By JJ Marshall

jjm023@latech.edu

 

After an impressive start against undefeated Big XII Texas A&M Saturday, the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs surrendered 35 unanswered points en route to a 45-14 loss in front of 68,563 fans at Kyle Field.

“Honestly, I don’t know how this game got away from us,” Tech head coach Jack Bicknell said. “I felt like we played extremely well defensively in the first half, and at halftime I told the guys that it was our game to have.”

The Bulldogs (1-2) had the lead after one quarter thanks to a Patrick Jackson 24-yard touchdown run, but the Aggies rallied in the second quarter for two touchdowns to go into  the half up 14-7.

Tech’s defense only allowed 107 yards in the first half, and looked to be in control of the Aggie offense despite the seven-point deficit at halftime.

“Texas A&M hit us with that long play-action pass to start the third quarter,” Bicknell said, “And then we made some bad penalties that hurt and it just got away. I honestly don’t know how.”

Even though the Bulldogs found themselves down 28-7 midway through the third quarter, they gathered themselves and appeared to be on a comeback when Zac Champion found freshman tight end Dennis Morris with a 53-yard pass that put Tech inside the Aggie’s 5-yard line.

The Bulldog’s couldn’t convert the first two attempts to score, and on third down Champion fumbled the snap and A&M recovered.

The Aggies marched 99 yards down the field from there, scoring in six plays to take a 35-7 lead and essentially put the game away.

Champion then found sophomore receiver Josh Wheeler on a 20-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter, but A&M running back Jamie McCoy scored on the last play of the game and pushed the final score to 45-14.

The freshmen Bulldog’s stepped up against the Aggies, as Jackson rushed for 84 yards and one touchdown, and Dennis Morris had his first career 100-yard receiving game.

Champion was 13-31 for 229 yards, one touchdown, and did not throw an interception for the second straight game.

Tech will try to bounce back Saturday it travels to South Carolina to face the No. 18 Clemson Tigers of the ACC at 6 p.m.