JOURNAL SPORTS
NEWARK, Del. – Louisiana Tech was on the brink of a stirring comeback victory to become bowl-eligible Saturday but the final minute delivered a devastating blow.
Delaware rallied from an eight-point deficit over the final 60 seconds, including a game-winning 51-yard field goal with 12 seconds to play, to down Tech 25-24 Saturday afternoon at Delaware Stadium.
Tech led 24-16 following Jacob Fields’ interception return for a touchdown — the seventh defensive score on the year for the Bulldogs (5-4, 3-3).
However, the Blue Hens scored on a 3-yard TD pass with just 34 seconds to play to close to within 24-22. The potential game-tying two-point conversion was unsuccessful and the Bulldogs were an onside kick recovery away from their bowl-eligible sealing sixth win.
Tech’s hands team, however, was unable to successfully cover the kick as the Blue Hens recovered on the Bulldogs 40-yard line. Three plays later, Delaware’s Nate Reed hit his fourth field goal of the game, a season long, as Tech dropped another heartbreaking game.
“There were probably three or four areas where we did not execute in a winning manner and that’s the difference in the football game for us,” said head coach Sonny Cumbie.
One of those was special teams.
In a low scoring first half, Tech left points off the scoreboard as Drew Henderson misfired on field goals from 34 and 49 yards. Combined with the inability to recover what would have been the game-sealing onside kick late in the fourth quarter, it was a tough day for the Bulldogs special teams units.
The loss marred an impressive, hard-fought comeback by Tech.
The Bulldogs trailed 16-7 in the fourth quarter before a Henderson 38-yard field goal closed the deficit to 16-10 with 9:09 to play. Following a three-and-out by Delaware, Tech marched 39 yards on eight plays as Clay Thevenin scored his second rushing TD of the day with 3:09 to play to give the Bulldogs a 17-16 advantage.
Fields’ pick six — a 38-yard return with 2:23 to play — upped the Tech advantage to 24-16.
“I was as pleased with how our guys were able to create takeaways on defense,” said Cumbie. “It’s the highest of highs and lowest of lows, really, throughout the course of this game.”
The Bulldogs defense, which was stellar for the majority of the contest, had an opportunity to seal it with less than two minutes to play. However, on fourth down and 10, a controversial defensive pass interference penalty gave the Blue Hens a first down, keeping the eventual TD drive alive.
Delaware’s potential game-tying two-point conversion — a fade pass to the left corner of the endzone — was broken up as Tech maintained a two-point lead and was one special teams play away from the victory.
With only one time out remaining, Delaware lined up for the onside attempt. Following a Tech timeout, the Blue Hens executed the onside kick, leading to the game-winning field goal.
“Just a heartbreaker for our players, for how much they prepared and put into it and how much they put themselves out there for our staff,” said Cumbie.
The defeat spoiled a solid day for Thevenin who rushed for 64 yards and two scores on just 10 carries.
Tech was forced to use three quarterbacks in the game when starter Blake Baker left in the first half with a knee injury and did not return. The QB trio, with Trey Kukuk and Evan Bullock following Baker, combined to complete 18 of 25 passes for 202 yards and one interception.
The Bulldogs’ defense held Delaware to just 4-of-16 on third and fourth down conversions in the game as Fields’ eight tackles and pick six led the way.
Tech will return to action Saturday cross-country when the Bulldogs face Washington State.
“The thing we have to control is our response in terms of how we get back up and show back up and continue to play winning football, because it doesn’t get any easier next week with a trip to Washington State,” said Cumbie, whose team hosts Liberty then travels to Missouri State in its final two games.
Liberty blew out Delaware 59-30 a week earlier, and was beaten Saturday by Missouri State.