Monday Morning Hype: Louisiana Tech vs Southern Miss
Louisiana Tech (2-1) will close out a run of three home games in four weeks with a Saturday night showdown against Southern Miss (2-1).
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 kicked off Conference USA play in dominant fashion with a 49-14 rout of New Mexico State on Saturday night.
The Bulldogs racked up 575 yards of total offense, led by redshirt sophomore quarterback Blake Baker, who impressed in his first career start. The Cypress, Texas native accounted for 285 total yards and two touchdowns, setting the tone for a high-powered offensive performance.
Defensively, Luke Olson’s unit gave up 14 points and 277 yards in the first half but made key adjustments after the break. The second half was all Bulldogs, as they shut out the Aggies and held them to just 32 total yards.
Southern Miss heads to Ruston riding high after a 38-22 victory over Appalachian State to open Sun Belt play.
The win marked the Golden Eagles’ first against an FBS opponent since defeating UL-Lafayette on November 9, 2023.
Quarterback Braylon Braxton, the reigning Sun Belt Newcomer of the Year, led the charge with 306 total yards and two touchdowns.
On the defensive side, Southern Miss came up big, forcing three turnovers to help secure the statement win.
Week Four X-Factors: Two Questions that Matter
Can Louisiana Tech deliver another standout performance for a second straight week?
When Louisiana Tech takes the field on Saturday, it will have been 1,752 days since the program last strung together back-to-back wins — a drought dating all the way back to 2020.
Against New Mexico State, the Bulldogs were outstanding in all three phases of the game. From start to finish, there wasn’t a single stat that raised concern — it was as complete a performance as Tech has delivered in years.
But the mark of a good team — a true Conference USA contender — is consistency. And that’s exactly what’s at stake Saturday night.
How does the defense plan to limit Braylon Braxton’s impact?
Southern Miss quarterback Braylon Braxton is as dynamic as any signal-caller in the Group of Five. Over his last 14 games—split between Marshall and Southern Miss—the Frisco, Texas native has totaled 3,031 yards, 30 touchdowns, and just 4 interceptions, showcasing his ability to impact the game through the air and on the ground.
Braxton belongs in the same conversation as some of the most talented quarterbacks Louisiana Tech has faced in recent years—names like Garrett Nussmeier (LSU), Kaidon Salter (Liberty), Taylen Green (Arkansas), Austin Reed (WKU), Chandler Morris (UNT), and Preston Stone (SMU).
According to Pro Football Focus, Braxton ranks 9th nationally in Big Time Throws and has been lethal when attacking downfield, throwing 10 touchdowns with zero interceptions over the last two seasons on passes of 20+ yards. He’s not just willing to take deep shots—he’s exceptionally effective when he does.
On the ground, Braxton adds another layer of threat, averaging 44 rushing yards per game and bringing physicality at 230 pounds that makes him tough to bring down.
Containing him will be a top priority for defensive coordinator Luke Olson and his unit. Fortunately for the Bulldogs, Olson is no stranger to the challenge—he coached Braxton during their time together at Tulsa in 2021 and 2022. Given Olson’s track record, there’s every reason to believe his defense will be well-prepared for the task.
What’s Dropping This Week on BleedTechBlue (Week of Sep. 15)
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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