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Lousiana Tech Bulldogs (2000: 3-9) The following team preview is provided by Blue Ribbon. For the nation's most comprehensive look at this and all Division I-A teams, be sure to order the 2001 Blue Ribbon College Football Yearbook, on sale now at 1-800-775-2518.
Coach and programThe WAC hasn't really ever seen anything like Jack Bicknell and Louisiana Tech. The league that made itself famous in the 1980s with high-powered passing attacks is about to see what a high-powered, 21st century offense looks like.Bicknell runs an offense that has the fingerprints of current BYU coach Gary Crowton. Bicknell quickly picked up Crowten's system when he arrived in Ruston in 1997 to coach the offensive line. When Crowton left to become offensive coordinator for the Chicago Bears after the 1998 season, Bicknell, whose father coaches NFL Europe's Barcelona Dragons, took over. In his first season, Tech, playing a tough, independent schedule, won eight games, including an upset of Alabama on the last play of the game. Last season was the first true test for Bicknell. He lost several offensive weapons and had to deal with injuries. Still, he produced an offense that finished seventh in the nation in passing. But Tech also turned the ball over more than any other Division I-A team and put a suspect defense in difficult situations. The Bulldogs ran into, once again, one of the nation's toughest schedules, playing Kansas State, Penn State, Auburn and Miami. Bicknell is hoping last year's tough road will make for a smooth turn onto the WAC highway. The travel is going to be different, but it's nothing Tech hasn't seen before. The Bulldogs have seven road games and play only three times in Ruston. Having to play Fresno State and San Jose State, which has Heisman candidate Deonce Whitaker at running back, will initiate Tech into the WAC. It will test sophomore quarterback Josh McCown and a defense that should be improved with the infusion of several junior college transfers and signees. The season is also a landmark year for the program. It is the 100th season of Tech football and features Ruston's newest building in The Charles Wyly Athletic Complex. The $2.5 million facility houses an all-sports training room, coaches' offices, conference rooms and a heritage hall.
OffenseIn only eight games, McCown threw for 2,544 yards and 21 touchdowns on 244-of-369 passing. He had five 300-yard passing games and three 400-yard games, including 418 against Sugar Bowl champion Miami.McCown did make freshman mistakes, throwing 15 interceptions. He needs to get better at making decisions outside the pocket. He will also have to be more of a leader this season with only one receiver returning that caught more than 10 passes a year ago and two new receivers expected to see significant time. The running back spot is used as another receiver position and senior John Simon (5-9, 202) does the job nicely. He started all 12 games last year, rushing for 565 yards on 109 carries. More importantly, Simon led the nation's running backs for the second straight year with 72 catches for 711 yards and four touchdowns. Senior Delwyn Daigre (6-1, 205) is the only receiver who caught more than 10 passes last season. The Bulldogs are stocked with players, but Bicknell doesn't know what most of them can do.
Defense and special teamsEight starters are back on a defense that had an interesting 2000. The Bulldogs ranked near the bottom of the nation in total defense, scoring defense and rushing defense, but the pass defense was 30th in the country and passing efficiency defense was 27th.Tech is still going to be small up front this year. Senior end Carlin Thomas (6-3, 227) is the most productive lineman, but he gets pushed around when he's forced inside. He is quick and is good in pass coverage, but he needs improved production against the run. The Bulldogs signed five defensive linemen, but only one will see significant time. Spencer Young (6-3, 260), a transfer from Hudson (N.Y.) Junior College, can play tackle and end. Tech lost two of its three linebackers, but has high hopes for a unit that will have to provide an additional run stopping presence in addition to being better against the pass than it was last year. Most WAC teams like to throw to backs, causing linebackers to make plays in the open field. With Quincy Stewart and Brian Bradford -- who combined for 133 tackles last year -- having departed, junior Gerome Wallace (6-1, 239), the lone returning starter, is the captain of the defense. Wallace came into his own last year with 70 tackles, but he needs to be a tackling machine this season to keep teams from grinding out drives. The one bright spot of the Tech defense in 2000 was the secondary. Senior rover Bobby Gray (6-1, 210) thought about leaving school a year early. He led the team with 119 tackles a year ago despite missing two games with post concussion syndrome. While Gray makes plays in the running game, junior Michael John Lenard (6-0, 202) keeps things under control in the middle of the field. He was second on the team in tackles but only one of the 81 tackles was for loss. Sophomore Josh Scobee (6-1, 174) arrived in Ruston last season with the reputation of having a strong leg. He was handed the kicking job as a freshman and performed well under the circumstances. He made 39-of-41 extra points and 10-of-17 field goals.
Bottom lineAs long as the offense doesn't turn the ball over as much as it did a year ago and the defense gets better production from what will still be an undersized front seven, Tech can make noise in its first year in the WAC.The league is as balanced as it has ever been. Fresno State is the only standout team. Almost every other team could finish behind Fresno in second place. WAC teams are going to beat up on each other and the Bulldogs should be right in there with an offense that is going to surprise people in the league. |
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