Jayden Gray (7) and the Tech defense led the Bulldogs to a 14-10 win over UTEP on Tuesday night. (Photo by Josh McDaniel)
Written by Malcolm Butler
On Tuesday night, Jacari Foster demonstrated Louisiana Tech’s next-man mentality.
The little-used third-string safety entered the game with zero tackles all season.
But Foster, who suffered multiple injuries at Tech’s safety, came on early and recorded a game-high 11 tackles, including a game-winning stop on fourth down with less than two minutes left, to help the Bulldogs. They led 14-10. Victory over UTEP at Joe Ilett Stadium.
“I’m so proud of Jacari,” Tech head coach Sonny Cumby said. “We always talk about how 3 becomes 2 and 2 becomes 1. When the number was called, Jakari was ready. ) and when he went down with his ankle (early on), he was down with Isaiah McIlvaine…
“I’m really proud of the way he stepped up. He was prepared for that moment and made the most of it.”
UTEP ended up with two possessions after Amani Givens gave Tech its first lead of the night on a 1-yard TD run with just under seven minutes left in the game.
And in both cases, the Bulldog defense was imposing. On fourth down and a yard and a half near midfield, the Bulldogs defense, led by David Brey and Mekhi Mason, stuffed Jevon Jackson in front of the line for a gain, and Tech took over with 3:43 remaining.
After Tech’s punt, the Miners had one last chance. On fourth down and eight, Kenny Odom caught a pass and made his way toward a first down. But a half-yard short of a first down, Foster came flying in and stopped Odom in his tracks.
Top was the deciding factor in Tech’s victory, and the Bulldogs’ defense once again had an outstanding performance.
“I think some of the credit goes to the defensive coordinator (Jeremiah Johnson),” Camby said. “I think he had a great game plan and was versatile up front.”
UTEP had just 251 yards of total offense in the contest and converted just 1-of-14 on third down. Aside from a 47-yard TD pass in the first quarter, a short pass that resulted in a long score due to a missed tackle, the Miners couldn’t do much offensively.
“Really defensively, we just put our heads down and practiced,” said cornerback Jacob Fields, who finished the game with nine tackles. “Anyone can say whatever they want on the internet, on social media, but at the end of the day, the offense comes to practice ready to push the defense, and the defense comes to practice ready to push the offense. It was coming. So we had to keep our heads down and just keep working.”
The Bulldogs’ offense was unable to capitalize on great field possession early in the game, but they finally found some scoring power midway through the second quarter. The game ended with a 48-yard scoring hookup between Evan Brock and Solo Lewis and one third-down play. Lewis beat defenders inside and caught strikes on fast slants, outrunning Miners defenders.
UTEP took a 10-7 lead in the third quarter on Buzz Flaviano’s 44-yard field goal and had possession following Buck Buchanan’s missed 36-yard field goal.
The Bulldogs continued to trail until the fourth quarter. After a UTEP punt went down at the Tech 3-yard line, the Bulldogs had their most impressive drive of the night.
Brock completed 5 of 6 passes for 93 yards, including completions of 32, 13 and 17 yards to Jimmy Holliday, who was a Tech career starter. He had a high six receptions for 92 yards. The drive ended with a 1-yard run by Givens.
“I think the key is to not get too high and just let it flow,” Holliday said. “Continued next week. Enjoy this one night and play it tomorrow. Watch the movie, learn your mistakes, and be ready for the next movie.”
Bullock completed 22 of 30 passes for 248 yards and one TD.
Tech won despite rushing for only 7 yards on 30 carries.
“There’s a lot of things we could have done better on offense,” Cumby said.
The Bulldogs return to action next Tuesday in Huntsville to take on Sam Houston State University.
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