Brooks’ long touchdowns help Louisiana Tech hold off Army 31–29

Dylone Brooks scored on a 72-yard run and a 74-yard reception as Louisiana Tech beat Army 31–29 Saturday. The Bulldogs protected a two-point lead after Army drove 95 yards for a touchdown with 1:07 remaining, then kept possession following the kickoff and ran out the clock.

Brooks finished with 119 rushing yards on seven carries and 81 receiving yards on two catches. His two long touchdowns provided Louisiana Tech with quick answers in a game where Army's ground attack also produced substantial gains. The Bulldogs totaled 503 yards, including 244 rushing, and finished without a turnover.

Sergio Snider opened the scoring with a 24-yard touchdown run. Army answered through Zach Mundell's 21-yard rushing touchdown before Brooks broke his 72-yard score in the second quarter. Louisiana Tech led 14–7 at halftime, but the advantage briefly disappeared after the break.

Samari Howard's 54-yard touchdown run and Cale Hellums' successful two-point conversion gave Army a 15–14 lead early in the third quarter. Louisiana Tech answered immediately with Marcus Calwise Jr.'s 74-yard touchdown pass to Brooks. A successful two-point pass restored a seven-point advantage.

Trey Kukuk added a seven-yard touchdown run later in the third quarter. The extra point failed, leaving the score 28–15. Hellums' one-yard touchdown early in the fourth brought Army within six before Hunter Rioux's 32-yard field goal gave the Bulldogs a 31–22 cushion.

Army's last touchdown drive started at its own five-yard line. Hellums completed passes to Brady Anderson and Mundell, gained 22 yards on a run and found Anderson for a 31-yard completion to the Louisiana Tech six. His six-yard touchdown pass to Parker Poloskey, followed by the extra point, cut the margin to two. The kickoff went out of bounds, and Louisiana Tech ended with kneel-downs.

Hellums completed 12 of 24 throws for 151 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He ran for 55 yards and a score. Howard led Army with 158 rushing yards on 12 carries, while Anderson caught four passes for 79. The Black Knights finished with 270 rushing yards and 421 total yards.

Kukuk completed 16 of 22 passes for 185 yards and added 40 rushing yards. Eli Finley had four catches for 79 yards, and Talyn Shettron caught two for 47. Calwise's one pass supplied Louisiana Tech's only passing touchdown.

Both teams could move the ball on the ground, but Brooks' long plays gave Louisiana Tech two touchdowns without extended possessions. Army's late drive created a close finish, and the Bulldogs' nine-point fourth-quarter cushion proved enough to withstand it.

Louisiana Tech's official preview listed the Bulldogs at 1–2 coming out of their bye week and Army at 2–1. It also documented Army's 3–0 advantage in the series before this first meeting in Ruston. The two-point finish gives Tech its first victory in the matchup and a 2–2 record as it closes its nonconference schedule; Army falls to 2–2.