RUSTON, La. – Louisiana Tech scored 21 unanswered points in the third quarter to break open a defensive struggle in a 24-0 victory over Southeastern Louisiana University in the football season opener for both teams Saturday night in Joe Aillet Stadium.
 
Southeastern (0-1) out-gained the host Bulldogs (1-0), 273-262, but three turnovers in Louisiana Tech territory were too much for SLU to overcome.
 
Louisiana Tech broke a scoreless tie with a short field goal right before the half, but it was the first 10 minutes of the second half that allowed the Bulldogs to take control of the game.
 
KK Reno led the Southeastern defense with 10 tackles, while Ian Conerly-Goodly chipped in with nine stops. SLU was credited with three sacks on the night, as Rowan Briggs, Joshua Randall and Ahmad Bradley each dropped Louisiana Tech quarterback Trey Kukuk behind the line.
 
Carson Camp (11-for-22, 122 yards, 1 INT) and Kyle Lowe (4-for-8, 23 yards, 1 INT) split time under center for the SLU offense. Luke Besh was the Lions' top receiver, finishing with three catches for 59 yards, while Jaedon Henry paced the SLU rushing attack with eight carries for 31 yards.
 
In his first start with the Bulldogs, Kukuk finished 14-for-19 for 130 yards and a touchdown with Eli Finley (four catches, 59 yards) serving as his top target. Clay Thevenin led the Tech ground attack with six carries for 61 yards and a score.
 
The Louisiana Tech defense finished with four sacks and forced three Lion turnovers. Preseason WAC Defensive Player of the Year Kolbe Fields led SLU with 13 tackles, while Mekhi Mason finished with two sacks.
 
Southeastern picked up several first downs on the opening drive and moved into Bulldog territory, but Jakari Foster ran under a deep Camp pass for an interception at the Louisiana Tech four-yard line.
 
The team's traded punts for the remainder of the opening period. Louisiana Tech had the best scoring opportunity after a 25-yard punt return by Dedrick Latulas set the Bulldogs at the SLU 40-yard line. However, pressure by Randall forced an intentional grounding that led to a three-and-out.
 
Louisiana Tech moved into Southeastern territory on its first drive of the second quarter. On a fourth-and-short inside the SLU 30-yard line, Conerly-Goodly and Khalid Moore stuffed Omni Wiggins to get the ball back for the Lions.
 
Louisiana Tech took over at the 20-yard line with a little over a minute left in the opening half and drove it all the way down to the SLU two-yard line, as Drew Henderson kicked a 19-yard field goal to send the hosts into the break with a 3-0 cushion.
 
Louisiana Tech carried the momentum into the third quarter, driving 58 yards on seven plays for the first touchdown of the game. Kukuk found Wiggins in the flat on a short screen pass and he juked a Lion and raced in from 17 yards out to extend the lead to 10-0 with 12:24 left in the third quarter.
 
After a SLU three-and-out, the Bulldogs struck again. A seven-play, 50-yard scoring march was capped by a two-yard touchdown run by Thevenin to give the Bulldogs a 17-0 advantage with 8:32 left in the third quarter.  
 
Southeastern marched deep into Louisiana Tech territory on the ensuing possession, but Henry was stripped by Amari Butler in the red zone and Kam Franklin scooped up the loose ball and housed it from 80 yards out to put the Bulldogs up, 24-0, with 5:12 left in the third quarter.
 
SLU again drove deep into Louisiana Tech territory on a drive that carried the game into the fourth quarter. However, on the first play of the final period, Lowe had a ball batted at the line and it went right into the hands of Zion Nason to end SLU's scoring threat.
 
Southeastern had one more drive into Tech territory on its final drive of the contest. Camp was sacked by Mason on fourth down to end SLU's last scoring chance.  
 
Saturday's game was the first of two straight road contests for the Lions. Southeastern heads to Murray State next Saturday at 6 p.m. The game can be seen on ESPN+ and 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.