Late comeback moves Louisiana Tech 1-0 in Week 0 win vs. FIU

Often times the stat sheet will not reflect if a team has played to their potential and/or if they got a victory. Saturday in Ruston, LA was an example of the Bulldogs from Louisiana Tech leading every category on the stat sheet. Louisiana effectively converted 27 first downs to FIU’s 8, Total yards advantage went to Louisiana Tech 450 total yards to FIU’s 182. FIU got off to an early lead 14 to 0 in the first quarter with two rushing touchdowns from running back Shomari Lawrence and Antonio Patterson. Bulldogs understood a Week 0 game is all about scoring in the red zone.

Louisiana Tech completed a 40-yard field goal to cut the lead 14 to 3 early in the 2nd quarter, with FIU countering a 45-yard field goal by Chase Gabriel. LA Tech was not to be denied at the end of the 2nd quarter when quarterback Hank Bachmeier completed a 64-yard touchdown pass to Smoke Harris in addition to a 32-yard field goal at the end of the half to inch their way closer trailing 13 to 17 at the end of first half. The second half belonged to Louisiana Tech. The third quarter did not result in any scoring plays from either school.

The Bulldogs opened the 4th quarter with a 46-yard field goal to make the score 17 to 16, and continued to blank FIU defensively holding them to only 17 points for the total of the game. Louisiana Tech finally took the lead to never look back with 1:01 remaining in the game by a 30-yard touchdown run by Jacob Fields to win the game 22 to 17. Louisiana Tech heads to Dallas next week to face SMU, and FIU will host Maine University in Miami, FL.

Conference play is rare to see during opening weekend let alone Week 0 of the NCAA season. Louisiana Tech gets a win in Conference USA and more importantly plays 4 non-conference games before traveling to UTEP for their next Conference USA game on September 29th. FIU also will play four non-conference opponents and will travel to New Mexico State for a Conference USA matchup on October 4th.