The season ended with a 49-24 loss to Clemson in the Humanitarian Bowl, but head coach Jack Bicknell and his Bulldogs are already looking forward to the 2002 season and their defense of the WAC championship.
"That is a huge challenge,’’ Bicknell said. "We are going to be everyone’s big game because everyone is going to want to beat us. That’s a big difference from last year when we surprised most people.
"It’s the same challenge anyone else faces when they win their league. I don’t think we are going to sneak up on anyone this year. We have to raise our standards and the team has to recognize this. We have to act like champions and work like champions during the off-season. It’s a big challenge.’’
The championship season came on the heels of a 3-9 record in 2000. The difference was an offense that set a school record by scoring 40 points or more in six straight games, the lone setback coming to Top 25 Auburn, 48-41, in overtime.
Bicknell was voted WAC Coach of the Year and will bring back 17 starters and 42 letter winners for the 2002 season.
The Bulldogs averaged 33.8 points and 425 yards per game last season, and received a boost when a junior college transfer, running back Joe Smith, ran for 931 yards, the most by a Tech running back since 1994.
Defensively, Louisiana Tech gave up 31.0 points and 443 yards per game last year. Still, it was an opportune defense that ranked No. 11 in the country in pass interceptions and No. 13 in turnovers gained.
In the spring, Bicknell announced the hiring of former Kentucky assistant head coach Rick Smith and the promotion of defensive backs coach Randy Bates. Smith and Bates will serve as co-defensive coordinators. They succeed Tom Masella, who served as defensive coordinator for three years before heading back home to coach the University of Massachusetts.
"We are very excited about Rick joining our staff,’’ Bicknell said. "He brings a lot of experience and is a great coach and individual. You are talking about a guy who has been in this a long time. He has had a lot of success.’’
The 54-year-old Smith came to Louisiana Tech after resigning from the Georgia Tech staff because of erroneous information printed in media guides regarding his collegiate athletic experience. Although Smith signed a baseball scholarship at Florida State, his bio read that he also played for the Seminole football team. The information never appeared on his resume.
QUARTERBACKS
The Bulldogs will be solid at quarterback with the return of junior Luke McCown (6-4, 199), a two-year starter and All-WAC second-team selection. He completed 302-of-521 passes for 3,665 yards and 29 touchdowns last season and was intercepted 17 times.
An All-America candidate, McCown has registered 300-yard plus games against some of the nation’s best programs -- Auburn (2000 and 2001), Miami (2000), Fresno State (2001) and Clemson (2001). He has 12 career games with 300 or more yards and six with more than 400.
McCown is also an effective runner who scored five touchdowns last year.
"We are very excited about Luke coming back for another year,’’ Bicknell said. "He is obviously a great player, and he has two years under his belt so he is now an experienced player. If he continues to improve, he has the opportunity to really be a special player.’’
Backing up McCown will be junior Maxie Causey (6-4, 194), who completed 8-of-16 passes for 124 yards last year. He led the Bulldogs to their game-winning field goal in the final minute against Nevada. He also serves as the holder on field goals and extra points.
RUNNING BACKS
Smith (6-1, 218), a senior, transferred in 2000 from New Mexico Military Institute and red-shirted that season. A year ago he carried the ball 186 times for 931 yards and eight touchdowns. Smith received second-team All-WAC honors and was chosen Newcomer of the Year in Louisiana by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association.
"Joe Smith is going to be a great player for us this year,’’ Bicknell said. "He was a great player for us last year. He is a guy we need to feature in our offense a little bit more than maybe we have featured a running back in the past. We are going to be working on the running game a lot this spring.’’
Red-shirt freshman Allyn Sloan (5-9, 201) and junior college transfer Ralph Davis (6-1, 220) will back up Smith. Sloan averaged more than 6 yards per carry his senior year at St. Pius High School in Humble, Texas. Davis rushed for 1,334 yards on 212 carries last year at Jones County Community College in Mississippi.
WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS
The biggest challenge offensively will be replacing wide receivers Delwyn Daigre and John Simon, who combined for 148 catches, 1,787 yards and 11 touchdowns last season. They combined for 500 receptions, 5,900 yards and 37 touchdown during their careers.
"We did lose some great players in John and Delwyn,’’ Bicknell said. "But I think we have some pretty good players coming back.’’
The key returnee is junior D.J. Curry (5-10, 167), who caught 55 passes for 776 yards and eight touchdowns last year despite missing two games.
"D.J. showed what he can do last year,’’ Bicknell said. "He had an outstanding season and should only get better and better. He has great wheels and is the type of receiver who can make defenders miss.’’
Also returning is senior Ahmad Harris (6-0, 176), who caught 28 passes for 289 yards and four touchdowns last year.
"Ahmad started for us last year and was a good possession receiver,’’ Bicknell said. "He possesses great hands and provides us with one of our bigger targets. I expect a very productive season from him.’’
Senior Corey Berlin (5-11, 174) and Erick Franklin (5-11, 191) each caught 13 passes last year. Berlin started the first two games of the season and Franklin had three starts.
"Corey is a steady guy who we are excited about,’’ Bicknell said. "We feel like Erick can really step up this year and be a great player.’’
Other possibilities are sophomore Tramissian Davis (6-0, 171), red-shirt freshman Freddie King (5-7, 156), red-shirt freshman Alton Bryant (6-1, 192) and sophomore Danny Wilson (5-10, 204). King received a medical red-shirt last year. Davis hasn’t played in two years and Wilson is a converted running back.
