By Bert Lunay
Bulldogs set for first of four straight weekday games
LOUISIANA TECH GAME NOTES
https://latechsports.com/documents/2024/10/6/LA_Tech_FB_Game_Notes_vs._MTSU.pdf
MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE GAME NOTES
https://latechsports.com/documents/2024/10/6/MTSU_vs_LT.pdf
RUSTON – The Louisiana Tech football team will host the 1-4 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders on Thursday at 7:00 p.m., returning to Joe Aillet Stadium for their first home Conference USA matchup. The game, which will be nationally televised on CBS Sports Network, marks the first of four weekday games for LA Tech in October. Both the Bulldogs and the Blue Raiders come into tomorrow night’s contest eying their first FBS win of the season.
GAMEDAY INFORMATION
Date: Thursday, Oct. 10
Time: 7 p.m. (CT)
Location: Ruston, La. (Joe Aillet Stadium)
TV: CBS Sports Network
Live Stats: LATechSports.com/Stats
Radio: LA Tech Sports Network | LA Tech Athletics App
SERIES HISTORY
Series: LA Tech leads 5-3
In Ruston: 4-0
In Murfreesboro: 1-3
Neutral: 0-0
This will be the 9th meeting all-time between LA Tech and MTSU. LA Tech leads the series 5-3. Tech earned three consecutive victories to start the series in 1984, 1996, and 1999 before falling to the Blue Raiders in 2000.
Thursday’s contest will be the 7th FBS matchup between the two and the fifth CUSA game, with the series tied at two apiece. LA Tech has never lost to MTSU at home, holding a 4-0 mark at Joe Aillet Stadium. The Bulldogs fell 31-23 to the Blue Raiders on the road last season, moving their record in Murfreesboro to 1-3.
ABOUT LA TECH
The Bulldogs moved to 1-3 (0-1 CUSA) after falling 17-10 to FIU last time out.
Redshirt freshman quarterback Evan Bullock made his first career start against the Panthers and is expected to make his second against MTSU. The Texas native saw his first extended action after entering the game with just 11 career attempts. He played the entire game and finished 26 of 37 for 218 yards. Bullock, who entered the season as the third-string quarterback, has connected on 30 of 43 attempts for 267 yards and one touchdown this season.
True Edwards leads the team in receptions (17) and yards (208). Edwards hauled in a career-high eight catches against FIU, while Marlion Jackson also set new career-highs in receptions (5) and yards (81). Edwards and Jackson are the only two Bulldogs with double-digit grabs.
Donerio Davenport become the first Bulldog back to cross the 100-yard mark this season after rushing for 25 yards against FIU. Davenport leads the team with 107 yards on 31 carries. Marquis Crosby has 17 attempts for 65 yards, while Omiri Wiggins has picked up 59 yards on 19 carries.
Middle linebacker Zach Zimos has been the team’s top tackler with 35 stops. Kolbe Fields, Demarcus Griffin-Taylor, and Blake Thompson all rank second on the team with 24 tackles apiece. Fields leads the team with 5.0 tackles for loss, while linebackers Sifa Leota leads the defense with 2.5 sacks.
The LA Tech defense remains one of the best in not only the CUSA, but in the nation, allowing just 299.5 yards per game. That ranks 24th in the FBS and first in the CUSA. The Bulldogs are the only CUSA team that hasn’t given up double-digit touchdowns (9).
BY THE NUMBERS
11 – LA Tech has had 11 first-time starters this season. The Bulldogs are ranked 9th in the FBS with 11 different first-time starters and are one of 11 teams with double-digit first-time starters.
10 – The LA Tech defense has tallied 10 sacks through the first four games. The Bulldogs registered three sacks against FIU to push their season total to double-digits. With eight games remaining, Tech will look to surpass last season’s total of 16.
4 – Tight end Eli Finley is the only player to log at least one reception in all four games this season. The second-year Bulldog has caught nine passes for 146 yards and one touchdown this season.
3 – The number of rushing touchdowns that wide receiver Jimmy Holiday has scored this season. Holiday has found the end zone three times on just seven carries. His three rushing scores leads the team.
ABOUT MTSU (1-4)
The Blue Raiders come into tomorrow’s match with a 1-4 record after being picked to finish fourth in the CUSA. MTSU earned a 32-25 victory over FCS foe Tennessee Tech to start the year, but have dropped their last four games. The Blue Raiders fell 24-7 to Memphis their last time out.
MTSU is averaging 345.4 yards on offense while giving up 476.0 yards per outing. The Blue Raiders are allowing 39.0 points per game posting just 16.0 themselves.
Quarterback Nicholas Vattiato has passed for 1,285 yards and five scores on 107-of-163 passing. The Blue Raiders have the league’s top target in wide receiver Omari Kelly, who has posted 24 grabs for 471 yards and three scores. Jaiden Credle leads the team on the ground with 233 yards on 49 carries along with two scores.
COURTESY MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE AND LOUISIANA TECH ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS
