Louisiana Tech starting QB for Week 9: Who is Sonnie Cumbie's QB1 for game against UTEP Miners?
Conference USA's Week 9 action starts with coach Sonnie Cumbie's Louisiana Tech Bulldogs taking on the UTEP Miners on Tuesday in Ruston. The Bulldogs are the favorites, but the Miners will be motivated to continue their momentum after winning their first game of the season last week.
Sonnie Cumbie, who has been the coach of LA Tech football since 2022, has tried two options as primary quarterback: Jack Turner and Evan Bullock, who has started the last three games.
Will Evan Bullock continue to start for Sonnie Cumbie's Louisiana Tech?
Redshirt freshman quarterback Evan Bullock should continue to get the nod from coach Sonnie Cumbie to start, given that he has impressed.
In his second start, Bullock was named the Conference USA Offensive Player of the Week. Despite a heartbreaking 33-30 loss to NM State last week, there's no reason for Cumbie to move on from the quarterback just yet.
If he does, which will be surprising, Jack Turner (412 yards, two TDS and two interceptions) and Blake Barker (314 yards and three interceptions) are waiting in the wings.
After last week's double overtime loss, where Evan Bullock went 21-40 for 233 yards and putting on -37 yards on seven rush attempts, Sonnie Cumbie acknowledged that the signal-caller wasn't at his best.
“I thought Evan had probably not his best performance," Cumbie said. "I think it took him a little while to get settled. And some of that is guys creating space and making plays around him and getting the protection he needs. But I thought he made plays in clutch, clutch moments. I think he was clutch.
"We had a couple throws there in the last drive on a third and long; I mean how many third and longs did he throw over the middle of the field to Tru Edwards and was able to keep us in the game and to answer when we needed answers. Lot of lessons to learn.”
Evan Bullock's performances this season
Having started the last three games, Evan Bullock has piled up 790 passing yards for eight touchdowns and two interceptions.
His best performance came against the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders, where he passed efficiently (72%), converting 18 throws for five touchdowns and rushing for the endzone once.
Key weapons
Wide receiver Tru Edwards leads the team with 32 receptions for 445 yards and four scores. He's coming off a second straight 100+ yard game, his third of the season, and his synergy with Bullock has been right on point. Moreover, Omiri Wiggins leads all rushers with 171 yards on 41 carries, including one score.
The Bulldogs defense, which allows just 316.3 yards per game, is first in the conference and 30th in FBS (total defense).