Northwestern State Assistant Sports Information Director Brad Welborn contributed to this report.
The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs and Northwestern State Demons face off Saturday night at 6:30 at Joe Aillet Stadium.
It’s the season opener for the Bulldogs, who are coming off an 8-5 season, the best in Sonny Cumbie’s four years as head coach, capped by a Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl over Coastal Carolina.
The Demons are looking to rebound from a 42-37 loss to NAIA school Louisiana Christian in their season opener last week.
The game will be broadcast on ESPN+.
This is the first meeting between Louisiana Tech and NSU since 2023 when the Bulldogs won 51-21. The Bulldogs and Demons were once rivals when both were in Division II. From 1946-87, the teams faced off each year in the State Fair Classic in Shreveport.
Louisiana Tech holds a 55-20-5 advantage in the series. NSU’s last victory was in 2014 when the Demons pulled off a 30-27 upset in Ruston.
“It’s an exciting week for any Northwestern State fan because this game has such a long history and the rivalry between the schools,” Northwestern State Head Coach Blaine McCorkle said. “Obviously it’s not what it used to be because we’re not the same level anymore, I think people forget that sometimes. Just tremendous history from those old state fair games.
“I want our guys to know that and know that this is more than just playing a regional FBS opponent. There’s a lot of history and a lot of people take a lot of pride in this game and I think our guys will too.”
Blake Baker will started at quarterback for Louisiana Tech.
The 6-foot-5 Baker started seven games last season before being sidelined with a knee injury. He passed for 1,251 yards and five touchdowns.
At his Monday press conference, Cumbie said it’s important for Baker to make the routine throws early in the game.
“He has an incredible arm strength, his timing to put it it in the tight windows,” Cumbie said. “I think for him starting the game calm and hitting those routine throws. I think he’s going to be really excited to play just like all our guys his first game in a while. And he’s shown that throughout fall camp.”
Trey Kukuk became the starter last season after Baker’s injury and was 4-1 in five starts. He passed for 640 yards and three touchdowns and was named the Offensive MVP in the bowl game.
Cumbie told the Ruston Daily Leader that Kukuk could see action at a variety of positions.
The running backs will be mostly new with Keiser University transfer Jaden Miller likely leading the group. The receiving corps is also mostly new, but All-Conference tight end Eli Finley is back.
The Tech defense is led by linebacker Kolbe Fields, a preseason All-Sun Belt selection whose 2025 season was cut short by an injury in Week 5.
Cumbie said Fields is back to full strength.
“He’s back to what he looked like last year from the standpoint of flying around,” he said. “If anything the older he gets — he’s getting up there in years — the wiser he gets. So I just think from diagnosing the plays, football IQ, I think he’s gotten even better in that area.”
Northwestern State has only won one game since the 2022 season. The Demons rolled up 525 yards last week but lost two fumbles inside the Louisiana Christian 10 and had 13 penalties.
“It’s an explosive offense at Northwestern State,” Cumbie said. “They’ve done a great job at quarterback. For us, offensively, we’ve got to hit the explosives. We’ve got to be able to run the football, control the line of scrimmage, hit our shots when we have them. The guys have got to make plays. That’s the big thing on offense, playmakers need to make plays.
Zay Davis accounted for 199 all-purpose yards, including the first 100-yard rushing game of his career. His 126 rushing yards made him the first Demon to rush for at least 100 yards in a game since Kennieth Lacy did so at Houston Christian in 2022.
Cumbie called Davis “a very powerful back.”
Louisiana Tech is a heavy favorite, but Davis and the Demons are eager to bounce back from last week’s loss and show they can be competitive.
“We’re focused on the team,” he said. “It’s not fun losing a game you feel like you could and probably should have won. But going up against Tech we’re excited. There is a chance to do what LC did to us on the table.”