The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs seek their fifth consecutive victory Saturday against South Alabama in Mobile, Ala.
Kickoff is 2 p.m. at Hancock Whitney Stadium (ESPN+).
Louisiana Tech (5-2, 3-0 Sun Belt) is coming off consecutive shutout victories for the first time since 1959. The Bulldogs defeated Old Dominion 26-0 last Saturday and ULM 24-0 Oct. 17.
South Alabama (4-3, 2-1) is coming off a 20-13 conference loss to Marshall on the road. The Jaguars’ other losses were to Tulane 28-24 and Kentucky 45-31.
ULM is the teams’ only common opponent. The Jaguars defeated the Warhawks 52-24 on Oct. 3
Louisiana Tech is the only Sun Belt team without a conference loss. The Bulldogs are on top of the West Division standings, one game ahead of South Alabama.
During his weekly press conference Monday, Louisiana Tech Head Coach Sonny Cumbie said his players are no doubt aware of the conference standings but they know the Bulldogs have five one-game seasons left.
Cumbie said he and his staff challenged the team coming into the October stretch of the season.
“Really proud of how they’ve handled this month, how they’ve played,”
he said.
But The Bulldogs entered the month 1-2 with losses against LSU and Baylor.
Cumbie called the two straight shutouts “pretty remarkable.” But he also said there’s room for improvement.
“We’ve got to do a better job of getting off the field on third downs,” he said.
Offensively, Cumbie is looking for more production from the run game.
That could get a boost with the return of Dylone Brooks. Cumbie said Brooks should be ready to play Saturday. He was injured against Louisiana on Oct. 10 and has missed the last two games.
Cumbie said South Alabama will provide another challenge.
The Jaguars rank third in the conference in total offense at 421.9 yards per game and 10th in defense at 413.6.
South Alabama ranks No. 1 in the conference in rushing yards per game at 214.3. Keenan Phillips and PJ Martin rank third and fourth, respectively, at 73.4 and 67.1.
Jared Hollins has completed 68-of-125 passes for 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns with three interceptions. His average of 135.5 yards per game is 12th in the conference.
Brendan Jenkins has 25 catches for 430 yards. His average of 61.4 yards per game is fifth.
Louisiana Tech ranks sixth in the Sun Belt in total offense at 399.3 yards per game and second in defense at 323.4.
Blake Baker has completed 96-of-133 passes for 1,160 yards and 10 touchdown with one interception. He ranks seventh in the conference at 168.8 yards per game.
Jalen Mickens ranks first in receiving yards per game at 81.3 on 40 catches. Tight end Eli Finley is fourth at 66.0 on 39 catches.
Andrew Burnette leads the Bulldogs in rushing with 349 yards on 85 carries. He ranks 14th in the conference at 49.9 yards per game.
Alonzo Jackson Jr. is first in the conference in tackles for loss with12.5 and second in sacks with 6.5. Jadon Mayfield is fourth in tackles for loss with eight and Kolbe Fields is seventh with 7.5.