Dogs host gamecocks for homecoming fight

Sport magazine

RUSTON – A confrontation between a stout Louisiana Tech defense and a fast, powerful running game from Jacksonville State will be the defining matchup on Saturday – yes, Saturday – at Aillet Stadium.

After a month of four weeknight games, Louisiana Tech returns to regular Saturday football as the Bulldogs will host the Conference USA-leading Gamecocks for homecoming at Aillet Stadium at 3:30 p.m.

“I think with Homecoming there is an element of excitement that accompanies the game,” said head coach Sonny Cumbie. “There are so many people coming back for this game. Excitement builds right at the beginning of the week because there are so many events taking place on campus. I think this week always has a little more juiciness and vibrancy.”

Tech enters the competition with a record of 3-5 (2-3 CUSA). After a five-game winning streak, Jax State enters CUSA in first place at 5-3 (4-0 CUSA). Offensively, the Gamecocks are averaging 464.9 yards, or 12^Th nationally, and their 6.2 yards per rushing attempt is third in the country.

Jacksonville State has won five straight under former Michigan and West Virginia coach Rich Rodriguez. The Gamecocks run fast – they are the fifth-fastest team in the country, averaging one out every 21.7 seconds.

Technology must prevail with defense.

“It’s going to be a tough fight,” Cumbie said. “I’m excited and I know our players on defense are really excited. We didn’t play against a team that could play the football as effectively and at that pace as Jacksonville State.

“Trey Stewart, their running back, is the best running back we’ve played this year. He’s a really good player. They rushed for over 350 yards per game in the conference. It will be a big challenge for us.”

The Bulldog defense climbed to 14th nationally in total defense after allowing just 268 yards to Sam Houston. This was the second straight game and third time this season that they held an opponent to under 270 yards. The Bulldogs held the Bearkats to 105 yards on the ground, which was the fifth time they held a team under 105 rushing yards. The Bulldogs now rank 28th in run defense (112.0 YPG) and 31st in pass defense (190.1 YPG).

Tech is the only team in the CUSA that has not allowed 1,000 rushing yards and is one of 20 teams in the FBS to have done so.

Tech finished its CUSA weekday schedule with a 2-2 record. The Bulldogs defeated Middle Tennessee and UTEP at home, while narrowly losing to New Mexico State and Sam Houston on the road. The two defeats were decided by a total of nine points.

Tech will look to pick up its fourth home win of the season, which would be its most since the Bulldogs won six games at Joe Aillet Stadium in 2019. The Bulldogs enter Saturday’s contest with a 3-1 home record with wins over Nicholls. Middle Tennessee and UTEP. With two home games remaining, Tech could finish with a 5-1 record at home.

Wide receiver Tru Edwards is just 150 yards away from reaching 1,000 career yards as a Bulldog. The redshirt senior has accumulated 850 yards in three seasons at Ruston, with a career-high 566 yards rushing in eight games this season.

The game will be broadcast nationally on CBS Sports Network and locally on 107.5 FM with Malcolm Butler, Teddy Allen and Jerry Byrd covering the action.

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