By MALCOLM BUTLER, Lincoln Parish Journal
RUSTON — Two teams both in need of a victory will square off tonight when Louisiana Tech hosts Middle Tennessee at 7 p.m. at Joe Aillet Stadium.
It’s the first of four straight midweek games for both programs, part of Conference USA’s 5-year ESPN television package that calls for only non-traditional playing dates in the month of October. The telecast tonight is on CBS Sports Network.
Tech (1-3, 0-1) looks to snap a three-game losing streak in which the Bulldogs have been in the contests in the fourth quarter before coming up short on all three occasions. Middle Tennessee (1-4, 0-1) has dropped four straight games against a tough slate which included Ole Miss, Duke, Memphis and Western Kentucky.
Bulldog head coach Sonny Cumbie said his team is ready for its next challenge.
“We look forward to a loud crowd,” said Cumbie. “We look forward to another opportunity for our football team to get back out on the field in Conference USA play. I think we handled our bye week well. … I think our kids have made the most of it. We have had some spirited practices.”
With Louisiana Tech struggling to score points thus far this season, Cumbie made the decision early last week that he was going to hand over offensive play calling duties to co-OC and offensive line coach Nathan Young.
“This is the right situation and the right decision for our offense,” said Cumbie. “It’s the right decision for our football team. Coach Young has called offense before, and he has been highly successful at it. There are a lot of people who can call it, but we want a guy who can be highly successful.”
Young has served as the offensive coordinator on both the college and high school levels during his coaching career. The third year Tech assistant coach said he appreciated the faith that Cumbie has in him.
“Everything that you have seen in the media is exactly what he said to me,” said Young. “That’s my favorite part about Sonny Cumbie. He is who he is. What a humble move by that man to recognize that he has a lot on his plate, and life gets really hard and we are all human. You can only be so many places at one time. For him to put his trust and faith in me in a role that he has thrived in over his career, mean’s a lot to me. Hopefully we can go out and (be productive) Thursday night.”
Redshirt freshman Evan Bullock will make his second career start at quarterback after completing 26 of 37 passes for 218 yards at Florida International in the Bulldogs’ last game 12 days ago. Bullock is the ninth starting QB for Tech in the past 28 games.
The Bulldogs continue to hang their hat on the defensive side of the football, ranking among the league leaders and even nationally in numerous statistical categories. Tech is allowing just 21.8 points per game and only 299.5 yards per contest.
“I think on defense our guys are flying around and playing tough, tenacious and together,” said Cumbie. “That’s what our football identity is and they are playing into that. They have done a great job of getting people off the field.”
Middle Tennessee is led by QB Nicholas Vattiato who has completed 107-of-163 passes for 1,285 yards and five scores this season. His favorite targets include Omari Kelly (24-471-3), Myles Butler (11-145-1), Holden Willis (20-320-1) and Cam’ron Lacy (11-116-0).
The Louisiana Tech Sports Network broadcast on The Light 92.1 FM in Shreveport begins with the pregame show starting at 5:30 p.m.
Contact Malcolm at lpjnewsla@gmail.com