Monday Morning Hype: Louisiana Tech vs New Mexico State

Louisiana Tech (1-1) kicks off Conference USA play this Saturday night with a home matchup against New Mexico State (2-0).

The game is set for a 6:30 p.m. kickoff at Origin Bank Field at Joe Aillet Stadium. Fans can catch all the action on KXKZ 107.5 FM or stream it live on ESPN+.

Matchup at a Glance

Louisiana Tech battled hard but ultimately came up short in a 23-7 loss to No. 3 LSU on Saturday night at Tiger Stadium.

For the second straight week, the Bulldogs struggled to find a rhythm offensively. Tony Franklin’s offensive unit was limited to just 154 total yards and one touchdown, converting only 3 of 13 third-down attempts.

Despite the offensive challenges, Tech’s defense turned in a gritty performance. Luke Olson’s unit was on the field for more than 36 minutes and faced over 80 plays, yet held a high-powered LSU offense to just 23 points.

Linebacker Mekhi Mason continued his dominant start to the season, racking up 11 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and a sack. Through two games, Mason leads the nation with six tackles for loss.

Discipline proved costly, though, as the Bulldogs were flagged 12 times for a total of 130 yards in the defeat.

New Mexico State moved to 2-0 on the season with a hard-fought 21-14 win over Tulsa on Saturday. The Aggies will look to continue their early-season momentum — and secure their first 3-0 start since 1999 — when they face Louisiana Tech this weekend.

Quarterback Logan Fife played a central role in the victory, accounting for 276 of the Aggies’ 291 total yards. As the offense continues to search for consistency, Fife remains the clear focal point of New Mexico State’s attack.

On the defensive side, the Aggies have been impressive through two games, allowing just 8.5 points per contest — a mark that ranks among the best in the country early in the season.

Week Three X-Factors: Two Questions that Matter

Will it be Trey Kukuk or Blake Baker under center for Louisiana Tech against New Mexico State?

Yes, for the fourth straight season, there’s a quarterback controversy brewing in Ruston. This time, the conversation centers around Trey Kukuk and Blake Baker — though don’t count out Evan Bullock, who could find himself in the mix before long.

Kukuk got the start against LSU, completing 12 of 18 passes (67%) for just 50 yards. Baker took over in the fourth quarter and provided a spark, connecting on a 33-yard touchdown pass to Devin Gandy for Tech’s only score of the game. He finished 3 of 8 for 46 yards and a touchdown.

Both quarterbacks bring some mobility to the position, but neither has fully separated himself heading into this week’s matchup.

So, who will offensive coordinator Tony Franklin trust to lead the Bulldogs’ first drive on Saturday? That remains to be seen — but one thing is certain: Louisiana Tech needs answers on offense, and fast.

Can the Tech defense continue to play at this high of a level?

Let’s be honest — Luke Olson’s defense hasn’t had much margin for error through the first two weeks. But so far, it hasn’t mattered.

Two games in, one thing is clear: this defense is the real deal.

Still, if Louisiana Tech’s offensive struggles persist, it’s fair to wonder how long the defense can keep holding the line before the dam finally breaks.

Head coach Sonny Cumbie preaches “complementary football” every week — offense, defense, special teams, and yes, even energy from the sideline. But through two games, that complete, four-phase effort hasn’t consistently shown up.

With Conference USA play now underway, the question becomes: can this dominant defense carry the Bulldogs to where they want to go?

What’s Dropping This Week on BleedTechBlue (Week of Sep. 8)

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
• Score Predictions
• Inside Tech Football on SportsTalk 97.7 FM at 6 PM

Friday

• Three Keys to Victory
• Depth Chart Look-In
• 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

• Snap Count Totals
• Player Grades – How’d the Dawgs perform?
• Who Impressed, Who Struggled?

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