Tag: Louisiana Tech

Louisiana Tech rallies past Coastal Carolina to win Independence Bowl

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Trey Kukuk threw for 114 yards and a touchdown and helped Louisiana Tech score two touchdowns in a four-minute span in the fourth quarter for a 23-14 comeback victory against Coastal Carolina in the Independence Bowl on Tuesday in Shreveport, La.

Kukuk, who threw an interception, also rushed for a game-high 121 yards on 19 carries as the Bulldogs (8-5) finished the season with a three-game winning streak for their first winning season since 2019.

Tad Hudson threw for 311 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions on 25-for-49 passing for Coastal Carolina (6-7).

The Chanticleers played under interim coach Jeremiah Johnson, who filled in after the firing of Tim Beck. Johnson was Louisiana Tech’s defensive coordinator a year earlier when the program played in the Independence Bowl.

For the Bulldogs’ first touchdown, Kukuk hooked up with Marlion Jackson for a 52-yard touchdown play on the first snap following Jordan McRae’s interception of Hudson.

Following a Coastal Carolina punt, it took just three plays for the Bulldogs to cover 49 yards. Kukuk had a 29-yard run, and Andrew Burnette’s 1-yard run with 8:09 remaining gave Louisiana Tech its first lead of the day.

After the Chanticleers gave the ball back with less than two minutes to play following four consecutive incomplete passes, Kaegan Kent kicked a clinching 35-yard field goal with 56 seconds left.

Coastal Carolina’s best scoring chance in the second half came in the third quarter, but Kian Afrookhteh’s 22-yard field goal attempt was blocked by Kenyatta McNeese.

Coastal Carolina led 14-3 at halftime, holding the Bulldogs to 102 yards of total offense.

The Chanticleers scored late in the first quarter on Hudson’s 20-yard pass to Dominic Knicely.

Louisiana Tech scored on Kent’s 42-yard field goal to conclude an 11-play drive.

The Chanticleers responded by going 75 yards in six plays, with Hudson’s 16-yard TD pass to Robby Washington coming with 1:16 to play in the half.

The Bulldogs made it 14-6 on John Hoyet Chance’s 51-yard field after their first possession of the second half. Chance, a punter, was playing in his hometown.

The teams will be future Sun Belt Conference rivals when Louisiana Tech makes the move from Conference USA.

–Field Level Media

Louisiana Tech looks to quiet Coastal Carolina in Independence Bowl

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Teams headed in opposite directions as the regular season ended will meet in the Independence Bowl on Tuesday as Coastal Carolina faces Louisiana Tech in Shreveport, La.

Coastal Carolina (6-6), appearing in a bowl for the sixth consecutive season, is trying to snap a three-game losing streak. A loss would mean back-to-back losing records for the Chanticleers, who won 11 games in both 2020 and 2021.

Head coach Tim Beck was fired on Nov. 30. Interim Coastal Carolina coach Jeremiah Johnson is familiar with Louisiana Tech as his previous employer. He was the Bulldogs’ defensive coordinator for last year’s Independence Bowl.

Louisiana Tech (7-5) won its final two games of the regular season to clinch its first winning season since 2019. Adding a little more to that would be an ideal finishing touch. The Bulldogs lost to Army in the 2024 Independence Bowl when they were a late fill-in for the game.

“It’s a lot easier this year and we got a lot more time to plan for it than what we had last year,” said Louisiana Tech coach Sonny Cumbie, who said he expects a supportive crowd on hand.

Johnson is in charge for the bowl and Ryan Beard, previously of Missouri State, has been hired as the next head coach for the Chanticleers.

“We’re looking forward to putting our best foot forward,” Johnson said.

That might come with challenges. Offensive linemen Nick Del Grande and Joe Hanson, who have both received all-conference recognition during their time with the Chanticleers, plan to hit the portal.

The status of Coastal Carolina quarterback Samari Collier, who missed the last two games with an injury, remains unclear. Tad Hudson has thrown for four touchdowns and five interceptions this season.

