Courtesy of Staff Reports
MIAMI, Fla – Louisiana Tech proved to be its own worst enemy at times Saturday night at Pitbull Stadium in a 17-10 loss to FIU in the Conference USA opener for both teams.
Untimely penalties and the lack of offensive output were the biggest culprits as Tech (1-3, 0-1) was penalized a season-high eight times, including three that proved to be crucial on the scoreboard.
The Bulldogs had a 40-yard interception return for a TD by Blake Thompson in the second quarter negated due to a roughing the passer penalty.
Tech’s defense – which played well for the fourth straight game – had two dead-ball unsportsmanlike penalties that kept FIU drives alive that results in the only two TDs of the night for the Panthers.
“Disappointed in the result,” said Tech head coach Sonny Cumbie. “At times we did not play smart. We did not play smart in certain situations. We have to play smarter and cleaner. It stings in terms of the outcome.”
Tech has now dropped three straight games by a total of 20 points with each contest decided in the fourth quarter or overtime.
Freshman Evan Bullock made his first career start at quarterback for the Bulldogs and responded with a solid outing. The Anna, Texas, completed 26 of 37 passes for 218 yards and no interceptions.
“I thought he was very poised,” said Cumbie. “I thought he made some really nice throws. We have to be more explosive though in throwing the ball down the field.”
For the fourth straight game the Bulldogs simply could not run the football, especially in short-yardage situations. But this time it came against an FIU run defense that entered the contest allowing more than 200 yards per game on the ground.
The most glaring example came late in the second quarter with Tech trailing 7-0. The Bulldogs faced a first and goal from the 1-yard line, but four straight run plays were all stuffed as the Panthers (2-3, 1-0) turned Tech away.
“When you look at all of the plays, you have to be able to get a yard,” said Cumbie. “We were not able to do that. It was disappointing. You have to find a way to win football games.”
FIU took a 7-0 lead in the first quarter on a Keyon Jenkins 10-yard scoring toss to Eric Rivers, who ended with 7 catches for 97 yards and the one TD. The drive was aided by a dead-ball unsportsmanlike penalty that wiped out a third down and long for the Panthers.
FIU took the 7-0 lead into the halftime locker room.
Following a three-and-out by the Bulldogs offense on its first possession of the third quarter, FIU mounted a 56-yard scoring drive, capped by Lexington Joseph’s five-yard TD run as the Panthers took the 14-0 lead. Once again, the scoring drive was aided by a dead-ball unsportsmanlike penalty on the Tech defense that wiped out a third down and long.
Tech finally found the scoreboard midway through the third quarter. Bullock completed a pair of passes to Marlion Jackson covering 29 and 13 yards and Jimmy Holiday scored on a 5-yard end around. Buck Buchanan’s extra point made it 14-7.
On the following drive, the Bulldogs marched inside the FIU redzone but stalled as Buchanan was called upon to connect on a 34-yard field goal to make it 14-10.
The Bulldogs had an opportunity to take the lead late in the third quarter, but a completion to Jackson inside FIU territory resulted in a fumble and a turnover – the only one of the night for Tech.
FIU added a fourth quarter field goal to increase the lead to 17-10, and two final offensive possessions by the Bulldogs came up empty as the Panthers won for just the second time in seven tries against Tech.
Tech’s defense recorded eight tackles for loss, including three sacks. Michael Richard led the Bulldogs with a career-high 11 tackles while Jesse Evans, David Blay and Sifa Leota each registered sacks.
Tech returns to action Thursday, Oct. 10 when it hosts Middle Tennessee at Joe Aillet Stadium.
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