Western Kentucky wide receiver Xavier Lane (9) is tackled by a group of Louisiana Tech players during the Hilltoppers’ 23-22 loss to the Bulldogs on Sept. 16 at Houchens-Smith Stadium. WKU visits Louisiana Tech on Nov. 24.

Editor’s note: This is part 12 of a 12-part series previewing Western Kentucky’s football opponents for the 2018 season.

The Hilltoppers will close the regular season Nov. 24 in Ruston, La., at Conference USA foe Louisiana Tech. Kickoff from Joe Aillet Stadium is set for 11 a.m., with the game to be broadcast on CBS Sports Network.

FRISCO, Texas – Breaking in a new quarterback seems an annual ritual at Louisiana Tech. The Bulldogs have enjoyed success despite turnover at the position, winning four straight bowl games under coach Skip Holtz.

Now, for the first time since 2010, La Tech has the same player directing the offense two years in a row.

2017 starter J’Mar Smith is back for the Bulldogs this fall. The junior will be behind center Sept. 1 when Louisiana Tech opens its 2018 campaign at South Alabama.

“It’s nice to have the opportunity to start not at ground zero … with a lot of question marks about who’s going to be your quarterback,” Holtz told the Daily News last month during Conference USA Media Days at The Star.

Holtz took over the Bulldogs’ program in 2013 and Ryan Higgins was the team’s starting quarterback. The offense was then piloted by Cody Sokol in 2014, Jeff Driskel in ’15, Higgins again in ’16 and Smith in ’17.

The last four teams went a combined 34-20 and posted wins in the Heart of Dallas, New Orleans, Armed Forces and Frisco Bowls.

While Higgins started in two non-consecutive years, Smith is the first La Tech QB to start in back-to-back seasons since Ross Jenkins (2008-10).

Smith completed 56 percent of his passes last season for 2,974 yards with 16 touchdowns against five interceptions. The Meridian, Miss., native also ran for 371 yards and another six TDs.

The first-year starter had his struggles. He completed less than 50 percent of his passes in losses to Mississippi State (43.5 percent) and Southern Mississippi (39.2) and in a win against Texas-San Antonio (33.3).

Smith finished his redshirt sophomore year on a high note, completing 15 of 23 passes for 216 yards and three touchdowns in a Frisco Bowl rout of Southern Methodist. He also ran for a score in the 51-10 win and was named Frisco Bowl Offensive Player of the Game.

“He just needs to continue to grow, continue to develop, especially from a mental standpoint,” Holtz said. “… He has great understanding going from his sophomore to his junior year of the offense, reading defenses, knowing where to go with the ball.

“He learned how to … make the routine play and move the offense. He’s a very talented player, but I’m really excited about the growth he’s making mentally as a quarterback.”

The Bulldogs’ offense is highlighted by two preseason All-Conference USA picks in guard O’Shea Dugas and wide receiver Teddy Veal. Dugas and Veal were both Second Team All-C-USA performers in 2017.

Defensively, the Louisiana Tech stars are defensive end Jaylon Ferguson and defensive back Amik Robertson.

Ferguson, a First Team All-C-USA pick last season, has made 27½ sacks during his career, including a school-record 14½ during his redshirt sophomore season of 2016.

The Bulldogs were picked to finish second in the preseason Conference USA West Division poll behind defending West champ North Texas. La Tech received four first-place votes, second to the Mean Green’s 18.

Western Kentucky has faced the Bulldogs five times since joining C-USA in 2014. Louisiana Tech has a 3-2 series edge since the teams became conference mates, though the Hilltoppers beat the Bulldogs in the 2016 Conference USA Championship Game.

The 2015, ’16 and ’17 regular-season meetings between the two programs were decided by a combined seven points. La Tech is scheduled to roll off WKU’s schedule next season.

Holtz noted that because of the 2016 C-USA title game matchup, his teams have faced the Toppers more since 2014 than they have any of their West Division rivals.

“This has been something that’s just stayed on the schedule where you’ve got two of the most successful programs over the last four-year period that have played each other each and every year,” Holtz said.

“I know it’ll come off the rotation sooner rather than later, but I just don’t know if I’ll be alive to see it.”

Best offensive player

Teddy Veal, Wide receiver, Redshirt senior

Veal was named the Conference USA Newcomer of the Year in 2017. The Bridge City, La., native and Tulane transfer ranked third last year in C-USA with 5.7 receptions per game and led Louisiana Tech in catches (74), receiving yards (950) and touchdown catches (seven).

Best defensive player

Amik Robertson, Defensive back, Sophomore

Robertson in 2017 became the fifth Freshman All-American in the history of Bulldogs football, marking the third straight year a La Tech player has received that distinction. The Thibodaux, La., native grabbed five interceptions, including one he returned for a TD in the team’s Frisco Bowl win.

Head coach

Skip Holtz (38-28, sixth season; 126-99 overall)

2017 season results

7-6 overall, 4-4 Conference USA, Frisco Bowl champions

Series history vs. Western Kentucky

Louisiana Tech leads 5-3 (Bulldogs won last meeting 23-22 on Sept. 16 in Bowling Green){&end}