by Malcolm Butler
Although its only week No. 3 of the 2024 season for Louisiana Tech, Bulldog head coach Sonny Cumbie knows today’s home game is a big one for his team.
Tech (1-1) hosts Tulsa (1-2) at 6 p.m. at Joe Aillet Stadium in a Red Out. The game can be heard on the LA Tech Sports Network on 107.5 FM with the pregame show starting at 4:30 p.m. with Malcolm Butler, Teddy Allen and Jerry Byrd on the call.
Tech is coming off a 30-20 loss at North Carolina State last weekend in Raleigh in a game that saw the Bulldogs lead 17-6 at the half and enter the final quarter tied at 20-20.
And although the season will only be a quarter of the way in the books by the time tonight’s clock strikes zeros on the scoreboard, a positive result of this match-up could provide momentum heading into the Conference USA opener at FIU next weekend.
“I think its a big game for us this week in terms of our response,” said Cumbie. “It’s what we have talked about all week … being coachable, teachable and sticking together. And how much can we improve from the second game to the third game.
“It’s a big game at home. We are playing Tulsa, another Group of 5 team. Students will be here. I think we will have a great crowd. It’s going to be a great environment. I think for us to seize this moment and momentum as a football team and a program is really important.”
Tech’s defense has been the biggest bright spot thus far for the Bulldogs under first year defensive coordinator Jeremiah Johnson. That unit has allowed only three touchdowns in two games and ranks among the nation’s best in number of statistical categories.
Cumbie said the Bulldogs will face a Tulsa team that likes to be aggressive down the field.
“They like to play with tempo,” said Cumbie. “Their quarterback (Kirk) Francis is a red-shirt freshman. He has done a nice job in terms of his efficiency. Zion Steptoe (8-106-0) and Kamdyn Benjamin (17-290-2) are their two best receivers.”
Francis has completed 53-of-89 passes for 651 yards with five TDs and only two interceptions.
“What they are going to try to do is play tempo, and they are going to try to play-action pass and hit shots down the field,” said Cumbie. “Those are the things we have to be able to defend … max protection and them throwing shots down the field.”
Tulsa is surrendering over 33 points per game after defeating Northwestern State (62-28) while dropping games against Arkansas State (28-24) and Oklahoma State (45-10). They are allowing over 260 yards per game through the air and eight aerial scores thus far.
However, they are holding teams to just 3.4 yards per carry on the season.
“Defensively, Tulsa has been good against the run,” said Cumbie. “We have to be able to run the football more efficiently. They are big up front. Their linebackers are thicker. I do think they have been susceptible against the pass at times. We have to try to take advantage of that.”
Tech leads the all-time series 7-3 although Tulsa won the last meeting 24-14 at Joe Aillet Stadium in 2013.
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