Johnson is completing his first season with the Coastal Carolina program. He acknowledged uncertainty about his future, adding another complication for the Chanticleers leading to this game.

“There are so many unknowns,” Johnson said. “I’m focused on trying to win this football game.”

Things are fluid throughout the Chanticleers’ coaching offices, where there have been departures ahead of the new regime taking over. Former Coastal Carolina quarterback Grayson McCall, whose playing career ended last year at NC State, has been elevated from an offensive analyst to a coaching role for the bowl.

Louisiana Tech safety Jakari Foster is a first-team All-American, giving the program a player with that distinction for the first time in 13 years. Foster intercepted seven passes in his first season as a starter.

Yet the co-Defensive Player of the Year in Conference USA is Louisiana Tech defensive back Jacob Fields.

It’s a productive defensive unit, with the Bulldogs leading the country with seven defensive touchdowns.

Louisiana Tech’s seventh appearance in the Independence Bowl is a record for that bowl. The Bulldogs are 3-2-1.

Louisiana Tech is moving to the Sun Belt next season, putting it in the same conference with Coastal Carolina.

–Field Level Media

Aug 30, 2025; Clemson, South Carolina, USA; LSU Tigers head coach Brian Kelly looks on against the Clemson Tigers during the second quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images

LSU aims to stay focused against Louisiana Tech after big Clemson win

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LSU was already in the AP Top 10 before the season began.

Then the Tigers had one of the most impressive season openers of anyone by defeating preseason No. 4 Clemson 17-10 on the road.

That vaulted LSU from No. 9 to No. 3 as the Tigers prepare to play Louisiana Tech in their home opener Saturday night in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

The win over Clemson ended a five-year losing streak in season openers and established LSU as a legitimate national championship contender, at least as much as a team can appear in early September.

But Tigers coach Brian Kelly’s focus this season is on keeping his team focused on going 1-0 each week.

“Clemson is a darn good football team, but it’s only one game,” Kelly said. “We have a standard of playing football at LSU, and we have to play to that standard every Saturday. We’re going to be demanding of our players because our expectation is to do the same things each and every week.”

Kelly said the Tigers didn’t do a good job of that last season when they followed a 27-20 loss to USC with a sloppy 44-21 victory against FCS opponent Nicholls in the home opener.

The biggest questions facing LSU going into the season surrounded its offensive line and its defense as a whole.

Both LSU and Clemson played extremely well, although the Tigers outrushed Clemson 108-31. LSU also protected Garrett Nussmeier, who threw for 232 yards (completing 28 of 38) and a tie-breaking touchdown in the fourth quarter, while the defense limited Clemson to 261 yards.

“We’ve put an emphasis on running the ball better and being more balanced on offense,” Kelly said.

Linebacker Harold Perkins, who missed most of last season due to knee surgery, returned to the form he showed as a freshman All-American in 2022, finishing with five tackles, two quarterback hurries and a sack.

“That didn’t happen overnight,” Kelly said of the defensive improvement. “It started in January with the discipline within our program, and it carried over into the way we played. The players have been trusting what we’ve been telling them, and now they’re going out there and doing it.”

Louisiana Tech wasn’t quite as impressive as the Tigers in its opener, but it had a good start nonetheless.

The Bulldogs allowed just 3.6 yards per play, had four sacks and forced three turnovers in a 24-0 home victory over Southeastern Louisiana.

“Any time you get a shutout, it’s a big deal,” Louisiana Tech coach Sonny Cumbie said.

The offense managed just 262 yards, but Trey Kukuk threw for 126 yards and a touchdown and had a team-high 16 rushing attempts for 48 yards.

However, the Bulldogs are advancing to a higher class this week.

“College football is such a big business, and whenever money is behind something, you’re going to have separation between those who have a lot of money and those who don’t have as much,” Cumbie said. “When you play games like this, what you try to do is focus on playing your best and improving.”

