Game 1 | Southeastern (0-0) at Louisiana Tech (0-0)
Aug. 30, 2025 | 6:30 p.m. | Joe Ailett Stadium (28,562) | Ruston, La.
Series History: Tech leads, 28-7-2
Last Meeting: Louisiana Tech 45, Southeastern 42 (Sept. 11, 2021 | Ruston, La.)
Television: ESPN+
            Announcers: Malcolm Butler, Luke McCown and Madison Kaufman
Radio: Kajun 107.1 FM, The Highway 104.7 FM, The Boss 97.7 FM/WFPR 1400 AM
            Announcers: Mark Willoughby, Robbie Mahfouz, Allen Waddell and Robbie Rhodes
 
HAMMOND, La. – The Southeastern Louisiana University football team kicks off the 2025 season with a 6:30 p.m. contest at Louisiana Tech Saturday in Joe Ailett Stadium.
 
Southeastern, which was picked third in the SLC preseason poll, returns 47 letterwinners and 16 starters from last season's squad. The Lions finished second in the Southland and were one of the last teams out of the FCS playoff field, shaking off a 1-4 start to finish 7-5 overall and 6-1 in Southland Conference play.
 
SLU's offense will have a new quarterback under center, as 2024 starter Eli Sawyer closed out his collegiate career last fall. Transfers Carson Camp (Sacramento State) and Kyle Lowe (Georgia State) are the top candidates to lead the offense.
 
The top returners on offense for the Lions include receiver Jaylon Domingeaux (38 catches, 459 yards, 1 TD) and tight end Cade Collier (17-155-2 TD). A veteran offensive line is anchored by returning starters Holden Kareokowsky, Javin Turner and Corin Boudreaux.
 
The Lion defense features returning All-Southland Conference players at all three levels in defensive lineman Kaleb Proctor (49 tackles, 6 TFL), linebacker KK Reno (94 tackles) and Khamron Ford (72 tackles). SLU also brings back 2023 leading tackler and first team All-SLC selection Ian Conerly-Goodly (109 tackles), who spent the 2024 campaign at Troy.
 
2024 All-SLC kick returner Brandon Hayes (26.7 yards per return) and punter Alex Mahler (45.6 punting average) are both back for Southeastern on special teams. Newcomers Guillermo Garcia Rodriguez and Drew Talley are in the midst of a battle for the starting kicking position.
 
Louisiana Tech is coming off a 5-8 season in 2024 that saw the Bulldogs advance to the Independence Bowl.
 
2024 All-Conference USA Freshman team selection Evan Bullock returns to lead the Bulldog offense. After taking over as the starter early in the season, Bullock threw for 2,101 yards and 14 touchdowns versus just three interceptions in 2024. Bullock and Trey Kukuk have competed for the starting quarterback job throughout the preseason.
 
The Tech defense is led by C-USA Preseason Defensive Player of the Year Kolbe Fields. The senior linebacker finished with 71 tackles and nine tackles for loss last fall on the way to earning second team all-conference recognition.
 
Southeastern will be looking to buck several trends when it travels down to Ruston. The Lions are 7-28-2 overall against their in-state foes, as Louisiana Tech has won the last nine meetings between the two schools, most recently defeating SLU, 45-42, in a wild shootout in 2021.
 
Southeastern is 42-31-2 all-time in season openers, but has lost its last three and is 3-7 in its last 10 opening games of the season. Since the program has returned from an 18-year absence in 2003, SLU is 0-32 versus FBS opponents.
 
The Lions will open the season with two straight road contests. Southeastern heads to Murray State next Saturday at 6 p.m. The game will be heard in the Hammond area on Kajun 107.1 FM, The Highway 104.7 FM and The Boss 97.7 FM/WFPR 1400 AM.
 
TICKETS
For ticket information, contact the Southeastern Athletics Ticket Office at (985) 549-5466 or visit www.LionSports.net. Southeastern will continue offering mobile ticketing as the primary source for securing tickets. All tickets will be available via e-mail or text message in a PDF format for fans to download on their phone or print at home. Tickets can also be downloaded to Apple Wallet.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
For more information on Southeastern Football, follow @LionUpFootball and @Coach_Scelfo on X, like /SLUathletics on Facebook and follow lionupfootball on Instagram.
 
TOUCHDOWN CLUB/S CLUB
Fans interested in becoming active supporters of the football program are encouraged to join the Touchdown Club. Lion football alums are encouraged to join the exclusive S Club, which is restricted to Southeastern athletic letter winners.
 
All membership fees and donations to both the Touchdown Club and S Club (football) are available for the exclusive use of the Southeastern football program. Membership information is available by contacting the Lion Athletics Association at laa@southeastern.edu or (985) 549-5091 or visiting www.LionUp.com.
 
CLEAR BAG POLICY
Southeastern Athletics observes a clear bag policy for all ticketed events. For more information on the clear bag policy, visit www.LionSports.net/clear.