Monday Morning Hype: Louisiana Tech vs Missouri State

Louisiana Tech (6–5, 4–3) hits the road for its 2025 regular-season finale on Saturday afternoon, visiting Missouri State (7–4, 5–2).

Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. on ESPN+, with radio coverage available on KXKZ 107.5 FM.

Matchup at a Glance

Louisiana Tech stormed back from a 28–7 deficit in the third quarter to claim a dramatic 34–28 overtime victory over Liberty on Saturday afternoon.

The win—Tech’s sixth of the season—secured the program’s first bowl eligibility since 2019.

Trey Kukuk and Andrew Burnette powered the offense, combining for 236 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 36 carries.

On the defensive side, the Bulldogs were fueled by a ball-hawking secondary, as Jakari Foster (2), Michael Richard, and Jacob Fields teamed up for four second-half interceptions, sparking the comeback and sealing the memorable win.

Missouri State suffered just its second loss to a Group of Five opponent this season, falling 41–34 at Kennesaw State on Saturday.

Quarterback Jacob Clark threw for 344 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions, while Shomari Lawrence powered the ground game with 173 rushing yards and a touchdown.

Defensively, the 41 points allowed marked the Bears’ highest total surrendered since their season opener at USC, when they gave up 73 to the Trojans.

Despite the setback, Ryan Beard’s squad has held opponents under 28 points in all but two games this season, underscoring the consistency of the Bears’ defense.

Week Twelve X-Factors: Two Questions that Matter

Can Louisiana Tech Dominate on the Ground Again?

Louisiana Tech’s game plan against Liberty was no secret last Saturday: run the football—and keep running it. Everyone inside Joe Aillet Stadium knew what was coming.

It still didn’t matter.

The Bulldogs controlled the line of scrimmage from start to finish, piling up 319 rushing yards on 54 attempts and powering their way to a dramatic win.

But now the film is out, and Missouri State will be prepared. The Bears enter the matchup after holding Kennesaw State to just 2.8 yards per carry last week, showcasing a run defense capable of adjusting and tightening up quickly.

Replicating that same level of dominance on the ground won’t be easy. For Tech, the challenge will be to elevate its physicality up front and find new ways to create running lanes against a defense that knows what’s coming.

Will Louisiana Tech Secure Win No. 7—and Its Bowl Future?

Reaching six wins is a milestone worth celebrating. For Louisiana Tech, it marks the program’s first bowl-eligible season since 2019. But the job isn’t done.

Six wins make a team eligible for a bowl, but they don’t guarantee an invitation. This year, there are 80 total bowl slots, and 72 teams have already reached six wins. Three matchups this week feature two five-win teams, ensuring at least 75 will get to six. Beyond that, 15 more teams will be playing for bowl eligibility on Saturday.

In short: the field is crowded.

Tech can’t afford to leave its postseason fate to chance. A seventh win would remove all doubt and all but lock in a bowl berth come December.

The opportunity is right in front of them. Now it’s about finishing the job.

What’s Dropping This Week on BleedTechBlue (Week of Nov. 23)

Monday

Monday Morning Hype – Kick off your week with energy!

Tuesday

Stat Attack
Press conference news & notes
BTB Radio – Tune in for analysis, updates & special guests!

Wednesday

Scout the Opposing Quarterback – Know the enemy.
BC joins SportsTalk 97.7 FM for his weekly radio hit — catch him at 7:15 AM!

Thursday

Statistical Comparison
Top Players Offensively & Defensively for the Bears
Score Predictions

Friday

Three Keys to Victory
Friday Final Word – Wrapping it all up before kickoff

Saturday – GAME DAY!

GAME DAY CENTRAL
Game Thread – Live updates & fan chatter.
BleedTechBlue Postgame Call-in Show
Presented by Impact Healthcare Solutions on KXKZ 107.5 FM

Sunday