By Stephen Featherston, Louisiana Tech Director of Star Communications; featured photo by Josh McDaniel
RUSTON – Louisiana Tech will travel to Bowling Green, Kentucky, for its final CUSA road game of the season, facing Western Kentucky in an 11:00 a.m. matchup on Saturday. The Bulldogs enter the game with a 3-6 (2-4 CUSA) record after dropping their last two contests. WKU enters with four straight wins as they sit atop the CUSA standings at 7-2 (5-0 CUSA). LA Tech will look to win its first road game of the season as they face WKU.
GAMEDAY INFORMATION
Date: Saturday, Nov. 16
Time: 11:00 a.m. (CT)
Location: Bowling Green, Ky. (Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium)
TV: CBS Sports Network
Live Stats: LATechSports.com/Stats
Radio: LA Tech Sports Network | LA Tech Athletics App
SERIES HISTORY
Series: Tied 5-5
In Ruston: 3-2
In Bowling Green: 1-3
Neutral: 1-0
This will be the 11th all-time meeting between LA Tech and WKU. The series is even at five apiece, with the Hilltoppers earning wins in the most recent two matchups. The two programs first met in 1939 with WKU winning the inaugural game, not before LA Tech evened the series the following season. The programs would meet again 33 years later in the 1973 DII National Championship game in Sacramento Calif., with the Bulldogs earning a 34-0 shutout to claim the DII title. LA Tech and WKU renewed its rivalry in 2014 as the Hilltoppers joined the CUSA after spending five years in the Sun Belt.
The two schools have played seven times since 2014, with two games coming in the 2016, as the Bulldogs and Hilltoppers met in the CUSA Championship game, in which WKU won 58-44. Five of the seven games have seen a combined 60+ points, while all seven games have had 45+ combined points. Both squads combined for 100+ points in each of the 2016 meetings.
ABOUT LA TECH
LA Tech fell to 3-2 at Joe Aillet Stadium this season after a 44-37 overtime loss to Jacksonville State in its homecoming game last Saturday. The loss marked the Bulldogs’ third overtime loss of the season.
The Bulldog offense racked up 400+ yards of offense for just the second time this season, finishing with 410 total yards against the Gamecocks. The Bulldogs recorded their fourth game of 100+ rushing yards with 144 yards on the ground, to pair with 266 yards through the air. LA Tech finished with multiple passing touchdowns for the fourth time this season, while it was the second time the offense has logged multiple rushing touchdowns in a game.
Evan Bullock made his sixth straight start against Jax State and recorded his third game with multiple passing scores (3), and his second game with 250+ passing yards (266). The redshirt freshman is 123-for-185 passing with 1,452 yards, 12 touchdowns, and only two interceptions. Bullock is tied for 4th in the CUSA with 12 passing scores and ranks sixth with 1,452 yards.
Tru Edwards caught two of Bullock’s touchdown passes, finishing with six receptions for 142 yards and two scores. It marked his fourth game with 100+ receiving yards, and his second game with multiple touchdown grabs. Edwards leads the team in receptions (52), yards (708) and touchdown receptions (6). His 52 grabs lead the CUSA, while he ranks third in yards and touchdowns. He has logged three touchdown grabs of 70+ yards (71, 75, 86).
The Bulldog rushing attack saw the most yards in a game this season by a LA Tech running back as Omiri Wiggins carried the ball a season-high 16 times for 67 yards. Wiggins leads the team with 281 rushing yards on 71 attempts.
LA Tech’s defense remains a top 20 defense in the nation despite giving up a season-high in points to Jax State. The Bulldogs are ranked No. 18 in total defense, giving up 312 yards per contest. LA Tech is ranked 35th in run defense (120.8) and 28th in pass defense (191.2). The Bulldogs have been the only defense in the CUSA to allow less than 300 rushing yards to Jax State, surrendering just 191 yards to the Gamecocks.
The defense has forced five turnovers in their past two games, including three against Jax State and two versus SHSU. Kolbe Fields and Blake Thompson both forced their second fumbles of the season against the Gamecocks, while Jacob Fields intercepted his first career pass. Jacob Fields’ interception came one game after Jakari Foster picked off his first career pass against SHSU.
Linebacker Kolbe Fields continues to lead the defense, leading in tackles (64), tackles for loss (7.5), while being tied for the team lead in forced fumbles (2) and interceptions (1). Zach Zimos is second on the team with 53 stops, followed by safety Blake Thompson who has registered 48 tackles.
ABOUT WKU
Western Kentucky enters Saturday’s matchup tied for first in the CUSA as they hold a 7-2 (5-0 CUSA) mark after four straight wins. WKU has scored 30+ points in six games this season, including a 41-28 win over New Mexico State last Saturday. The Hilltoppers average 30.3 points per game which ranks 50th in the FBS and third in the CUSA.
Caden Veltkamp leads the WKU offense and has showcased his versatility this season, throwing for 1,950 yards and 19 touchdowns while adding seven rushing scores. Veltkamp’s main targets have been Kisean Johnson and Easton Messer. Johnson leads WKU receivers with 46 receptions, 645 yards and five scores, while Messer has logged 34 grabs for 495 yards and four touchdowns.
Elijah Young leads the team in rushing yards with 563 to go along with two touchdowns.
The Hilltopper defense is allowing 22.1 points per game and 383 yards per game (182.4 rushing, 200.6 passing). WKU is third in the league with 18 sacks, led by linebacker Darius Thomas who has 4.0. Hosea Wheeler is the team’s top tackler with 51 stops, followed by Devonte’ Matthews who has 46 tackles and two interceptions.