Louisiana Tech opens its season against Southeastern Saturday night at Origin Bank Field at Joe Aillet Stadium.
Kickoff off is 6:30.
Louisiana Tech is looking for its first winning season since 2019 when the Bulldogs went 10-3.
Sonny Cumbie is entering his fourth season as head coach. Tech went 5-8 in 2024 after a pair of 3-9 seasons in 2022 and 2023.
Cumbie believes the Bulldogs are ready to take the next step.
“I think we had really a great camp,” he said at his weekly press conference. “The chemistry and camaraderie of our football team is very, very high.”
Redshirt sophomore Evan Bullock started the last 10 games at quarterback last season, but Cumbie said he wouldn’t name a starter until Saturday.
Bullock, redshirt sophomore Blake Baker and junior Trey Kukuk battled for the job in camp. Baker went into last season as the No. 2 quarterback but suffered a collarbone injury in the third game against Tulsa.
“Blake, Evan and Trey have all taken reps with the ones,” Cumbie said. “So we’ll decide that Saturday right before kickoff. I’m excited about all three. I think they’re all unique in their skill set. I think we can win a championship with all three.”
Last season, Tech opened with a 25-17 home victory over Nicholls, like Southeastern a member of the Southland Conference.
Cumbie emphasized the importance of winning at home.
“You want to defend your home turf,” he said. “And we’ve got six home games this fall and we want to be 6-0 at the end of the season in terms of all of our home games.”
He also said the new new artificial turf field will be an advantage.
“I’m really excited about the new playing surface we have,” he said. “Our surface is very fast. Our players are very comfortable with it so that will provide an added home-field advantage for us.
“Our kids are excited to play here at home. They want to make sure we get the season started off on the right foot.”
Whoever gets the starting job at quarterback will have a new receiving corps. Omiri Wiggins gives the Bulldogs experience at running back.
Defensively, Tech is led by linebacker Kolbe Fields, the Preseason Conference USA Player of the Year. The line has the most new faces.
Cumbie said the quarterback, defensive line and receiver positions will be closely watched Saturday night in terms of the number of players competing for playing time as the season moves forward.
Southeastern went 7-5 overall and 6-1 in the Southland Conference last season. The Lions return 16 starters.
They will have a new starter at quarterback. Carson Camp, a junior, and Kyle Lowe, a redshirt sophomore, competed for the job in fall camp.
“This is a really good football team in Southeastern Louisiana,” Cumbie said. “Coach (Frank) Scelfo has been there for a long time. You watch them on offense, defense and special teams and the biggest thing that jumps out to me is their athleticism and speed.”