–Field Level Media

Nov 23, 2024; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Louisiana Tech Bulldogs quarterback Evan Bullock (7) passes during the fourth quarter against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Arkansas won 35-14. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images

Report: Louisiana Tech leaving CUSA for Sun Belt

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Louisiana Tech is leaving Conference USA to become the 14th member of the Sun Belt Conference, ESPN reported.

Sun Belt officials reportedly approved the move on Monday to replace Texas State, which recently jumped to the Pac-12.

Louisiana Tech has been with Conference USA since 2013. The Bulldogs’ basketball programs and other sports besides football previously were part of the Sun Belt from 1991-2001 before joining the Western Athletic Conference from 2001-13.

The earliest date Louisiana Tech can join the Sun Belt is 2026. It reportedly will cost the school at least $5 million to negotiate an exit from Conference USA.

The Bulldogs’ football program has not finished above .500 since going 10-3 under former coach Skip Holtz in 2019. They were 5-8 last season under Sonny Cumbie.

The Louisiana Tech men’s basketball team has topped 20 wins in 11 of the past 13 seasons but has not been to the NCAA Tournament since 1991.

The women’s basketball team finished 18-16 last season and has not been to the NCAA Tournament since 2011.

–Field Level Media

Dec 28, 2024; Shreveport, LA, USA; Army Black Knights quarterback Bryson Daily (13) warms up before the first half of the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl at Independence Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-Imagn Images

Bryson Daily, No. 22 Army cap big season with Independence Bowl win

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Bryson Daily rushed for 127 yards and three touchdowns, setting a single-season FBS record for scores by a quarterback along the way, as No. 22 Army rolled past Louisiana Tech 27-6 in the Independence Bowl on Saturday in Shreveport, La.

Hayden Reed carried 20 times for a career-high 114 yards and a touchdown as Army (12-2) rebounded from a crushing 31-13 loss two weeks ago to Navy, in which the Black Knights relinquished the Commander-in-Chief’s trophy.

Army improved to 8-3 all-time in bowl games, and its 12 wins are the most in a season in program history.

Daily finished his senior season with 32 touchdowns, which topped the previous mark of 31 by an FBS quarterback, set by Navy’s Keenan Reynolds in 2013.

“I’m really proud of this senior class, the way we came together to have this season,” Daily said. “To have two six-win seasons in a row, to turn it around and get 12, just extremely proud of the guys.”

The Black Knights rang up 321 yards on the ground, averaging 5.0 yards per attempt against short-handed Louisiana Tech (5-8), which was without several players who entered the transfer portal.

The Bulldogs had only six defensive linemen available.

Louisiana Tech was a replacement for Marshall (10-3), which opted out of the game after more than 20 players entered the portal.

The Black Knights limited the Bulldogs to 218 yards and 11 first downs. Army stuffed Louisiana Tech’s rushing attack, allowing just 49 yards on 22 carries.

Evan Bullock completed 14 of 28 passes for 169 yards for Louisiana Tech. Tru Edwards had eight receptions for 92 yards.

Louisiana Tech coach Sonny Cumbie expressed disappointment on two fronts.

“I’m disappointed with them and the outcome. I’m disappointed that we didn’t play our best. I think it’s two fold, to use this taste of postseason play to motivate you to get back here, and then also to use this taste of postseason play to know that you play people where you have a small margin for error.”

Army was without second-leading rusher Kanye Udoh, who has transferred to Arizona State, after amassing 1,117 yards and 10 touchdowns this season.

The Black Knights dominated from the start, scoring touchdowns on their first three drives, which covered 80, 80 and 75 yards.

Army’s 21-play, 75-yard march in the second quarter, which was capped by an 8-yard touchdown run by Daily, chewed a whopping 12:21 off the clock and put the Black Knights up 21-3 at the break.

Louisiana Tech drove inside the Army 10-yard line on three occasions but settled for field goals of 27 and 44 yards from Drew Henderson. The Black Knights’ Jaydan Mayes snuffed out the other march with an interception in the end zone in the fourth quarter.

