by Malcolm Butler
Jakari Foster proved the next-man-up mentality for Louisiana Tech Tuesday night.
The little used third string safety came into the game with zero tackles on the season.
However, after multiple injuries to Tech safeties, Foster was thrown into action early and recorded a game-high 11 tackles, including a win-sealing stop on fourth down with less than two minutes to play, to lead the Bulldogs to a 14-10 win over UTEP at Joe Aillet Stadium.
“I am just very proud of Jakari,” said Tech head coach Sonny Cumbie. “We talk all the time about how three’s becomes two’s and two’s become one’s. Jakari was ready when his number was called. We were down with (Michael Richard) down and Isaiah McIlvane when down (early) with the ankle …
“I am just really proud of the way he stepped up. He was prepared for his moment and he made the most of it.”
After Amani Givens gave Tech its first lead of the night on a 1-yard TD run with just under seven minutes to play in the game, UTEP had two final possessions.
And both times the Bulldog defense stood tall. On a fourth-down and a half of a yard close to midfield, the Bulldogs defense led by David Blay and Mekhi Mason stuffed Jevon Jackson short of the line to gain as Tech took over with 3:43 to play.
Following a punt by Tech, the Miners had one last opportunity. On fourth down and eight, Kenny Odom caught a pass and weaved his way towards the first down. However, Foster came flying in to stop Odom in his tracks, a half yard short of the first down.
The top sealed the win for Tech and a stellar effort once again by the Bulldogs defense.
“I think part of the credit goes to (Jeremiah Johnson), the defensive coordinator,” said Cumbie. “I think he had a great game plan, did things for multiplicity in terms of fronts.”
UTEP managed just 251 total yards of offense and converted just 1-of-14 third downs in the contest. Outside of a 47-yard TD pass in the first quarter that came on a short pass that turned into a long score following a missed tackle, the Miners were unable to do much offensively.
“Really on the defensive side, we just put our head down and grinded,” said cornerback Jacob Fields, who ended the game with nine tackles. “Anybody can say whatever they wanted to on the internet, on social media, whatever it was, but at the end of the day, offense came to practice ready to go to push the defense, defense came to practice ready to push the offense. So, we just needed to keep our head down and just keep working.”
After failing to capitalize on great field possession early in the game, the Bulldogs offense finally mounted a scoring drive midway through the second quarter. It was capped by a 48-yard scoring hookup between Evan Bullock and Solo Lewis that came on a third down and one play. Lewis beat the defender to the inside, caught a strike on the quick slant, and outraced the Miners defenders.
UTEP grabbed a 10-7 lead in the third quarter on a 44-yard field goal by Buzz Flabiano, coming on the possession following a missed 36-yard field goal attempt by Buck Buchanan.
The Bulldogs continued to trail until the fourth quarter. Following a UTEP punt that was downed on the Tech three-yard line, the Bulldogs mounted their most impressive drive of the night.
Bullock completed 5-of-6 passes for 93 yards, including completions of 32, 13 and 17 yards to Jimmy Holiday who finished with a Tech career-high of six receptions for 92 yards. The drive was capped by a one-yard run by Givens.
“I think the main thing is not letting the highs get too high and just like flushing it,” said Holiday. “We’re on to next week. Enjoy this for the night, and tomorrow, flush it. Watch the film, study the mistakes, get ready for the next one.”
Bullock completed 22-of-30 passes for 248 yards and one TD.
Tech won despite just seven yards rushing on 30 carries.
“There’s a lot of things on offense that we’d like to have done better,” said Cumbie.
The Bulldogs return to action next Tuesday when they travel to face Sam Houston State in Huntsville.
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