Stat Attack - Western Kentucky
Still reeling from the sting of a blowout loss to Kennesaw State, Louisiana Tech faces a crucial test on Tuesday against Western Kentucky in a game that could either spark a strong finish or signal a slide toward a disappointing end to the season.
For Louisiana Tech to secure its fifth win of the season, the offense needs to deliver the kind of execution it has only shown in flashes this season. Simply put, they need to put points on the board.
In three of Louisiana Tech’s four wins this season, the Bulldogs have completed more than 65% of their passes. When Tech gets the ball out quickly and keeps the chains moving with short, high-percentage throws complemented by a steady run game, the offense stays on schedule – just like we saw on that opening drive against Kennesaw State.
When those passes aren’t completed, the rest of the Kennesaw State game happens.
So it’s unfortunate that this week, the Bulldogs face a Western Kentucky defense that has quietly been one of the nation’s toughest against the pass. The Hilltoppers rank 12th nationally in opponent completion percentage, smothering the short throws and disrupting rhythm routes Tech will need to find success:
So if Tech can’t find consistency through the air, the offense will need another option.
Luckily, Louisiana Tech has shown it can have offensive success (and more importantly, win!) without leaning too heavily on the passing game. In a 49-14 win over New Mexico State, Blake Baker and Trey Kukuk combined for just 11 completions on 20 attempts – a modest 55% completion percentage, far short of the 65%+ seen in Tech’s other victories.
But the ground game picked up the slack.
Between the QBs and a deep running back room, Tech pounded out 353 rushing yards on 65 carries, averaging 5.4 yards per attempt. Baker and Kukuk alone chipped in 143 yards on just 19 runs.
That kind of performance might be the key to unlocking a win this weekend. Especially because WKU’s run defense has struggled all season:
In every single FBS matchup this year, the Hilltoppers have allowed at least 5 yards per carry.
And the vulnerability goes beyond just consistency – WKU is also prone to giving up chunk plays on the ground:
That’s a trend Tech must exploit. If the Bulldogs’ backs can find daylight early, it will take pressure off the passing game, open up play-action later in the game, and allow the Tech defense to rest.
Louisiana Tech doesn’t have to be perfect through the air to win. But they do need to get the run game rolling early and often. Against a WKU defense that struggles against the rush and surrenders explosive plays, the Bulldogs’ best chance may come from the backfield.
Tech needs to dust off the blueprint from the New Mexico State win. And run it back.
