Tuesday, Nov. 03, 2009

Scouting Louisiana Tech: Boise State at Bulldogs

FACTS AND FIGURES

Where: Ruston, La. (population: 21,123)

Founded: 1894

Enrollment: 11,500

Colors: Red and blue

Nickname: Bulldogs

Record: 3-5 overall, 2-3 WAC

Last game: Lost at Idaho, 35-34, on Oct. 31

Next game: at LSU, Nov. 14

COACH

Derek Dooley is in his third season at Louisiana Tech and is the only FBS football coach who also serves as his school's athletic director. He is 16-17, including an 8-5 record and Independence Bowl title last year.

The Bulldogs likely won't play in a bowl this year because they lost their past two games by a total of three points. Two straight bowl appearances might have been unrealistic anyway.

"The most important thing is we don't get caught up in the results," Dooley said. "We're still building a program here and probably everybody jumped the gun a little bit because of the success we had last year."

OFFENSE

The Bulldogs haven't had a dynamic passing attack since Luke McCown's senior year in 2003. Ross Jenkins,this year's starter, certainly isn't the answer but he rarely hurts the Bulldogs. He does have a few fantastic offensive weapons at his disposal in tailback Daniel Porter, wide receiver Phillip Livas and tight end Dennis Morris. Porter and Livas were All-WAC first-teamers last year and Morris, with six touchdowns and a 16.2-yards-per-catch average, could earn that honor this year.

The Bulldogs are built around a downhill rushing attack that averages 178.2 yards per game and a variety of plays that get the ball to Livas, who already has scored on a kickoff return and punt return this season.

The Bulldogs' biggest concern this week might be injuries. Porter and Livas were knocked out of last week's game and are questionable.

DEFENSE

The Bulldogs have two All-WAC first-teamers on defense, too, in tackle D'Anthony Smith and safety Antonio Baker. Baker is the team leader and a proven playmaker with 352 tackles, 10 interceptions, nine forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries and 17 pass breakups in his career.

On paper, it looks like the Bulldogs struggle against the run. However, their stats were skewed by allowing 290-plus yards to three unconventional offenses - Auburn, Navy and Nevada. In pass defense, the Bulldogs often rely on a four-man rush and zone coverage - and that's been an effective combination. The Bulldogs rank second in the WAC in sacks (16) and pass-efficiency defense (8 TDs, 9 ints.).

SPECIAL TEAMS

Livas has returned six kicks for scores in his career, so opponents rarely kick the ball his way. The Bulldogs have allowed a kickoff return for a TD this season. They aren't a good punting team. Kicker Matt Nelson is 7-of-10 on field goals, including a 56-yard miss on the last play at Idaho.

DID YOU KNOW?

Louisiana Tech is 16-7 at home since 2005, the third-best winning percentage in the WAC. The Bulldogs have won their three home games this year by an average of more than 31 points.