Louisiana Tech takes down Hawaii 31-14 for bowl win

HONOLULU, HI -- In a game that saw Tech trail 7-3 at the half after committing three first half turnovers, the Bulldogs came out and owned the third quarter, outscoring Hawaii 21-0 and outgaining UH 210-53 in route to a 31-14 win over the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors Saturday night.
With the win, Louisiana Tech picks up the Hawaii Bowl title, their first ever bowl win on the islands and their fifth bowl title in a row under head coach Skip Holtz.
In the game, senior defensive end Jaylon Ferguson surpassed former Arizona State and NFL star Terrell Suggs as the NCAA all-time sack leader, recording two and a half sacks to end his career with 45 total sacks.
While the Tech offense found its groove in the third quarter, it was a pair of defensive plays that sparked the rally.
After a failed fourth down play deep in Tech territory on the opening possession of the third quarter, Ferguson and the Bulldogs D stood tall.
On a first down and 10 play from the Bulldogs 18, Ferguson tied Suggs for the NCAA record, teaming up with Jacorion Andrews for a sack of UH quarterback Chevan Cordeiro.
On the next play Jordan Baldwin stepped in front of a Cordeiro pass and returned it to the Tech 49 yard line, ending the UH threat.
Following the interception, Tech drove 51 yards on three plays highlighted by a 41-yard pass from J’Mar Smith to Teddy Veal and capped by a 5-yard TD run by Israel Tucker. Bailey Hale’s extra point gave Tech a 10-7 lead.
Leading by a field goal, Tech turned to Jaqwis Dancy on its next possession. After taking over on its eight yard line following a UH punt, Smith picked up a huge first down on a 25-yard scramble from the shadow of the Tech end zone.
Back to back runs by Dancy picked up another first down and set up the second TD of the night. On a second down and 10, Dancy took a screen pass from Smith and raced 58 yards untouched to paydirt and a 17-7 Bulldog lead.
Tech’s final score of the third quarter came via the legs of Smith. After a 54-yard hookup to Adrian Hardy took the ball down to the UH 7-yard line, Smith faked a handoff and ran four yards through the middle of the Hawaii defense for the score.