Players Mentioned
Team Stats

USM 0, LAT 7
LAT - Brooks,Dylone 1 yd run (Kent,Kaegan kick), 4 plays, 26 yards, TOP 01:38

USM 3, LAT 7
USM - Wilbanks,Creighton 44 yd field goal 13 plays, 73 yards, TOP 05:12

USM 3, LAT 14
LAT - Wilkerson,Jay 49 yd pass from Calwise Jr.,Marcus (Kent,Kaegan kick) 3 plays, 91 yards, TOP 01:06

USM 3, LAT 21
LAT - Snider,Sergio 2 yd run (Kent,Kaegan kick), 5 plays, 75 yards, TOP 01:53

USM 10, LAT 21
USM - Wilder,Jamarice 53 yd run (Wilbanks,Creighton kick), 8 plays, 75 yards, TOP 01:37

USM 10, LAT 28
LAT - Shettron,Talyn 9 yd pass from Baker,Blake (Kent,Kaegan kick) 9 plays, 75 yards, TOP 03:50

USM 10, LAT 35
LAT - Mayfield,Jadon 36 yd interception (Kent,Kaegan kick)

USM 10, LAT 42
LAT - Mcrae,Jordan 89 yd interception (Kent,Kaegan kick)

USM 10, LAT 49
LAT - Bockler,Brayden 2 yd pass from Baker,Blake (Kent,Kaegan kick) 8 plays, 75 yards, TOP 04:39

USM 17, LAT 49
USM - Page,Grant 7 yd pass from White,John (Wilbanks,Creighton kick) 6 plays, 58 yards, TOP 01:52

USM 17, LAT 56
LAT - Hurt,Rayshun 55 yd run (Kent,Kaegan kick), 2 plays, 56 yards, TOP 00:40

USM 24, LAT 56
USM - Sanders,Mario 41 yd pass from White,John (Wilbanks,Creighton kick) 2 plays, 80 yards, TOP 00:00

USM 24, LAT 63
LAT - Finley,Eli 12 yd pass from Baker,Blake (Kent,Kaegan kick) 6 plays, 65 yards, TOP 02:52

USM 31, LAT 63
USM - Caswell,MaLik 32 yd interception (Wilbanks,Creighton kick)






























