Louisiana Tech wins WAC title

RUSTON, La. – Louisiana Tech captured the school’s first Western Athletic Conference championship since 2001 with a 44-0 victory over New Mexico State on Saturday.

The Bulldogs (8-4, 6-1) also accepted a bid to the Dec. 21 San Diego County Poinsettia Bowl. The bowl bid is the fifth in school history and the Bulldogs’ first since an Independence Bowl victory over Northern Illinois in 2008.

“It’s been a fun ride for this football team,” Bulldogs coach Sonny Dykes said. “It certainly feels great to win a championship. We started the season off kind of rough and I was proud of how our players hung in there. They have been a fun group to coach.

“We are excited about going to San Diego for the bowl game. It will be a great experience for our players.”

After Matt Nelson’s 32-yard field goal opened the scoring, Louisiana Tech extended its lead to 9-0 on Colby Cameron’s 7-yard touchdown pass to Taulib Ikharo.

New Mexico State (4-8, 2-4) concludes its season next week against Utah State.