Mizzou Central

Missouri Tigers Week 1 Preview: Louisiana Tech Bulldogs

The Tigers will open the season on Saturday against an underrated C-USA Opponent

Matt Galatzan

© Rob Kinnan - USA Today Sports
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The Missouri Tigers will be a new-look team in 2022, following the departures of key players, including starting quarterback Connor Bazelak. 

And despite that turnover, Mizzou should be in line to get off to a good start to begin their new campaign under third-year head coach Eli Drinkwitz. 

The first opponent on the schedule for that campaign will be the Lousiana Tech Bulldogs, led by first-year coach Sonny Cumbie, who looks to bring a new level of excitement to Ruston next fall.

The Bulldogs will be coming off of a disappointing 3-9 campaign under Skip Holtz, who recently departed for the USFL.

Be sure to stick with MizzouSportsTalk.com as we preview every aspect of the matchup between the Tigers and the Bulldogs throughout the week.

Louisiana Tech Bulldogs

2021 Record: 3-9 (2-6 in C-USA)

Head coach: Sonny Cumbie

Cumbie is entering his first season as the head coach of the Bulldogs after his second stint as the offensive coordinator of his alma mater, the Texas Tech Red Raiders.

Offensive Scheme: Air Raid

Defensive Set: 4-3

Projected offensive starters:

QB Matthew Downing

RB Greg Garner

WR Smoke Harris

WR Tre Harris

WR Bud Holloway

TE Griffin Herbert

LT Biron Rossell

LG Joshua Mote

C Abraham Delfin

RG Bert Hale

RT Dakota White

The Bulldogs were average at best last season on the offensive side, ranking no. 69 in the country at 28 points per game, and No. 77 in total offense at 389.3 yards per game. The hope in Ruston is that Cumbie will be able to revitalize the offense with his air raid style in a quick fashion.

Projected defensive starters:

DE Mykol Clark

DT Keivie Rose

DT Tristan Allen

DE Deshon Hall

LB Jakobe Brock

LB Tyler Grubbs

LB Maki Carabin

CB Credric Woods

CB Willie Roberts

S BeeJay Williamson

S Jaiden Cole

Much like the offense, the Louisiana Tech defense struggled in 2021, ranking No. 114 in the country in scoring defense and giving up 34 points per game. The Bulldogs also ranked No. 106 in total defense and gave up 434.4 yards per contest. 

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Matt Galatzan
MATT GALATZAN

Matt Galatzan is the Managing Editor and Publisher of MizzouSportsTalk.com, AllAggies.com and LonghornsCountry.com, as well as the Editor-In-Chief of InsideTheBears.com, TheGroveReport.com, RamDigest.com, AllSeahawks.com, and TexansDaily.com. Galatzan graduated from the University of Mississippi, where he studied integrated marketing communications, with minors in journalism and business administration. Galatzan started in the sports journalism industry under Mike Fisher at DallasBasketball.com in 2014, which at the time was part of the 247Sports network. He also spent two years covering the SMU Mustangs for PonyStampede.com on the 247Sports network. When DallasBasketball.com and CowboysCountry.com moved over to Sports Illustrated's Fan Nation network in 2020, Galatzan followed suit, eventually being taking over as the Managing Editor and Publisher of LonghornsCountry.com and AllAggies.com a year later. Through the years, Galatzan has conducted a handful of high-profile one-on-one interviews to add to his resume — in both writing and podcasting. Some of his biggest interviews have been with Mavs owner Mark Cuban, former Longhorns players Dan Neil and Phil Dawson, and many other recruits, and current/former players for each of the teams he has covered. Galatzan is also a full-time employee in the digital media department for Audacy and KRLD FM's 105.3 The Fan in Dallas, which is the official radio home of the Dallas Cowboys. You can find Galatzan on all major social media channels. For any inquiries, please email matt.galatzan@gmail.com

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