–Field Level Media

Dec 14, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Army Black Knights quarterback Bryson Daily (13) runs with the ball against the Navy Midshipmen during the second half of the the 125th Army-Navy game at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-Imagn Images

No. 22 Army faces unexpected foe La. Tech in Independence Bowl

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Louisiana Tech coach Sonny Cumbie knows how to pull off a bowl game upset.

Flash back to the 2004 Holiday Bowl, when Cumbie threw for 520 yards to lead No. 23 Texas Tech to a 45-31 win over Aaron Rodgers, Marshawn Lynch and No. 4 California.

Twenty years later, Cumbie hopes to engineer another postseason surprise as Louisiana Tech (5-7) is a prohibitive underdog against No. 22 Army (11-2) in the Independence Bowl on Saturday in Shreveport, La.

The Bulldogs weren’t supposed to be a part of this game. They are a replacement for Marshall (10-3), which withdrew because of the exodus of at least 25 players through the transfer portal.

Enter Louisiana Tech, which adds local flavor as Shreveport is an hour drive from the Bulldogs’ campus in Ruston.

Cumbie said that the seniors were especially excited after they had left campus for the holiday break figuring their college careers were over.

“The first guys we got on the phone with were the seniors,” Cumbie said. “They thought it was like a prank call. They thought we were jacking with them.”

Louisiana Tech is dealing with 16 portal losses, including several linemen from a defense which allowed 301.9 yards per game, the best mark in Conference USA.

Defensive lineman David Blay, who led the Bulldogs in sacks (6.5) and tackles for a loss (10.5), has committed to Miami.

Offensively, Louisiana Tech averages just 3.0 yards per carry. The Bulldogs rely more on Evan Bullock, who has thrown for 1,932 yards and 14 touchdowns with just two interceptions.

Army has an opportunity to finish the season on a positive note after surrendering the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy in a deflating 31-13 loss to Navy on Dec. 14.

It’s also a chance for Bryson Daily to rebound as he threw three interceptions against Navy after tossing just one previously in the regular season.

Daily, who finished sixth in voting for the Heisman Trophy, is the bell cow in Army’s rush-heavy triple-option offense. He has carried for 1,532 yards and 29 touchdowns and has also thrown for nine scores.

Army will be without its second-best running threat, Kanye Udoh, who announced his transfer to Arizona State hours after the Navy game, prompting Black Knights coach Jeff Monken to call the transfer landscape “off the rails.”

“I don’t think it’s healthy to have a transfer portal window open during the season,” Monken said.

Udoh rushed for 1,117 yards and 10 touchdowns this season.

If Army can handle Louisiana Tech, it will finish with 12 wins, which would be the most in a season in program history, even if it didn’t get the one it wanted the most.

“Anytime you get your butt whipped, you want to get back out there and prove that’s not who we are,” Monken said.

This will be Louisiana Tech’s first bowl appearance since 2020 and its sixth time in the Independence Bowl, where it has a 3-2 record.

Army was last in a bowl game in 2021, and this is its second appearance in the Independence Bowl. In its first appearance, it lost to Auburn 32-29 in 1996.

Army and Louisiana Tech have met twice before, with the Black Knights winning both matchups in 2008 and 2013.

–Field Level Media

Nov 23, 2024; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback Taylen Green (10) runs for a touchdown as Louisiana Tech Bulldogs defensive back Demarcus Griffin-Taylor (8) defends at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images

Taylen Green accounts for 4 TDs as Arkansas downs Louisiana Tech

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Taylen Green threw for 221 yards and two touchdowns and also ran for two scores Saturday as Arkansas shrugged off a rocky first quarter to stop visiting Louisiana Tech 35-14 in Fayetteville in a nonconference matchup.

Green completed 20 of 37 passes with an interception as the Razorbacks (6-5) clinched bowl eligibility despite a spate of mistakes. They were flagged eight times for 78 yards, including a holding call on the opening kickoff that negated a 100-yard touchdown return by Rodney Hill, and committed three turnovers.

