Until Saturday, Louisiana Tech had never won back-to-back games under head coach Sonny Cumbie.
The last time the Bulldogs won two games in a row was in 2020 when they defeated UAB and North Texas during the Covid-shortened season. Cumbie’s first season as head coach was in 2022.
Coming off a conference win over New Mexico State, the Bulldogs hosted Southern Miss on Saturday in the first meeting between the schools since 2021. The Bulldogs erupted for 30 first-half points and didn’t need to score again as they held on for a 30-20 victory to improve to 3-1 on the year and 3-0 at home. They also started 3-1 in 2020.
Those three wins already match the Bulldogs’ win total in Cumbie’s first two years as head coach when they went 3-9 in both seasons. Last year, LA Tech had a slight improvement, finishing with a 5-7 regular season record.
So far, it looks like LA Tech has made an even bigger leap in 2025 and might be the team to beat in Conference USA.
The Bulldogs are currently the second-favorite to win the conference at +300, only trailing Western Kentucky, who is +200. LA Tech will host WKU on Oct. 21 in what could be the most important regular season CUSA game to that point.
LA Tech should be well rested for that contest, as it will have only played one game in a 23-day span once that Tuesday rolls around. Following this weekend’s tilt against UTEP, the Bulldogs have a bye, then host Kennesaw State on Oct. 9.
This means LA Tech’s defense should be prepared for a potent WKU offense. Even though they gave up 514 total yards to USM, the Bulldogs’ defense has been the strength of the team.
They’re surrendering just 14.3 points per game and have only given up six touchdowns through four games. The Bulldogs’ three defensive touchdowns are also the most in the country — a scoop-and-score from Jacob Bradford against New Mexico State, a 48-yard pick-six from Kolbe Fields against USM, and an 80-yard fumble return by Kam Franklin against Southeastern Louisiana.
Redshirt junior linebacker Mekhi Mason is having a breakout season and already has eight tackles for loss, which is the most in the FBS. His three sacks are the most in the conference while Fields ranks second in the league with 38 total tackles.
The secondary has also been playing well this season. It is led by Jhamal Shelby Jr., who is tied for first in the country with seven pass breakups. The defense already has six interceptions and two fumble recoveries.
Things seem to be in LA Tech’s favor so far this season, which has to be refreshing after it seemed like everything was going against the Bulldogs in 2024. Five of their seven regular season losses came by one possession and that included three overtime losses.
I think retaining some of the players that went through last year’s struggles was key for LA Tech. Fields and Shelby are in that group, along with players like quarterback Blake Baker and tight end Eli Finley.
Baker played a role in LA Tech’s offense early last year but suffered a collarbone injury in Week 3. Now, he’s started the last two games and has 467 passing yards, 145 rushing yards, and four total touchdowns. Finley is coming off a game where he had six receptions for 155 yards and is already starting to close in on last year’s receiving yards total. Numbers aside, though, the win was most important.
Despite dominating CUSA for half a decade under Skip Holtz, the Bulldogs never claimed a CUSA crown, losing in the title game in 2014 and 2016.
Could that elusive championship come this season?
Time will tell, but the Bulldogs have the potential and a favorable schedule to at least make another CUSA championship game appearance.
Louisiana Tech-UTEP Prediction
I predict LA Tech will pick up the road conference win against UTEP and cover the 3.5-point spread.
I imagine the 1-3 Miners are eager for a win, but I think LA Tech’s defense will have another strong showing this week.
UTEP lost 31-25 to ULM last week.
