Arkansas State @ Louisiana Tech preview

R+L CARRIERS NEW ORLEANS BOWL STORYLINES

1. The R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl figures to be a shootout between high-scoring teams when Arkansas State meets Louisiana Tech at the Superdome in New Orleans on Dec. 19. The Red Wolves eclipsed 50 points in the past three games, including a 55-17 victory over Texas State in the regular-season finale to become Sun Belt conference champions. The Bulldogs finished tied for 20th nationally in scoring offense with 36.8 points per game, but fell short of that in a 58-24 loss to Southern Mississippi for the Conference USA West title.

2. The decision to change quarterbacks midseason has paid dividends for Arkansas State as Fredi Knighten has won seven straight games since he became the starter over James Tabary. Knighten, a 5-foot-11 senior, has thrown 19 touchdowns to only seven interceptions and ranks third in the Sun Belt with a passer rating of 140.5. Running back Michael Gordon has topped 1,000 rushing yards for a second straight season and is coming off 148 yards against Texas State in his final home game for the Red Wolves.

3. The Bulldogs had one of the most prolific offenses in program history this season, finishing fourth all-time in total yards (5,589) and points scored (441). Florida transfer Jeff Driskel was named Conference USA Newcomer of the Year after passing for 3,575 yards and 24 touchdowns, which was more than he had in four years combined playing for the Gators. Running back Kenneth Dixon caught a pair of touchdowns against Southern Mississippi and is tied with Navy's Keenan Reynolds for the NCAA record in career touchdowns with 83.

TV: 9 p.m. ET, ESPN. LINE: Louisiana Tech -1.5

ABOUT ARKANSAS STATE (9-3, 8-0 Sun Belt): The Red Wolves were rocked by troubling news ahead of their bowl game as starting defensive end Chris Stone and backup receiver Tyler Trosin were arrested on drug charges Tuesday. Coach Blake Anderson said he is "aware of the unfortunate and disappointing incident," but declined to comment further until gathering more information. Stone ranks second on the team in tackles for loss (7.5), while Trosin has seen limited action with only eight catches this season.

ABOUT LOUISIANA TECH (8-4, 6-2 Conference USA): Dixon is 32 rushing yards away from becoming the first player in program history to record three different seasons of 1,000-plus yards on the ground. This is Skip Holtz's second bowl appearance in three years with Louisiana Tech after leading the Bulldogs to a 35-18 victory over Illinois in the Heart of Dallas Bowl last season. Arkansas State's ground attack racked up 33 rushing touchdowns during the regular season and is set to face a Louisiana Tech defense that allowed 11 while holding opponents to the ninth-fewest rush yards per game in the nation at 114.5.



PREDICTION: Arkansas State 38, Louisiana Tech 34