https://latechsports.com/documents/2022/10/27/Game_8_-_FIU_Notes_Final_1027.pdf
https://latechsports.com/documents/2022/10/27/Week_9_-_FIU_vs._La_Tech_Football_Game_Notes.pdf
RUSTON – The Louisiana Tech football team travels to Miami for a Friday night clash with FIU at 7 p.m. The game will be broadcasted nationally on CBS Sports Network.
GAMEDAY INFORMATION
Date: Friday, Oct. 28
Time: 7 p.m. (CT)
Location: Miami, Fla. (Riccardo Silva Stadium)
Live Stats:LaTechSports.com/stats
Radio:LA Tech Sports Network (KXKZ 107.5 FM)
TV:CBS Sports Network
SERIES HISTORY
Series: LA Tech leads, 4-0
In Ruston: 2-0
In Miami: 2-0
ABOUT LA TECH (2-5)
The Bulldogs are coming off a heart-breaking 42-41 overtime loss to Rice on Homecoming last weekend. LA Tech was without multiple starters including, tight end Griffin Hebert, defensive backs Jaiden Cole and BeeJay Williamson in addition to defensive linemen Deshon Hall and Rasheed Lyles. Starting quarterback Parker McNeil and backup quarterback Matthew Downing also both exited the game due to injury.
McNeil leads the Tech offense, having passed for 1,623 yards and 15 touchdowns this season. He currently ranks sixth in the FBS in passing yards per completion (14.89).
The Bulldogs receiving core is led by the trio of Tre Harris, Smoke Harris and tight end Griffin Hebert.
Tre Harris leads LA Tech this season with 39 receptions, 595 receiving yards and seven receiving touchdowns. Harris’ seven receiving touchdowns rank eighth nationally, while his 595 receiving yards rank 34th. Against Rice, Harris had a team-high eight receptions for 92 yards and three touchdowns. He became the first Bulldog since Carlos Henderson in 2016 to register at least three receiving touchdowns in a single game.
Smoke Harris has tallied 415 yards receiving and four touchdowns. Harris has recorded a reception in 27 consecutive games, which is the 18th longest streak in the country and is the only Bulldog to score a touchdown in every season dating back to 2018.
Hebert’s 67.2 receiving yards per game rank this season ranks third among all FBS tight ends. Hebert also ranks 13th nationally in average yards per catch (20.15).
On the ground, running back Marquis Crosby leads the way with 456 total yards and three touchdowns this season.
LA Tech ranks sixth nationally in scrimmage plays over 50 yards (8), fourth nationally with six plays from scrimmage over sixty yards (6) and eighth nationally in plays from scrimmage over 40 yards (13).
Defensively, LA Tech has had a knack for taking the ball away from opposing offenses. The Bulldogs forced and recovered three fumbles in the loss to Rice, extending the LA Tech streak of games with a turnover forced to 12. Their nine fumble recoveries this season are the sixth-most among all FBS programs, while their 16 turnovers gained rank ninth nationally.
Despite being limited due to injury, Linebacker Tyler Grubbs leads the Bulldogs with 48 total tackles and four and a half tackles for loss this season. He ranks among the FBS active career leaders in total tackles per game (5th, 9.04) and solo tackles per game (12th, 4.19). The New Orleans product has tallied five or more tackles in 26 of his 27 career games.
Defensive back BeeJay Williamson is second on the team in tackles with 44, including a tackle for loss in addition to an interception and a pass break up.
Willie Roberts leads the secondary in interceptions with two. Roberts has recorded an interception in the loss at South Alabama (Sept. 24) and win over UTEP (Oct. 8).
Kershawn Fisher is the Bulldogs leading tackler on the defensive line with 17 total stops, followed by Deshon Hall and Keivie Rose with 13 and 12, respectively.
Cumbie is in his inaugural season at the helm of the LA Tech football program. LA Tech is one of 29 FBS programs with a new coach this season.
ABOUT FIU (3-4)
FIU is coming off a 34-15 win at Charlotte, its first conference win of the season. The Panthers opened C-USA play with a loss at WKU (73-0) and a loss to UTSA (30-10).
In non-conference play, FIU picked up wins over Bryant (38-37, OT) and New Mexico State (21-7) while falling to UCONN (33-12) and Texas State (41-12).
The Panthers comes into the matchup averaging 18 points a contest while surrendering 33.7 points.
The offense is led by quarterback Grayson James who has completed 145 of 233 passes this season for 1,406 yards and eight touchdowns while throwing six interceptions.
Lexington Joseph is their leading rusher with 363 yards and three touchdowns.
Wide receiver Tyrese Chambers has been James’ strongest connection, with 37 receptions for 405 yards and three touchdowns this season. Chambers was an All-C-USA Preseason First Team selection by both Athlon Sports and Phil Steele this season.
Sophomore defensive back Jamal Potts leads the FIU defense with 35 total tackles this season, including 4.5 tackles for loss and four pass breakups.
FIU is led by head coach Mike MacIntyre who is in his first year at FIU. The Miami native returned home after six years at Colorado, where he guided the Buffaloes to a 30-44 overall record which included a 10-win campaign in 2016.
For all the latest in Bulldog Football, follow them on Twitter (@LATechFB), Instagram (@LATechFB) and Facebook (LATechFootball) or visit the official website at LATechSports.com.
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