.vresize.36.36.medium.0.png){kind=small}
.vresize.36.36.medium.0.png){kind=small}
Louisiana Tech (8-4, 6-2 CUSA) vs. Arkansas State (9-3, 8-0 Sun Belt), 9 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Line: Louisiana Tech by 2
Series Record: Louisiana Tech leads 25-12.
WHAT'S AT STAKE
Louisiana Tech seeks a second straight bowl victory. Arkansas State aims for its third bowl victory in four seasons.
KEY MATCHUP
Arkansas State's running game out of multiple formations, which averages 236.7 yards per game, against Louisiana Tech's stout interior defensive line led by NFL prospect Vernon Butler. Tech is allowing 114.8 yards rushing per game.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Louisiana Tech: Senior RB Kenneth Dixon enters the game with 83 career TDs scored, tied with Wisconsin's Montee Ball (2009-12) for second most all-time in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision. Only Navy's Keenan Reynolds (2012-present) has more, with 85. Dixon is also 32 yards rushing from being the first player in Louisiana Tech history to record three different seasons of 1,000-yards rushing.
Arkansas State: Senior DB Rocky Hayes has six interceptions this season and was named All-Sun Belt Conference.
FACTS & FIGURES
Louisiana Tech is making its first appearance in the New Orleans Bowl. ... The Bulldogs have appeared in seven previous bowls since the school moved up to Division I status in 1975 and this year marks only the second time Tech has gone to back-to-back bowl games (1977-78). ... Arkansas State enters the game on an eight-game winning streak, with all eight victories coming in the Sun Belt Conference. ... The Red Wolves are making their fifth straight bowl trip, having gone 2-2 in the previous four - all at the GoDaddy Bowl in Mobile, Alabama. ... This is Arkansas State's second trip to the New Orleans Bowl. The first was in 2005, a 31-19 loss to Southern Mississippi. ... While Louisiana Tech and Arkansas State have played 37 times previously, they have not met since 1998.
