JOURNAL SPORTS
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Louisiana Tech ran and rallied its way to bowl eligibility last Saturday.
This Saturday, the Bulldogs can lock up a bowl bid if they can finish the regular season with a win at Conference USA newcomer Missouri State.
Kickoff is 1 p.m. with the game streamed on ESPN+. Local radio coverage is available at 95.7 KLKL FM with Kyle Schassburger accompanied by local analysts Teddy Allen and Jerry Byrd.
Tech moved to 6-5 overall (4-3 in CUSA) with a 34-28 overtime victory over visiting Liberty last Saturday, overcoming a 28-7 deficit after halftime. That win gave the Bulldogs the necessary six wins to become bowl eligible for the first time since 2019 – but it does not guarantee a bowl invitation.
There are 80 bowl slots and Tech is one of 72 teams already with at least six wins. Nearly 20 other teams can become bowl eligible with wins this weekend.
A seventh win would assure the Bulldogs of a postseason bowl and would also lock down the first winning season in Ruston since 2019.
The Bulldogs ran for 319 yards to beat Liberty, while Missouri State held CUSA co-leader Kennesaw State to 2.8 yards per carry – but lost a 41-34 decision.
It was the first loss in six games by the Bears (7-4, 5-2), who moved up from the FCS Missouri Valley Conference this season.
Kennesaw and Western Kentucky collide Saturday in a matchup of CUSA co-leaders (6-1 in the league) while the third co-leader, Jacksonville State, goes to Liberty.
One of the biggest reasons the Bulldogs prevailed last Saturday, safety Jakari Foster, was named the Conference USA Defensive Player of the Week.
The redshirt senior came up with two critical interceptions and added eight tackles.
Foster’s first interception came late in the third quarter with the Bulldogs down 28-14 and Liberty driving. His pickoff at Tech’s 4-yard line ignited a 96-yard scoring drive that made it 28-21.
He picked off Ethan Vasko’s pass in the end zone on Liberty’s first overtime possession. Tech scored on the first play of its overtime series to secure the win.
The redshirt senior leads the nation with six interceptions to go along with 48 tackles, three pass break ups, three quarterback hurries and one forced fumble. His six interceptions are the most by a Bulldog in a single season since Xavier Woods tallied six in 2014.