JOURNAL SPORTS
Louisiana Tech’s defense hung up a goose egg for the second straight week Saturday afternoon while Northwestern State came within one play of breaking through for its first win in homecoming games for both teams.
Grambling and Centenary both had the weekend off.
LOUISIANA TECH 26, OLD DOMINION 0: In Ruston, Tech extended its dominant defensive stretch Saturday afternoon, shutting out Old Dominion in front of 20,444 fans for homecoming at Joe Aillet Stadium to secure its fourth consecutive victory and remain unbeaten in Sun Belt Conference play.
The Bulldogs (5-2, 3-0 SBC) recorded back-to-back shutouts for the first time since 1959, holding the Monarchs (2-6, 1-4 SBC) to just 141 yards of total offense, including minus-13 rushing yards. The victory marked Louisiana Tech’s first win over Old Dominion in program history and its first 3-0 start in conference play since 2019.
Tech’s defense registered 13 tackles for loss, six sacks and an interception while limiting Old Dominion to 13 first downs. The Bulldogs have now held opponents scoreless in eight consecutive quarters following last week’s 24-0 victory at ULM.
Blake Baker completed 28 of 34 passes for 303 yards and a touchdown while adding a rushing score. Eli Finley made a career-high 10 receptions for 128 yards and a touchdown, while Jalen Mickens added eight catches for 110 yards, giving the Bulldogs two 100-yard receivers in the same game for the second time this season.
NICHOLLS 31, NORTHWESTERN 27: Despite outgaining Nicholls by more than 100 yards and holding the ball for more than 33 minutes, Northwestern State fell Saturday at Turpin Stadium in a Southland Conference football thriller when Zach Wilcke’s pass into the end zone was intercepted as time expired.
The Demons (0-8, 0-5) took over at their own 14-yard line with 1:45 remaining and drove 71 yards in 12 plays, but the interception came as Wilcke had good protection, but couldn’t find an open receiver. It ended the comeback bid. It was the only turnover of the game.
“That’s about as hard a loss as we’ve had since we’ve been here,” third-year Demons’ coach Blaine McCorkle said. “For the second time in two years we drive down the field and throw the ball into the end zone to win and can’t finish it. You can’t write that script anywhere. Our guys continue to fight unbelievably hard. There is absolutely no quit in them.”
NSU receiver Amaaz Eugene finished with a career-high 161 yards on seven catches, recording his second 100-yard receiving game of the season. Wilcke threw for a career-best 340 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for 74 yards and another score, totaling 414 yards of offense.