However, Arkansas controlled both sides of the scrimmage line. It outgained the Bulldogs 454-229 and permitted just 39 yards in 33 rushing attempts. The Razorbacks ran for 233 yards, getting 112 on only 15 carries from Rashod Dubinion.

Evan Bullock completed 26 of 43 attempts for 190 yards and two second half touchdowns for Louisiana Tech, which dropped to 4-7 and won’t be bowl-eligible. Bullock worked under steady pressure, absorbing three sacks and being harassed on other throws.

Arkansas snapped a scoreless tie with 14 second-quarter points to take a two-score lead to halftime. Green capped an 80-yard drive that lasted nearly six minutes with an 11-yard touchdown pass to Isaac TeSlaa with 5:49 left, followed by his 41-yard touchdown run just after the two-minute warning.

A failed gamble by the Bulldogs led to the Razorbacks’ first score after halftime. They tried to convert a fourth-and-one from their 30 but Jimmy Holiday was nailed for a 3-yard loss by TJ Metcalf. Green and TeSlaa hooked up for a 27-yard score on the next play.

Louisiana Tech got on the board on its next possession when Bullock flipped a 2-yard touchdown pass to Eli Finley. But that momentum was short-lived as Arkansas marched 75 yards in 12 plays, Green finishing the drive with an 8-yard scoring run 46 seconds into the fourth quarter.

Bullock’s 20-yard touchdown pass to Holiday with 5:58 left in the game pulled the Bulldogs within 28-14 but Ja’Quinden Jackson finished the game’s competitive phase on a 13-yard scoring jaunt with 3:01 remaining.

–Field Level Media

Nov 16, 2024; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback Taylen Green (10) is tackled by Texas Longhorns defensive back Jaylon Guilbeau (3) as linebacker Liona Leaf (18) defends during the fourth quarter at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Texas won 20-10. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images

Protect QB — and ball — top Arkansas’ to-do list vs. Louisiana Tech

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It’s been pretty simple to figure out the common denominator in Arkansas’ success this season.

When the Razorbacks avoid turnovers and sacks, they win. When opponents make them cough up the ball and get to quarterback Taylen Green, as Texas did last week in a 20-10 decision, Arkansas loses.

At 5-5 and needing a win to become bowl-eligible, the Razorbacks seek the mistake-free version of themselves Saturday in Fayetteville when Louisiana Tech visits for a non-conference contest.

Arkansas has allowed 20 sacks in four Southeastern Conference losses, including six last week. It also gave up a pair of crushing turnovers, including a fumble by freshman CJ Brown after his first career catch deep in Texas territory with 6:55 left. The Razorbacks never saw the ball again.

“That’s kind of been the story of all our losses and all our wins, you know, depending on what we do with turnovers,” Arkansas coach Sam Pittman said.

Green has thrown for 2,363 yards and 11 touchdowns but has also tossed eight interceptions and hung on to the ball too long at times.

“That’s one thing in my game that I have to be better at,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Bulldogs (4-6) kept their bowl hopes alive with a 12-7 Conference USA win at Western Kentucky, which was 5-0 in the league. Buck Buchanan hit four field goals for Louisiana Tech and the defense held the high-powered Hilltoppers to just 215 total yards.

Third-year coach Sonny Cumbie said his team persevered after enduring adversity most of the season.

“I talked to our team about being uncommon,” he said. “They have an uncommon fight and grit. You see the belief they have in each other, that is the most important thing.”

The Bulldogs average just 112.2 yards per game on the ground but surprised Western Kentucky by coming up with 209 in 49 attempts, including 103 from Amani Givens.

Arkansas has won all four previous meetings including a 21-20 verdict in Fayetteville to open the 2016 season.

–Field Level Media

Sep 7, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack quarterback Grayson McCall (2) runs with the football as Tennessee Volunteers defensive lineman Tyre West (42) and defensive lineman Caleb Herring (31) defend during the second half at the Dukes Mayo Classic at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

After drubbing, NC State regroups ahead of Louisiana Tech

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The high hopes North Carolina State had for this season officially have been tempered.

