Sept. 2, 2011

RUSTON, La. - Louisiana Tech will open the 2011 season AS SCHEDULED in a nationally televised contest on FSN Saturday night as the Bulldogs travel to Hattiesburg, Miss. to face the Golden Eagles of Southern Miss in the 44th meeting in this long-standing regional rivalry.

The interesting factor in Saturday night's game will be the weather as the outer rings of Tropical Depression 13 is expected to reach Hattiesburg by game time. Saturday's game will start as scheduled but Southern Miss has set up a weather-related hotline fans of both schools can call with questions at (601) 266-7411.

The last time these two teams met, Southern Miss came away with a 13-12 victory at Joe Aillet Stadium in Ruston. Similar to the predicted weather for Saturday, rain fell throughout the fourth quarter as Rufus Porterblocked a punt that led to a safety, giving Tech the ball with a one-point deficit. The Bulldogs were unable to put any more points on the board, however, as Tech fell in the game that resumed a rivalry that had been dormant since 1992.

Overall, Southern Miss leads the all-time series 30-13 and has a 16-6 advantage in games played at Hattiesburg. The challenge for Tech is tough as Southern Miss has won its home opener each of the last 12 seasons. The last time the Golden Eagles lost a home opener was on Sept. 19, 1998 with a 24-6 defeat at the hands of Texas A&M.

The game will also mark the collegiate debut of 17 year old starting quarterback Nick Isham(pronounced EYE-shum). A true freshman from Hidden Hills, Calif., Isham is one of only three true freshman to start at quarterback this weekend but is the only one of the three that did not graduate high school early and spend the spring semester on a college campus.

Isham is believed to be the second-youngest quarterback to start the first game of his true freshman year. At 17 years, 10 months and 27 days old on Saturday (he turns 18 in October), Isham is second only to David "Moon" Walker of Texas A&M who started the first game of his freshman year in 1973 at the age of 17 years, nine months and 26 days. Walker was 0-for-3 with one interception in that game and went on that season to be 31-for-69 for 426 yards.

Saturday's game is one of three non-conference road games in the state of Mississippi for Louisiana Tech. A poll of the 120 Division I FBS schools did not reveal any other school in the modern era of college football that has played three non-conference games in the same state other than its own. Tech will also play at Mississippi State (Sept. 24) and at Ole Miss (Nov. 12).

The game can be heard statewide on the LA Tech Sports Network as Dave Nitz, Teddy Allen, Max Causey and Bennie Thornell will team up to provide all the live play-by-play, color commentary and more. The show will start with a one-hour pregame and will conclude with a 30-minute postgame.

For the 13th straight year, KXKZ 107.5 FM (Ruston) will serve as the flagship station for Bulldog football. Joining KXKZ on the network this year are KLKL 95.7 FM (Shreveport/Bossier City), KTKC 92.9 FM (Springhill), KJVC 92.7 FM (Mansfield), KVCL 92.1 FM (Winnfield), KBEF 104.5 FM (Minden), WUBR 910 AM (Baton Rouge, Zachary) and KTTP 1110 AM (Alexandria).

Throughout the year, Tech fans can also access the audio for away games and audio/video for home games by purchasing a subscription to LA Tech All-Access by logging onto www.LATechSports.com.

For complete coverage of Bulldog Football, follow @LATechPWalsh on Twitter or visit the official home of Louisiana Tech Athletics at LATechSports.com.