G5 Football Daily

HOW TO WATCH & PREVIEW: Louisiana Tech Bulldogs @ Liberty Flames

Date: Saturday, November 4 Time: 6:00 PM ET TV: CBS Sports Network Radio: KXKZ 107.5 FM/LA Tech Athletics App Location: Lynchburg, VA Betting Line: Liberty

Kevin Barral

© Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
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Date: Saturday, November 4

Time: 6:00 PM ET

TV: CBS Sports Network

Radio: KXKZ 107.5 FM/LA Tech Athletics App

Location: Lynchburg, VA

Betting Line: Liberty -16.5

Louisiana Tech Bulldogs

The Bulldogs are coming off of a tough 27-24 loss to the New Mexico State Aggies. LA Tech are now in a position where they would have to win out to make a bowl game.

After missing the last couple of games due to a shoulder injury, quarterback Hank Bachmeier made his first full start since the North Texas game where he suffered said injury. Bachmeier had a nice start against NMSU, throwing for 238 yards and one touchdown while completing 20 of 27 passes.

It was also nice for the Bulldogs to not only have their pass game working, but the rush attack as well. LA Tech combined for 163 rushing yards, although, 42 of those came from Bachmeier.

Smoke Harris continues to have himself a nice season, now ranking second in Conference USA in receptions per game, becoming Bachmeier's top target in the offense. This season, Harris already has 62 receptions for 637 yards and three touchdowns. He is set to surpass his 2022 receptions and yards totals.

Along with being an offensive threat, Harris has again been making an impact on the special teams side of the ball. Harris already has a touchdown off of a return and ranks at the top of the conference in all-purpose yards.

On the defensive side of the ball, cornerback Willie Roberts leads the conference in passes defended with 10 of them. This season, Roberts has 33 total tackles, one interception and a forced fumble.

Liberty Flames

Somehow, the Flames still find themselves out of the top 25 despite an 8-0 record, being ranked the top offense in Conference USA, and the second-best defense in the conference as well.

The Flames are coming off of a convincing 42-29 win against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, a team that was favored to win the conference entering the season.

Quarterback Kaidon Salter continues to have success this season as he threw for 169 yards and three touchdowns along with a rushing touchdown of his own. Salter was recently added to the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award's Midseason watch list.

This season, the Flames quarterback has thrown for 1662 yards and 19 touchdowns. He has also rushed for 614 yards and seven touchdowns. Salter ranks first in total offensive touchdowns, yards per rush, rushing touchdowns, pass efficiency, pass yards per completion and passing yards per attempt.

Salter was named Conference USA offensive player of the week once again.

Running back Quinton Cooley has arguably been the conference's best running back this season as he is coming off of 76 rushing yards and one touchdown in his performance against the Hilltoppers.

Along with the Bulldogs, Liberty has Old Dominion, UMass and UTEP remaining on the schedule. Wins over LA Tech and UTEP would give them an undefeated record in CUSA play. It would be the second year in a row that CUSA would have a team finish undefeated in league play after UTSA did it in 2022.

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Kevin Barral
KEVIN BARRAL

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