JOURNAL SPORTS
RUSTON – Which Louisiana Tech football team will trot onto the Aillet Stadium turf Tuesday night to take on UTEP in a Conference USA matchup?
Will it be the Bulldogs who rang up 48 points two games ago in a blowout of Middle Tennessee in Tech’s last Aillet Stadium outing?
Or will the team resurface that struggled offensively as a 10 ½-point favorite on the road last Tuesday against a struggling New Mexico State team, eventually falling 33-30 in double overtime?
Kickoff is 7 o’clock with national television coverage on CBS Sports Network. The Louisiana Tech Radio Network broadcast with Malcolm Butler, Teddy Allen and Jerry Byrd Jr. can be heard on 92.1 The Light in Shreveport.
Tech is 2-4 overall, 1-2 in CUSA. UTEP is 1-6, 1-3.
After scoring a combined 75 points during the first four games. Tech’s 48 points versus Middle Tennessee was the most in a CUSA game since Nov. 9, 2019 (ninth most in a CUSA game in program history). The Bulldogs’ 30 points last Tuesday in Las Cruces came late in the contest.
The Bulldogs’ defense currently ranks first in CUSA and 30th in the country in total defense, allowing just 316.3 yards per game. The Bulldogs also rank first in the league and 24th in the nation in rushing defense, allowing just 104.2 yards on the ground.
The most consistent offensive weapon in Tech’s lineup is Shreveport native Tru Edwards, who recorded his third 100-yard game of the season at New Mexico State. It was his second straight after finishing with a career-high nine catches for 110 yards against the Aggies. Edwards logged two touchdowns catches, marking his first multi receiving touchdown game of his career. He leads the team with 32 grabs for 445 yards and four scores.
The Miners enter tonight’s game on the heels of their first win of the season, which also marked their first CUSA win. UTEP was able to pull out a 30-21 decision over Florida International.
First-year coach Scotty Walden, who made the move west from Austin Peay, brought many of his former players with him to run his offense. UTEP’s top quarterback, running back and wide receiver all hail from Austin Peay.