Louisiana Tech will aim for a monumental upset when it faces the Broncos in a Western Athletic Conference football game Friday, Nov. 6, at Ruston, La.
The Bulldogs (3-5 overall, 2-3) are coming off back-to-back WAC losses, which came by total of three points. And they've been hard by injuries — including ones suffered by their leading rusher, their most explosive receiver and their leading tackler.
Plus, Louisiana Tech will face an opponent that is ranked No. 5 in the AP rankings and No. 7 in the Bowl Championship Series standings. The Broncos (8-0, 3-0) haven't lost a conference game since 2007.
Boise State is coming off a 45-7 rout of San Jose State, which extended its WAC winning streak to 11 games. But coach Chris Petersen's Broncos will be on the road for the third time in four weeks, and will be facing a team that has played very well at home.
In its three games at Ruston, Louisiana Tech beat Nicholls State 48-13, Hawaii 27-6 and New Mexico State 45-7. Those teams, of course, are no powerhouses. But when Tech faced Hawaii, the Rainbow Warriors were 2-1, and standout quarterback Greg Alexander was healthy entering the game. Also, coach Derek Dooley's Bulldogs have met Auburn and Navy, so they might not be intimidated by Boise State.
Still, the Broncos have won seven consecutive games over the Bulldogs after losing the first four matchups in the series. Last year, Boise State won 38-3.
Friday's game is scheduled for 8 p.m. EST and will be telecast by ESPN2.
Boise State Offense Rolling
Sophomore quarterback Kellen Moore leads the nation in passing efficiency (171.0), as he's completed 67.4 percent of his passes for 1,905 yards and 24 touchdowns with only two interceptions.
Moore, who's been sacked just five times, directs an offense that ranks third in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision with 41.0 points per game. The Broncos are also averaging 434.9 yards.
Boise State's talented offensive cast includes running backs Jeremy Avery and Doug Martin, and receivers Austin Pettis and Titus Young.
Avery leads the team with 636 rushing yards on 5.7 yards per carry, and Martin has added 363 yards and five TDs on 5.3 yards per attempt. Pettis and Young have 41 receptions apiece, with Pettis netting 553 yards and nine touchdowns, and Young contributing 495 yards and seven TDs.
Safety Johnson Leads Broncos in Tackles, Interceptions
Boise State ranks 10th in total defense (274.25 yards per game) and 11th in scoring defense (13.6 points per game). The Broncos have been bolstered by safety Jeron Johnson, who leads the team in tackles (37), intercepttions (4) ad pass breakups (5).
Johnson is joined in the secondary by highly touted cornerback Kyle Wilson (23 tackles), and sometimes by Winston Venable, a safety/linebacker hybrid who is second on the team with 31 tackles.
The deep unit also features defensive end Ryan Winterswyk (9 tackles for loss, 6 sacks), defensive tackle Billy Winn (7 tackles for loss, 3 sacks), and linebackers J.C. Percy (28 tackles), Hunter White (26 tackles) and Aaron Tevis (25 tackles, 2 interceptions).
On only one occasion this season has Boise given up more than 310 yards. That came in a 51-34 win at Fresno State, when the host team erupted for 507.
Louisiana Tech Hopes to Heal Quickly
Louisiana Tech managed a season-high 547 yards vs. Idaho last week, but fell 35-34. The previous week, the Bulldogs lost to Utah State 23-21 and gained only 273 yards. On the season, Tech averages 27.0 points and 379.4 yards per contest.
Leading rusher Daniel Porter and wide receiver Phillip Livas were both knocked out of the Idaho game, and Tech will suffer it both aren't back for the Boise game. Porter has run for 640 yards and seven TDs, and Livas (19 catches, 205 yards) is a talented runner and return man as well as a key receiver.
Ross Jenkins has been Tech's starting quarterback, but last week, he shared time with freshman Colby Cameron. Jenkins went 17-for-30 for 220 yards and three TDs without being intercepted. Cameron was 10-for-16 for 105 yards, and ran six times for 24 yards.
On the year,Jenkins has completed 59.7 of his passes for 1,467 yards and 11 touchdowns with just four interceptions. Cameron is 14-for-24 passing for 142 yards. Pressure has been intense, as Tech has given up 18 sacks.
Tight end Dennis Moore leads Tech receivers with 22 catches for 357 yards and six touchdowns. Last week, the Bulldogs got career-best efforts from wide receivers R.P Stewart (6 catches, 73 yards) and Cruz Williams (4 receptions, 82 yards, 2 TDs).
Bulldogs Defense Is Banged Up, Too
Louisiana Tech is allowing 23.8 points and 372 yards per game, but gave up 35 and 461 to Idaho. It certainly didn't help that the defense was battered by injuries.
Tech certainly could have used Adrien Cole, who sat out because of a concussion. Despite missing the game, the sophomore linebacker leads his team with 59 tackles.
Safety Antonio Baker has also stood out, recording 51 tackles and two interceptions, and also forcing three fumbles. Other key players include safety Tank Calais (47 tackles), linebacker Jay Dudley (46 tackles), end D'Anthony Smith (39 tackles, 2.5 sacks) and cornerback Deon Young (3 interceptions).
