Louisiana Tech Hosts Southern Miss With Sun Belt West Title in Reach

Head coach Sonny Cumbie said the team's goals are now in sight. "One of the things that we wanted to accomplish this year was to host the Sun Belt Championship Game and certainly win the West," he said. "And now those things are like the light at the end of the tunnel."

The defense has driven the streak. Tech has not allowed a second-half point in its last four games, a stretch of 131 minutes going back to the October 10 win over Louisiana. Linebacker Alonzo Jackson Jr., the reigning Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Week, has 15.5 tackles for loss and nine sacks this season.

The Bulldogs forced five turnovers at Troy. They have recorded at least one takeaway in 12 consecutive games.

Quarterback and receivers

Quarterback Blake Baker has thrown for 1,144 yards in conference play, completing 76.5% of his passes with no interceptions. Across the full season he has 1,504 passing yards, 14 touchdown passes and one interception, which came in the 45-14 loss to LSU. Receiver Marcus Calwise Jr. coming off a career-best nine catches for 137 yards and a touchdown against Troy.

Golden Eagles search for answers

Southern Miss, in first-year head coach Blake Anderson's debut season, lost 54-23 at James Madison last Thursday. The Golden Eagles trailed only 16-14 at halftime before the Dukes outscored them 38-9 in the second half. Southern Miss must win its last three games to become bowl eligible.

Running back Steven Robinson leads the offense with 782 yards and 10 touchdowns. Receiver Mario Sanders has 50 catches for 698 yards and six scores. Quarterback John White was due to make his second career start after throwing for 266 yards against James Madison.

Southern Miss leads the all-time series 36-18, though Louisiana Tech won last year's meeting 30-20 in Ruston. Saturday was the teams' first meeting as conference opponents since 2021.