louisiana tech took the first lead with 8:59 left in the third quarter when matt nelson hit a 25-yard field goal to make the score 3–0. san jose state took a 7–3 lead at the 6:50 mark in the first quarter when brandon rutley ran for a 1-yard touchdown. louisiana tech retook the lead at the 10:31 mark in the second quarter when richie casey ran for a 21-yard touchdown to make the score 10–7 in favor of the bulldogs. with 8:29 remaining in the second quarter, san jose state took a 14–10 lead after matt faulkner threw a 60-yard touchdown to noel grigsby. louisiana tech took a 17–14 lead at the 7:20 mark in the second quarter after colby cameron threw a 90-yard touchdown pass to quinton patton. tech scored another touchdown on a 2-yard pass from cameron to quinton patton to extend the lead to 24–14 going into the half.