We continue our series of an early look ahead to the teams on Liberty’s 2025 schedule. We will give a quick preview of all 12 teams that stand in the Flames’ way of another bowl trip and potentially a second CUSA championship as third-year head coach Jamey Chadwell prepares his team for the upcoming season.
Today, we look at the Flames’ last regular season road trip of the season when Liberty heads to Louisiana Tech.
LOUISIANA TECH
• When: Saturday, Nov. 22 at Joe Aillet Stadium in Ruston, Louisiana (3 p.m. ESPN Platform TBD)
• Last year’s record: 5-8, 4-4 CUSA (5th)
• Coach: Sonny Cumbie, fourth year at Louisiana Tech
• 2025 SP+ ranking: 109
• Series History: Liberty leads, 1-0
Last Meeting: Nov. 4, 2023: Liberty 56, Louisiana Tech 30
Liberty clinched its home field spot in the 2023 CUSA Championship Game with the win over the Bulldogs in early November 2023. The Flames finished the game with 602 total offensive yards and nearly doubled up Louisiana Tech who finished with 388. Quinton Cooley had 179 yards and two touchdowns on 23 carries. Kaidon Salter completed 16 passes for 297 yards and four touchdowns, going to four different receivers.
Program History:
National Championships: 0
Conference Championships: 2
Bowl Record: 8-5-1
Last Bowl Appearance: 2024: L, 27-6 vs Army in the Independence Bowl
Perhaps entering their final year in CUSA as they prepare to move to the Sun Belt, Louisiana Tech hopes to go out on a high note. The Bulldogs haven’t seen much success under Sonny Cumbie, but did find their way to 5 wins a season ago and got into the Independence Bowl after Marshall backed out due to not having enough players. LA Tech had three overtime losses last year, including one to Conference USA champ Jacksonville State with two other one score losses in conference play. The Bulldogs won their final two CUSA games, including one over CUSA runner-up Western Kentucky.
This year, some analysts have Louisiana Tech competing for the CUSA title, banking on improvement in one score games. They also get expected contenders Liberty and Western Kentucky at home.
Evan Bullock is back at quarterback after splitting some time there last season. In 12 games played as a redshirt-freshman last fall, he completed nearly 66% of his 301 passes for 2,101 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions. Blake Baker, who played in three games last season, and JUCO transfer Trey Kukuk provide depth and competition at the position.
Louisiana Tech has a strong running back room led by Omiri Wiggins and Amani Givens. Those two led the Bulldogs with 527 and 319 rushing yards, respectively, a year ago.
Four starters return on defense, but the linebackers are once again the strength of the defensive unit. They also have arguably the top shutdown corner in the conference in Cedric Woods who had 5 PBUs a season ago. The defensive line is a question mark that needs to be solved entering the season.
What’s at Stake?
This might be the only trip for the Flames to Ruston as the Bulldogs prepare to make the move to the Sun Belt. Cumbie is likely coaching for his job this season, will he still be there in late November? Could Louisiana Tech potentially be playing for either his job or bowl eligibility or possibly even a spot in the CUSA Championship game? At the least, this game could be for long term bragging rights with the two unlikely to play any time soon following the 2025 season.
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