JOURNAL SPORTS

RUSTON – Two Conference USA also-rans who have been in more than their share of drama-filled games lately collide Saturday afternoon at Aillet Stadium when Louisiana Tech meets league newcomer Kennesaw State.

Kickoff is 3 p.m. between the Bulldogs (4-7, 3-4) and Owls (2-9, 2-5). It’s the first-ever football collision between the programs.

Kennesaw State is coming off a 27-26 triumph over Florida International to close out its home schedule, thanks to 10 points in the fourth quarter including a decisive 19-yard field goal by Austin Welch, earning him CUSA Special Teams Player of the Week honors.

Tech owes its last victory to a kicker – Buch Buchanan, whose foot accounted for all the Bulldogs’ scoring two weeks ago in a 12-7 upset over previous CUSA unbeaten Western Kentucky. Buchanan was also a repeat pick for the conference special teams award.

Kennesaw State has been involved in some heart-racing games over the last three weeks, losing back-to-back games in overtime before scratching and clawing to earn the one-point victory over FIU.

Louisiana Tech has been in drama-filled contests all season – notably dropping their last home game in overtime to Jacksonville State, which hit a last-play Hail Mary to get the game extended. It was the third overtime game of 2024 for coach Sunny Cumbie’s club, and none has ended happily for the Bulldogs.

Nine of Tech’s 11 games have been decided by one score, including eight straight contests before last week’s 35-14 loss at Arkansas.

Redshirt freshman quarterback Evan Bullock has only been intercepted twice in 243 attempts while throwing for 14 touchdowns and 1,708 yards and completing 67 percent of his passes. Tru Edwards has caught 67 throws for 813 yards and six TDs to top the Tech receiving corps.

Defense is where Tech shines, ranking in the nation’s top 30 all season, led by Kolbe Fields with 71 tackles and Zach Zimos with 63.