By Stephen Featherston, Louisiana Tech Director of Strategic Communications
Coming off a week two bye, Louisiana Tech will travel to Raleigh, N.C., for its first road game of season. Tech enters Saturday’s matchup with a 1-0 record after defeating Nicholls 25-17 in week one, while the Wolfpack hold a 1-1 mark after falling to Tennessee last Saturday.
GAMEDAY INFORMATION
Date: Saturday, Sept. 14
Time: 11 a.m. (CT)
Location: Raleigh, N.C. (Carter-Finley Stadium)
TV:ACC Network
Live Stats:LATechSports.com/Stats
Radio: LA Tech Sports Network | LA Tech Athletics App
SERIES HISTORY
Series: NC State Leads 2-0
In Ruston: 0-0
In Raleigh: 0-2
Neutral: 0-0
ABOUT LA TECH (1-0)
Louisiana Tech opened its season with a 25-17 victory over Nicholls State in a rain-soaked contest, marking the program’s 11th consecutive home-opening win. The victory also represented head coach Sonny Cumbie‘s second consecutive season-opening win. Cumbie will now aim to become the first Tech coach to lead the Bulldogs to a 2-0 start since 2020.
Despite the rain in the Bulldogs’ opener, Tech’s defense, led by newly appointed defensive coordinator Jeremiah Johnson, shined. Johnson’s defense allowed just 200 total yards (138 passing, 62 rushing) to the Colonels, putting the Bulldogs 11th in the FBS for yards allowed per game. Tech’s front seven pressured the quarterback all night, recording six sacks, the most in a game since 2018. Additionally, Johnson’s defense logged the program’s first safety since 2018 on Nicholls’ first offensive play. Tech is tied for 13th with 62.0 rushing yards allowed per game.
The Bulldog offense finished with 386 yards (277 passing, 109 rushing) and three touchdowns in the opener. Solo Lewis and Marlion Jackson both logged their first career touchdown receptions, while wide receiver Jimmy Holiday found the end zone on the ground. Eight different receivers caught at least one pass for Tech, with Jackson leading the team with three grabs for 76 yards. Marquis Crosby spearheaded the rushing attack with nine carries for 44 yards.
Redshirt freshman quarterback Blake Bakermade his collegiate debut when he was thrust into action in the first quarter after starter Jack Turner exited the game due to injury following just three drives. The Texas native made the most of his first collegiate action, completing 50 percent of his passes for 207 yards and one passing touchdown, while also adding 22 yards on the ground.
Transfer linebacker Kolbe Fields, who was one of 26 players to make their Tech debuts, had a standout performance in his long-anticipated Bulldog debut against Nicholls. The South Carolina/LSU transfer, who sat out last season, collected 12 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks in the season opener.
ABOUT NC STATE (1-1)
NC State entered the season ranked No. 20 in the AP-Poll, but has dropped out of the top 25 after a 51-10 loss to Tennessee in a neutral-site game last Saturday. The Wolfpack won their week one matchup against Western Carolina, 38-21.
NC State comes into Saturday morning’s contest averaging 24.0 points per game while giving up 36.0. The team has averaged 332.5 yards per outing through two games while allowing 410.5 defensively.
Grayson McCall is in his first season as the NC State signal caller after transferring in from Costal Carolina. McCall passed for 10,0005 yards in 42 games during his time in Conway. He has thrown for 422 yards and three scores this season to go with two interceptions, with 318 of his 422 yards coming in the opener against WCU.
Kevin “KC” Conception has been McCall’s top target as he leads the team with 14 grabs for 174 yards and three scores. The Wolfpack’s next leading pass catcher is Justin Joly who has nine receptions for 105 yards. Jordan Waters leads the team in the ground game with 27 carries for 120 yards and two scores.
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