JOURNAL SPORTS
BATON ROUGE –Louisiana Tech’s defense gave the Bulldogs opportunities, but the Bulldogs’ offense could not capitalize against the fierce defense of No. 8 LSU and the Tigers pulled away after halftime for a 45-14 win Saturday night at Tiger Stadium.
The Bulldogs (1-1) forced four turnovers in the first half, including a record-setting 100-yard interception return for a touchdown by Jordan McRae.
But Tech managed just 132 yards of total offense, nearly all of it in the final period, not getting a first down until the fourth period, as LSU (2-0) overcame the early miscues and eventually took control.
“I was very proud of how hard our guys played for four quarters,” Louisiana Tech coach Sonny Cumbie said. “We can focus on what we didn’t do as we watch the film and learn from it, but they played extremely hard for four quarters.
“Our kids fought. They strained their bodies. They laid it on the line, and we just didn’t make enough plays from an offensive standpoint to keep us in the game.”
McRae provided Tech’s only points of the first half when he intercepted LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt and returned it 100 yards for a touchdown with 1:53 remaining in the second quarter. It was the longest interception or fumble return in Louisiana Tech history.
McRae was one of three Bulldogs to intercept Leavitt in the opening half, joining Zheric Hill and Kam Franklin. McRae also forced a fumble that Janard Lockhardt recovered and returned 35 yards.
Tech’s defense also slowed LSU on the ground early, holding the Tigers to 13 rushing yards in the first quarter and 44 in the first half. The Bulldogs finished with 11 tackles for loss, recording five sacks.
Alonzo Jackson Jr. led Tech with 12 tackles, including three sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss. McRae added 11 tackles to go along with his interception and forced fumble.
“Defensively we just played a tremendous performance,” Cumbie said. “We got tired late. We did a great job of keeping their quarterback on his heels in terms of throwing the football. We knew he was going to make plays with his feet. He’s very dynamic and a really great runner. He hurt us a couple of times there.”
While the defense repeatedly gave Tech opportunities, the Bulldogs struggled to sustain anything offensively against LSU’s defense.
“We just didn’t play enough offense,” Cumbie said. “The team we were going against is probably one of the best defenses that I’ve ever seen. They’re really fast. They’re big. They’re athletic.
“We had our opportunities early in the game and didn’t create as much momentum as we would have liked to.”
Jalen Mickens provided Tech’s biggest offensive play, hauling in a 67-yard touchdown pass from Blake Baker in the fourth quarter. Mickens finished with six receptions for 101 yards, becoming the first Bulldog with consecutive 100-yard receiving games since Tru Edwards in 2024.
Baker completed 11 of 21 passes for 128 yards and one touchdown. Tech’s 132 yards of total offense were its fewest since managing 154 against LSU last season.
Louisiana Tech returns to the road Saturday when the Bulldogs travel to face Baylor.