JOURNAL SPORTS
HUNTSVILLE, Texas –– Louisiana Tech got only a field goal from four trips inside Sam Houston State’s 10-yard line Tuesday night and the Bulldogs fell 9-3 to the Bearkats in Tech’s lowest scoring game in 30 seasons.
The Bulldogs (3-5 overall, 2-3 in Conference USA) could not overcome four turnovers and two fourth-down failures, the last at Sam Houston’s 3-yard line with just four minutes left.
Tech’s defense did all it could, except score. The Bulldogs forced two turnovers, including an interception by Jakari Foster in the end zone, and held the Bearkats to just 268 total yards.
Sam Houston (7-2, 4-1) came into the contest averaging over 200 yards on the ground but was held to half that, 105 rushing yards.
“I thought we executed really well on defense and on special teams as well. Offensively, we did not,” said Tech coach Sonny Cumbie.
Tech’s only points were a 24-yard Buch Buchanan field goal that gave the ‘Dogs a 3-0 advantage with 2:24 remaining in the first quarter.
This was the result of the Bulldogs’ second offensive series. The first one was a solid 11-play, 68-yard drive that got the Bulldogs down to the 7-yard line, but a fumble on 4th-and-1 ended the threat.
Sam Houston scored its only first-half points on a safety, when redshirt freshman quarterback Evan Bullock was sacked, making the score 3-2 at the midway point
The Bearkats took the lead on their first drive of the second half as Jay Ducker broke off a 40-yard run to cap off a 7-play, 75-yard drive. That was all they needed.
The Bulldogs had the ball inside the Bearkat 5-yard line in the fourth quarter, but on first-and-goal, fumbled on a jet-sweep exchange for its fourth turnover of the game. Then after quickly getting the ball back after the defense forced its fifth three-and-out, the offense got down to the 3-yard line but could not connect on a pass on fourth down.
Even so, the ‘Dogs had one more chance to win the game. A quick 17-yard pass from Jack Turner to Jimmy Holiday over the middle put LA Tech at the Sam Houston 35-yard line with enough time left on the clock.
Two incomplete passes and a crossing route for just one yard put the road team in another fourth down situation. A heavy blitz got to Turner as he was hit as he attempted a pass.
Tech outgained Sam Houston, 312-268. Bullock and Turner combined for 207 passing yards with 80 of that going to Tru Edwards who had a game-high eight receptions.