LOUISIANA TECH 2024 BULLDOG FOOTBALL 13 bowl appearances
A total of 26 players made thier Bulldog debuts against Nicholls State.
The number of yards that Marquis Crosby needs to reach 1,000 career rushing yards. Crosby returned to the field against Nicholls and picked up 44 yards on nine carries. The number of current Bulldogs that saw playing time against NC State in 2021. Cedric Woods (three tackles) and Mykol Clark (three tackles, .5 TFLs) started on the defensive side, while Bert Hale and Jerren Gilbert appeared on the OL against the Wolfpack.
A LA TECH WIN... • Would give Tech their first-ever win in the State of North Carolina. Tech is 0-7 all-time in the Tar Heel State, having dropped one contest to Charlotte, two games to NC State and four to East Carolina. • Would mark LA Tech’s first 2-0 start since 2020. • Would give the Bulldogs their 9th win over an ACC program.
AT NC STATE WOLFPACK (1-1, 0-0 acc) Head Coach: Dave Doeren Record at NC State: 82-59 (12th year) Career Record: 105-63 (14th year) Record vs. LA Tech: 2-0
BULLDOG STORYLINES AND 2024 LEADERS
• Redshirt freshman quarterback Blake Baker made his collegiate debut when he was thrust into action in the first quarter after starter Jack Turner exited the game due to injury following just three drives. The Texas native made the most of his first collegiate action, completing 50 percent of his passes for 207 yards and one passing touchdow, while also adding 22 yards on the ground.
BLAKE BAKER 12/24 (50.0%) | 207 YARDS | 1 TD
• Despite the rain in the Bulldogs’ opener, Tech’s defense, led by newly appointed defensive coordinator Jeremiah Johnson, shined. Johnson’s defense allowed just 200 total yards (138 passing, 62 rushing) to the Colonels, putting the Bulldogs 11th in the FBS for yards allowed per game. Tech’s front seven pressured the quarterback all night, recording six sacks, the most in a game since 2018. Additionally, Johnson’s defense logged the program’s first safety since 2018 on Nicholl’s first offensive play. Tech is tied for 13th with 62.0 rushing yards allowed per game. • Transfer linebacker Kolbe Fields had a standout performance in his long-anticipated Bulldog debut against Nicholls. The South Carolina/LSU transfer, who sat out last season, collected 12 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks in the season opener. • LA Tech will be seeking its first win in the state of North Carolina on Saturday, as it has previously gone 0-7 in the Tar Heel State. Tech has lost road games to NC State (2021, 2013), East Carolina (1969, 1989, 1990, 1993), and Charlotte (2022).
QB
• Louisiana Tech opened its season with a 25-17 victory over Nicholls State in a rain-soaked contest, marking the program’s 11th consecutive home-opening win. The victory also represented head coach Sonny Cumbie’s second consecutive season-opening win. Cumbie will now aim to become the first Tech coach to lead the Bulldogs to a 2-0 start since 2020.
MARQUIS RB CROSBY
70 26 18 4
The number of yards that Patrick Rea’s first punt of the season went for. Rea’s 70-yard boot is tied for the 8th longest punt in program history, and it was the 2nd longest punt in the FBS after week one.
Head Coach: Sonny Cumbie Record at LA Tech: 7-18 (3rd year) Career Record: 9-21 (4th year) Record vs. NC State: 0-0
9 CARRIES | 44 YARDS
MARLION WR JACKSON
BY THE NUMBERS
LOUISIANA TECH BULLDOGs (1-0, 0-0 cusa)
3 RECEPTIONS | 76 YARDS
LB
DATE/TIME: Saturday, Sept. 14 | 11 a.m. CT LOCATION: Carter-Finley Stadium (Raleigh, N.C.) SERIES HISTORY: NC State leads, 2-0 STREAK: NC State, 2 LAST MEETING: Oct. 2, 2021 | Raleigh, N.C. NC State 34, LA Tech 27 MEDIA: ACC Network | WatchESPN TALENT: Jorge Sedano (pxp), Orlando Franklin (analyst), Morgan Uber (sideline) RADIO: LA Tech Sports Network | LA Tech Athletics app TALENT: Malcolm Butler (pxp), Teddy Allen (analyst) STATS: LATechSports.com/Stats
3 NFL HALL OF FAMERS
KOLBE FIELDS
3 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
12 TACKLES | 3.5 TFL | 1.5 SACKS
2024 SCHEDULE & RESULTS
NICHOLLS Aug. 31 ESPN+ W, 25-17
at NC STATE Sept. 14 ACC Network 11 a.m. CT
TULSA Sept. 21 ESPN Platforms 6 p.m. CT
at FIU* Sept. 28 ESPN Platforms 5 p.m. CT
MIDDLE TENNESSEE* at NEW MEXICO STATE* Oct. 10 Oct. 15 CBSSN ESPNU 7 p.m. CT 8 p.m. CT
UTEP* Oct. 22 CBSSN 7 p.m. CT
at SAM HOUSTON* Oct. 29 ESPNU 7 p.m. CT
JACKSONVILLE STATE* Nov. 9 CBSSN 3:30 p.m. CT
at WKU* Nov. 16 CBSSN 11 a.m. CT
at ARKANSAS Nov. 23 SEC Nework+ TBA
KENNESAW STATE* Nov. 30 ESPN Platforms 2 p.m. CT