Bulldog defense carries in win over Nicholls

It was a sloppy, soaked, and turnover-filled evening of football at Joe Aillet Stadium to kick off Louisiana Tech’s 2024 season. But in the end, it was a 25-17 Bulldog win, despite five turnovers and disjointed offensive performance from the home squad.

Thanks to a late touchdown, a 6-yard end around to Western Kentucky transfer Jimmy Holiday with just over seven minutes left in the ballgame, along with stifling defense, LA Tech won its 11th straight home opener to start the year 1-0.

But if Tech head coach Sonny Cumbie were to give out a letter grade for his team’s opening performance, he’d be a tough, but fair grader.

“As a team, probably a C-,” Cumbie said of the team’s grade. “I think the defense, they’re going to weight that grade average up very high. Defense got an A. And then probably about an F and a D- for the other two parties. You won the football game, but I think our defense carried us today. They were great on the sideline for the offense and they were encouraging. I think it’s a C- based upon the low grade in our offense and special teams and how they performed.

“I think ball security and throwing and catching the football on offense. If we want to be able to do that, we gotta catch the ball better,” Cumbie added. “And obviously quarterback decision-making, I think the screen pass Blake through he missed high and that’s a play where you miss high that’s what’s going to happen. Jack gets pressured on a screen pass on third and long and really forces him to throw the football faster than he wants to and they get the pick-six.”

The Bulldogs held control for most of the game with a new-look defense living up to its offseason billing – granted against an FCS opponent – with 6 sacks, 8 TFL, a forced fumble, 2 pass breakups while forcing the Colonels nine punts on the night. Nicholls punted every single drive of the second half and finished with just 200 yards of offense.

Linebacker Kolbe Fields led the way with 11 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 1.5 sacks, and a combined safety with David Blay on Nicholls’ first play from scrimmage in the game. North Texas transfer Sifa Leota finished with 1.5 sacks as well to go with 1.5 TFL. Zach Zimos had 7 tackles and half a sack as well. Iowa State transfer Blake Thompson, a safety, forced a fumble and finished with 6 tackles.

“I woke up at five this morning, I prayed, I cried. I thought about my people. And it wasn’t me out there, it was God,” Fields said postgame.

Tech finished with 6 sacks in the win after just 16 total in the 2023 season and held Nicholls to 3-16 on third down. It was the most sacks in a game for the Bulldogs since 2018.

But for as good as Tech’s defense started the year, it wasn’t the same story for the Bulldog offense. And the bad news started late in the first quarter when starting quarterback Jack Turner exited with a knee injury.

The redshirt junior finished the night 4-9 for 51 yards, including a 28-yard touchdown to Solo Lewis and a 25-yard pick-six.

Cumbie didn’t have a definitive answer on his status but is hopeful for his return timeline.

“We’ll look at it tomorrow and get it looked at. It sounds encouraging at least in terms of a gut feel for what we have. We’ll know more after the MRI,” Cumbie said.

Tech had four turnovers in the first half, including two interceptions by Turner and backup quarterback Blake Baker, a muffed punt by Tru Edwards, and a fumble at the 2-yard line by Marquis Crosby.

Nicholls had 108 yards of offense, went 3-9 on third down, but was only down five at halftime. and is only down by 5

With Turner out, Baker, a redshirt sophomore, started strong with three straight completions but finished the half 1-5 with a 14-yard touchdown to Marlion Jackson and an interception

Baker, in his first collegiate action, finished 12-24 for 207 yards, 1 touchdown, and 2 interceptions.

“He’s never played in college. I thought he did a great job,” Cumbie said of Baker.

With Baker behind center, the second quarter was where the execution turned bad with Tech turning the ball over three times. It started good with Blake Thompson forcing a fumble, only for Tech running back Marquis Crosby to fumble at the 2-yard line

Nicholls did nothing with the takeaway, allowing Tru Edwards to return the punt 38 yards to the Nicholls 15. Baker, two plays later threw a score to Jackson.

Nicholls then punted again, but Edwards couldn’t corral the punt the second time and fumbled it away to give the Colonels life to get down the 1-yard line, but they missed an 18-yard field goal

Tech’s ensuing drive after the stand resulted in an interception on Baker which Nicholls converted into a 38-yard field goal.

Both teams came out of halftime with two three and outs on offense. At that point in the contest, Tech’s offense had 10 total drives offensively with 5 punts, 3 turnovers, and 2 scores.

Nicholls tried to threaten late by making it 25-17 on a 27-yard touchdown with 2:17 left from Pat McQuaide to Quincy Brown but Tech’s defense stood tall in the closing two minutes after the Colonels took over with 1:53 left to play down eight.

Tech’s defense forced a turnover on downs to win as Zach Zimos and J’Dan Burnett combined for the sack.

Overall, Tech’s 15 offensive drives resulted in 7 punts, a field goal, 4 turnovers, and 3 touchdowns.

Louisiana Tech will have an off week before returning to action Sept. 14 on the road at No. 24 NC State (1-0).