They're off to an OK start. After dropping their first two games to Auburn and Navy, the Bulldogs have put together consecutive wins, including an impressive 27-6 victory over Hawaii in their Western Athletic Conference opener on Wednesday, Sept. 30, at Ruston, La.
Louisiana Tech will try to make it three straight on Friday, Oct. 3, playing Nevada in a WAC matchup at Reno, Nev. The 6 p.m. PST matchup will be telecast by ESPN, giving the Bulldogs a chance to sparkle in the national spotlight for the second time in nine days.
Coach Derek Dooley's Bulldogs turned in a physical defensive effort in Wednesday night's ESPN matchup. Hawaii (2-2) failed to score a touchdown for the first time since a 2004 game vs. Boise State – a streak of 62 games.
The Bulldogs hope they're beginning something big – like the surge that carried them to an 8-5 campaign in 2008. Louisiana Tech started 3-4, then put together a four-game winning streak to become bowl eligible. Tech fell to Nevada in its WAC finale, but defeated Northern Illinois in the Independence Bowl.
There's an opportunity to match or surpass those accomplishments in 2008, but it won't be easy.
Bulldogs' Run Defense Tightens Up
Louisiana Tech faced two of the nation's leading rushing attacks in its first two games, and got steamrolled. Auburn's fast-paced offense churned up 301 rushing yards in a 37-13 victory over the Bulldogs. The tricky triple-option attack of Navy managed 290 against Tech in a 32-14 triumph.
The Bulldogs followed with a 48-13 win over Nicholls State in their home opener. They gave up 161 rushing yards, with the FCS school managing 4.1 yard per carry. Then came the matchup with Hawaii that saw Louisiana Tech give up minus-7 rushing yards.
But the Bulldogs can't put too much stock in that. Hawaii's not exactly your grind-it-out type of team. The Warriors only rushed 16 times, and included in that total were five sacks of quarterback Greg Alexander.
So Louisiana Tech must continue to clamp down. Nevada loves to run out of its pistol offense, and other future opponents – including Utah State, Boise State and Fresno State – have run impressively this season. Fresno's the No. 3 rushing team in the NCAA Bowl Subdivision.
Talented Linemen Key Defensive Charge
The Bulldogs are still giving up 390.8 yards per game, barely making the FBS top 100. But they have come up with nine sacks, including five vs. Hawaii, and they’ve forced nine turnovers.
Linebacker Adrien Cole leads the Bulldogs with 32 tackles, and the sophomore has forced two fumbles. Safety Antoine Baker's made 30 tackles in addition to an interception and two forced fumbles, and Deon Young has bolstered the pass defense with three interceptions and three pass breakups.
Other defensive leaders for Tech include safety Tank Calais (26 tackles), cornerback Terry Carter (23 tackles), and linebacker Jay Dudley (22 tackles).
Hopes might rest most heavily on a talented defensive front anchored by tackle D'Anthony Smith. If the Tech linemen can dominate like they did vs. Hawaii, the Bulldogs will find themselves in the WAC title race.
The 6-foot-2, 300-pound Smith has registered 20 tackles, and he had his first two sacks of the season vs. Hawaii. His counterparts up front include Adrian Logan (16 tackles) and Mason Hitt (13 tackles, 2 sacks).
Potter Picks Up Pace for Bulldogs
Louisiana Tech's offense has displayed a solid passing game and a strong running game, just not always at the same time. Quarterback Ross Jenkins completed 13 of 23 passes for just 97 yards vs. Hawaii, but with the way his team was running, he didn't need to put up big numbers.
Star running back Daniel Porter put together his first big rushing effort of the season, running for 160 yards and two TDs. The senior has 65 rushes for 294 yards and four touchdowns in 2009, and he's caught 10 passes for 84 yards.
Tech has two other running threats in freshmen Tyrone Duplessis and D.J. Morrow. And receiver Phillip Livas has accounted for 220 yards from scrimmage (12 catches for 148 yards, 8 rushes for 74 yards). Dennis Morris (10 catches,147 yards) leads the Bulldogs with two TD receptions.
There have been only three of those for Tech this season, although Jenkins has put the ball in the air 114 times. The junior has completed 61 percent of those passes for 759 yards with two interceptions. Jenkins passed for 357 vs. Nicholls State.
The Bulldogs, who are averaging 365.2 yards per game, have been aided by accurate kicking. Matt Nelson has hit six of seven field goal attempts, with the only miss being from 58 yards.
Louisiana Tech's Toughest Stretch Comes Near End of Season
If there's a time for Louisiana Tech to build momentum, this is it. After facing Nevada, the Bulldogs are at home vs., New Mexico State, then play road games at Utah State and Idaho. Then Louisiana Tech enters its most difficult stretch.
The Bulldogs face No. 5 Boise State at home on Nov. 6, then play at No. 4 LSU on Nov. 14 and at Fresno State on Nov. 21. The season finale is Dec. 5 at home vs. San Jose State.
