Bulldogs host WKU in battle of C-USA contenders

Before the year began, it was easy to circle Oct. 5 on Louisiana Tech’s schedule as an opportunity.

The Bulldogs, coming off an offseason built on optimism and a freshfaced roster looked to have a chance to set itself up as a force in the Conference USA title race. Meanwhile, the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers returned its starting quarterback and a bevy of all-conference players and was tabbed as the preseason conference favorite by the league’s coaches.

Five weeks in, preseason projections have proved correct as Tech (3-3, 2-0 C-USA) and WKU (3-2, 1-0 C-USA) meet at Joe Aillet Stadium on Thursday – each with an opportunity at hand to make a statement in C-USA.

For veteran defensive lineman Deshon Hall, Thursday is the start of a crucial stretch for the Bulldogs if they want to be the team they expected to before the year began.

“We’ve been talking about it,” Hall said. “For one, you gotta defend your home turf, and two is we’re playing for something. It’s a very serious atmosphere round here right now and it’s all about getting the work done. There is no more play time. Every game matters and this is one is the most important because it’s the one we have right now.”

WKU will test Hall and his defensive comrades with one of the top offenses in the league with the No. 2 scoring offense (31.6 points per game), No. 1 passing offense (286 yards per game) – with a C-USA best 12 passing scores – in the conference. The Hilltoppers’ explosive passing game has had time to develop its plays as well, allowing quarterback Austin Reed to be sacked just three times this season.

Reed, the Preseason C-USA Offensive Player of the Year, leads CUSA with 1,368 yards, 11 touchdowns and two interceptions. He led the nation in passing yards ( 4,744) in 2022 and is threating to do the same again.

However, he’ll have his work cut for him facing a Tech pass defense that is one of the best in the country as well.

The Bulldogs rank 6th in the FBS in passing yards allowed per game ( 152 yards per game) – trailing the likes of Ohio State, Notre Dame, Florida, Marshal, and Penn State.

Opposing quarterbacks have completed only 48.8% of their passes against Tech at 5.49 yards per attempt.

But this game won’t be played on paper, and Tech head coach Sonny Cumbie said the Bulldogs have to be prepared to face WKU’s offense head on and embrace the opportunity.

“I think they’re aware of it and we talk about it,” Cumbie said of his team. “If you look at the standpoint of our next game being on Tuesday, we have the opportunity to get to 4-0 in our conference over this next week. And that’s why its important because we’re 2-0 in conference and we look forward to the challenge of trying to get to 3-0. Western Kentucky has done a phenomenal job in Conference USA for a long time. Very talented team. They have the preseason players of the year on offense and defense in Austin Reed and JaQues Evans, and they live up to it.”

Individually, Evans has lived up to the billing with a team-leading 28 tackles and team-best two fumble recoveries. However, his teammates have done him no favors.

The Hilltoppers have the worst total defense in C-USA, allowing 472.8 yards per game to go with the worst pass defense in the league at 267.6 yards per game.

But for as much yardage as WKU has given up, its playmakers have taken the ball away from opponents at a high rate.

WKU leads the country with 14 forced takeaways, including eight fumble recoveries – parlaying last year’s success of leading the country with 32 takeaways.

Tech running back Tyre Shelton said the Bulldogs have to treat the ball like a hungry dog and his bone – no one else can have it.

“As Coach Teddy (Veal) says, ‘you gotta protect what you love’, and we all love football so you gotta protect the ball,” Shelton said. “With them leading the country in takeaways that’s a big emphasis this week. We know how explosive their offense can be so you can’t give them any extra possessions.”

Shelton, who’s averaging 106 yards in his three games, might be in for another big outing facing WKU’s rush defense that’s allowing 205.2 yards per game.

For as big as Thursday’s meeting with WKU is, Tech will have to turn the page quickly with its next game coming on Tuesday, Oct. 10 at Middle Tennessee to keep up with the new C-USA TV partnership and broadcast schedule.

Hall said he doesn’t mind. In fact, the more games he can play in the better.

“It’s a different tempo on us but with Coach Scholz and Coach Cumbie working together we got a pretty solid gameplan as to how we get film and scheme together. I actually enjoy this quick turnaround because at the end of the day, we’re here to play games. Practice is not what we’re here for. We’re here to play the games. So, if you want to bring us another game quick we’re going to be ready to win another game quick.”

Tech faces WKU Thursday at Joe Aillet Stadium with kickoff at 7 p.m. The game will be broadcast on ESPNU.