RUSTON, La. – In front of a raucous home crowd, the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs delivered a historic performance Saturday night, crushing Northwestern State 80‑6 at Origin Bank Field. The 80 points represent the most the Bulldogs have ever scored as a Division I program, while the 74‑point margin is the largest season‑opening victory against an FCS or FBS opponent in school history.
The Bulldogs’ offense was unstoppable, finding the end zone on each of their first 11 drives – a first for the program. They piled up 63 points in the first half, the most ever recorded in a single half for Tech. Quarterback Blake Baker led the charge, completing 10 of 14 passes for 232 yards and three touchdowns. Freshman receiver Trey Kukuk was perfect on four catches for 45 yards and two scores, and native Ruston quarterback Joshua Brantley threw a 16‑yard trick‑play touchdown to Talyn Shettron.
Big plays and standout performers
Senior wide receiver Jalen Mickens made a splash with three receptions for 133 yards, including a 75‑yard touchdown on the first offensive play of the season. Eli Finley added four catches for 52 yards and a score, while Shettron contributed two touchdowns, one on a 37‑yard rush.
The ground game helped too, with Dylone Brooks rushing for 48 yards and a touchdown, and both Jaden Miller and Sergio Snider scoring their first collegiate rushing touchdowns in Bulldog colors.
Dominant defense and special teams
Louisiana Tech’s defense limited Northwestern State to just 129 total yards, including a paltry 86 rushing yards on 45 attempts (1.9 yards per carry) and 13 tackles for loss. The 129‑yard total is the fewest allowed by the Bulldogs since they gave up 142 yards to New Mexico State in 2009.
Special‑teams star Dedrick Latulas shone with 107 all‑purpose yards and a 58‑yard punt return for a touchdown – the first such return since November 2023. He also caught a touchdown pass from Kukuk in the second half.
Looking ahead
Buoyed by the dominant win, the Bulldogs will travel to Baton Rouge next week to face LSU at Tiger Stadium on September 12, with kickoff set for 6:30 p.m. CT on the SEC Network+.
Head Coach Sonny Cumbie praised his team’s preparation and execution, noting the hard work of the players and staff that made the historic start possible.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
