Featured photo by Josh McDaniel
The month of October hasn’t been a good one for the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs.
At the end of September, the Bulldogs were 4-1 overall and 2-0 in Conference USA.
Now they are 4-3 overall and 2-2 including a 28-27 loss in overtime their last time out on Oct. 21 at home.
Louisiana Tech will be looking to end the month on a high note against Sam Houston (0-7, 0-4 CUSA) Friday night at Origin Field at Joe Aillet Stadium. Kickoff is 7 o’clock (CBS Sports Network).
Sam Houston went 10-3 last season, including a 9-3 victory over Tech, and won a bowl game. The Bearkats moved up to the FBS in 2023 after winning an FCS championship in 2021.
Head Coach K.C. Keeler left for Temple after last season and Phil Longo was hired to replace him.
Things haven’t been going well.
Sam Houston ranks last in CUSA in scoring offense (17.0 points per game), total offense (294.6 yards), scoring defense (38.9) total defense (456.3).
But Louisiana Tech Head Coach Sonny Cumbie said the Bearkats have been playing better recently.
“If you look at their last three games, the last three times out they’ve continually gotten better,” he said at his weekly press conference. “There’s a lot of progression they’ve seen within their program.
“I think offensively they’re starting to hit their stride. I think Hunter Watson is the ultimate competitor. I saw the kid in person win a national championship in junior college
“We had a chance to compete against him last year. He’s a competitive quarterback.”
Watson completed 13-of-19 passes for 161 yards and a touchdown against UTEP.
The Bearkats fared well on the ground. Landan Brown rushed for 110 yards on 13 carries.
Tech quarterback Blake Baker had his best game of the season against WKU. He completed 31-of-45 passes for 340 yards.
“I think he’s shown he’s getting better and better,” Cumbie said. He’s getting more accurate and that’s what we anticipated seeing with him getting more game experience. He’s does a great job with his feet in the pocket.”
Marlion Jackson had six catches for 103 yards.