The Sam Houston football team (0-7) is coming off its third bye week of the 2025 season to face Louisiana Tech (4-3) Friday night.

“I’ve never been through a season [with] three bye weeks,” said head coach Phil Longo in Tuesday’s press conference. “We are coming off a get-better week for us. That’s typically not the approach I take. … We usually get right into the opponent.”

The Bearkats are still looking to secure their first victory following their seventh consecutive loss, a 35-17 defeat at the hands of the UTEP Miners. SHSU will enter Friday’s game as the only CUSA team with a winless record.

“It’s a constant everyday challenge,” Longo said. “I don’t think there’s a coach in this country that doesn’t feel that way to get your guys locked in and focused, regardless of how the season is going.”

Longo expressed confidence in the direction of the program during Tuesday’s press conference, with a main focus on Friday’s game.

“Right now, the most immediate deal is LA Tech, so we’re going to put our best effort into that, and then we’ll line it up and get ready for the next one,” said Longo.

LA Tech will enter Friday’s game looking to bounce back from its 28-27 loss in overtime against Western Kentucky.

The Bearkats and Bulldogs have a back-and-forth history (2-2-1) dating back to 1926. SHSU won its last matchup 9-3 during the 2024 season.

Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. at Joe Aillet Stadium in Ruston, Louisiana.