I’m not saying that expectations are low for Louisiana Tech heading into the 2025 season, but I did find it necessary to dig through some of the worst Louisiana Tech football performances on record. If only to establish a baseline of “bad.”
Unsurprisingly, the official Louisiana Tech record book doesn’t spend much time dwelling on the program’s lowest moments. But buried in the 130-page PDF is one ignominious category: most interceptions thrown in a single game by one player.
That number, if you’re wondering, is five.
The most recent Tech quarterback to tie that unfortunate record was Luke McCown in a 2001 match-up against Auburn. That record-tying fifth interception was especially painful, as it was thrown in OT to seal the victory for the Tigers.
Before McCown, Brian Stallworth matched the mark in 2000 against Penn State. That came was a bit less close, with the Bulldogs falling 67-7.
Jason Martin threw five of his 12 total picks in the 1993 season in a blowout loss to San Jose State. The 1988 season, now immortalized by the Spirit of ‘88 statue for the toughness of schedule, featured Gene Johnson’s five-interception day. Not against Mississippi State, Florida State, or Texas A&M, but in a nine-point loss to Arkansas State.
David Bewer helped hand Lamar one of their only two wins of 1983 with his five-interception day. And Marck Buchanan threw five against UT Arlington in 1979.
But none of those guys originally set the record. They merely tied it.
The original record belongs to none other than the Blonde Bomber himself, Terry Bradshaw, against the school Tech faces this week: Southeastern Louisiana.
In 1969, Louisiana Tech and Southeastern Louisiana were both members of the Gulf States Conference. That fall, the Bulldogs traveled to Hammond for SLU’s homecoming. What followed was one of the strangest, yet most exciting, games in Tech football history.
Bradshaw’s first interception came early: a pick-six that put Southeastern up 7-0. A fumble recovery soon after gave the Lions another short field, and they quickly doubled their lead.
Yes, that night Tech turned the ball over nine times: five interceptions and four fumbles.
But Bradshaw also showed the kind of talent that would make him the #1 overall pick in the NFL Draft just two months later. Down 14-0, he led a 19-3 run that gave Tech a 19-17 lead at halftime. All three scores came courtesy of Bradshaw – two on the ground and one 41-yard touchdown strike to his favorite target, Tommy Spinks.
The offenses stalled in the third quarter, with neither team scoring. More than likely, a few of the interceptions played a role in that. But Southeastern reclaimed the lead in the fourth with a touchdown to go up 24-19.
The Lions had a chance to put the game away late, facing a 2nd & Goal from the 1-yard line. But the Bulldog defense dug in and delivered a dramatic three-play goal-line stand to force a turnover on downs.
Tech couldn’t capitalize immediately, and SLU got the ball back with a chance to run out the clock. This time, SLU settled for a field goal attempt to make it an eight-point game. But a fumble on the snap, their only fumble of the game, gave Tech the ball back with 3 minutes and 52 seconds remaining. Time enough for one final drive.
Terry Bradshaw seized the moment, hitting passes of 22 and 23 yards and scrambling for 15 more to march the Bulldogs into the red zone. A seven-yard run by fullback Buster Herron was ruled just short of the goal line, but two quarterback sneaks later, Bradshaw was in the end zone. The Bulldogs took the 25-24 lead, and held on for the win.
Since that chaotic night in Hammond, the six other QBs mentioned at the top have joined Bradshaw in the Five Interception Club. But all six lost their five-interception game. But the record Bradshaw set and they tied was born not in defeat, but in victory.
Terry Bradshaw isn’t suiting up for Tech this season, hough the image of a 76-year-old QB under center is amusing. But whether it’s Evan Bullock or Trey Kukuk leading the offense, let’s hope they don’t try to emulate this particular performance from one of the all-time greats.
Because while setting a record is cool, not all records are worth chasing.