The Wolfpack will look to bounce back from a severe beating when they battle Louisiana Tech on Saturday in Raleigh, N.C.

North Carolina State (1-1) was steamrolled 51-10 by then-No. 14 Tennessee last weekend in a contest that exposed the Wolfpack. Tennessee outgained NC State 460-143 and the points allowed were the most by the Wolfpack since a 55-10 loss to Clemson in 2019.

NC State coach Dave Doeren knew where to place the blame for the debacle.

“It starts with me. I’m the one that sits in there and leads the staff and our game planning and all that,” Doeren said. “But this is a really good bunch of guys, and they will go back to work, I know that, and they’ll stick together. There’ll be a lot of people telling them that they’re no good, and that’s fine.”

Wolfpack quarterback Grayson McCall passed for 318 yards and three touchdowns in his school debut in a 38-21 win over visiting Western Carolina on Aug. 29. It was a much different story in his second appearance.

McCall had just 104 passing yards and was intercepted once against Tennessee during a game in which the Wolfpack were 3-of-12 on third-down conversions and 0-of-2 on fourth down.

McCall, a former three-time Sun Belt Player of the Year at Coastal Carolina, was unable to pinpoint what went wrong.

“I’m not sure honestly. We got behind the sticks a lot,” McCall said. “We were hurting ourselves with penalties, dumb mistakes that we usually don’t make. We weren’t able to sustain drives. When we did and we got to the red zone, we couldn’t finish.”

Louisiana Tech (1-0) had a bye last weekend after opening the season with a 25-17 win over FCS program Nicholls on Aug. 31.

Bulldogs quarterback Jack Turner left the contest in the first half with an injured left knee. The bye week was timely in that regard and coach Sonny Cumbie is hopeful Turner will be available.

“We’ll see more (at practice) how he moves around and where he’s truly at,” Cumbie said. “That’ll determine if he can play, but I’m encouraged with where he’s at in terms of his chances to play.”

Turner completed 4 of 8 passes for 70 yards, one touchdown and one interception before exiting against Nicholls. Backup Blake Baker was 12-of-24 passing for 207 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.

NC State has won both previous meetings, including a 34-27 home win in 2021.

–Field Level Media

Louisiana Tech athletic director Eric Wood gets some advice from Curt Joiner during Tuesday's Bulldog Blitz at Shreveport's Cantina Laredo.

Reports: La. Tech LB suspended for stepping on opponent’s head

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Louisiana Tech has suspended linebacker Brevin Randle indefinitely a day after cameras caught him stepping on an opponent’s head during the Bulldogs’ game against UTEP, multiple media outlets reported Saturday.

According to reports, Louisiana Tech athletic director Eric Wood announced the suspension through a statement, which in part read:

“In speaking with Brevin, he acknowledges that his action was wrong and understands the consequence of that action. Our University, athletic department, and football program believe in culture, class, and competitive excellence and in no way was that displayed in that moment.”

At the end of a run by UTEP quarterback Jake McNamara, Miners lineman Steven Hubbard appears to drive Randle into the ground (Hubbard was blocking Randle on the play) while other players scrambled for the ball after McNamara fumbled. Randle then rolls over on top of Hubbard and gives him a shove as leverage as Randle gets off the ground, then stomps on the side of Hubbard’s helmet/neck area with his right foot before walking away.

No penalty was called on the play, but after the game — a 24-10 Louisiana Tech win — UTEP coach Dana Dimel did say that officials acknowledged the missed call.

“The referee, who I really admire, came over at halftime and very gentlemanly said that he missed it,” Dimel told reporters. “That’s part of the game. (The official) was a class act, I really appreciated that.”

Randle, a redshirt senior who transferred to Louisiana Tech after four seasons at Stephen F. Austin, has 46 tackles (23 solo, 23 assisted) with two sacks and three tackles for loss this season.

–Field Level Media