"Tramissian red-shirted last year and we feel like he can come in and really provide a spark,’’ Bicknell said. "I think Tramissian is an outstanding athlete who could put it all together this year. Freddie and Danny both need to step up this spring and prove themselves. Alton showed us last fall what he is capable of and I am anxious to see where he stands now.’’
Senior Major Richmond (6-3, 215) returns at tight end after catching nine passes for 133 yards and two touchdowns last year.
"Major has played a lot for us,’’ Bicknell said. "He has great hands and really gives us some speed at the position. He also does a good job of blocking despite his lack of size.’’
Also back is sophomore Aaron Capps (6-6, 264), who played in all 12 games last year. He caught four passes for 14 yards and one touchdown.
Red-shirt freshman Jamie Spigener (6-4, 253) was selected to the Fort Worth Star Telegram All-Area Top 75 when he caught 17 passes for 216 yards his senior year at Cleburne High.
Steve Brown (6-3, 229) played last year at Independence Community College in Kansas as a wide receiver, but is listed as a tight end.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Louisiana Tech returns three of five starters along the offensive line and a good group of newcomers.
The returning starters are senior right tackle Damian Lavergne (6-6, 328), senior center Shawn Murff (6-4, 294) and junior left tackle Michael Gilmore (6-5, 311). Still, Bicknell said all five positions are up for grabs.
"I never really say one player is a lock, but obviously Laavergne, Murff and Gilmore all have better shots,’’ he said. "Basically, we have 18 scholarship guys; it’s a matter of who steps forward.’’
Junior Adam Bass (6-2, 302) and red-shirt freshman Philip Recio (6-2, 300) will battle against Murff at center. Behind Lavergne will be junior Clarence Casey (6-3, 300). Competing against Gilmore will be senior Tywoin Breaux (6-5, 300). Breaux entered spring practice 100 percent after receiving a medical red-shirt last year because of a knee injury.
At right guard, sophomore Adrian Gonzalez (6-5, 310) and junior college transfer Ira Horyna (6-4, 300) are shooting for the top of the depth chart.
"We have some very good young players on the offensive line,’’ Bicknell said. "Marcus and Aaron, I think can be outstanding. We also have four junior college guys coming in the fall who will be able to contribute immediately, plus Jordan Lang (6-5, 309) and Ira Horyna will be here for spring practice.’’
KICKERS
Junior Josh Scobee (6-1, 184) returns as the place-kicker. A 2001 Lou Groza semifinalist, Scobee made 19-of 23 field-goal attempts and 45-of-46 extra-point kicks.
Scobee made 15-of-16 field goals inside the 40 and consistently sent kickoffs deep into the end zone.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Gone are starters Jamie Nichols (70 tackles, 16 for loss, four sacks) and Clint Ellsworth. Good depth does return because the Bulldogs used a nine-man rotation last season. The Bulldogs will switch to a four-down lineman front this year.
"No question we lost some great players, but we feel like we have a good nucleus returning,’’ Bicknell said. "Guys who have played a lot of football for us.
"Obviously, we have to replace Jamie and Clint. We believe we have the guys who can do that plus we have four new guys coming in the fall who can help. It is just a matter of who comes to the forefront.’’
Battling for the start at left end are seniors Brandon Avance (6-4, 250) and Booker T. Washington (6-3, 257). Avance made 48 tackles last year and Washington had 23.
The starting left tackles will be either senior Spencer Young (6-3, 265) and junior Jemelle Cage (6-1, 280).
"Spencer is going to be very good,’’ Bicknell said. "He has added some size and I think he has the potential to really come on strong this year.’’
At right guard, the starter will be either senior Quincy Myles (6-3, 307) or sophomore Chris Van Hoy (6-4, 293). Myles started five games last year and made 50 tackles, while Van Hoy made 35 tackles.
The right end will be either senior Carlin Thomas (6-3, 238) or sophomore Travon Brown (6-2, 242). Thomas moves back to the line after playing linebacker last season in the 3-4. Brown made 23 tackles last year.
LINEBACKERS
Second-team All-WAC performer Curtis Randall (6-3, 225) will be the weak-side linebacker after making 49 tackles last year. Listed behind Randall on the depth chart is junior Jonte Price (5-11, 230), who earned one start last year and made 26 tackles.
At middle linebacker, the competition will be between senior Gerome Wallace (6-2, 243) and sophomore Josh Nash (6-0, 246). Wallace started seven games last year and made 58 tackles, while Nash made four starts with 45 tackles. Wallace broke his left ankle early in the spring game and underwent surgery the next day.
"Nothing is set in stone as far as the spring two-deep,’’ Bicknell said. "We will start out with a tentative two-deep and go from there. Linebacker is a position where we have about seven or eight guys competing for three spots.’’
Senior Chris Marshall (6-0, 233) and junior Antonio Crow (6-0, 236) are the top contenders at the third linebacker. Marshall started five games last year and made 74 tackles while Crow started the first six games before giving way to Marshall.
Senior Adam McConathy (6-4, 247), who transferred from Texas, will also be in the mix.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
The Bulldogs ranked among the nation’s leaders with their 19 interceptions last year but several key performers are gone, including cornerback Jason Olford, who was ranked No. 1 in the WAC in interceptions (five) and pass breakups.
Also gone are All-American Bobby Gray at safety, and free safety Quincy Davis.
"Obviously, losing Bobby, Jason and Quincy is big,’’ Bicknell said. "All of those guys did a great job for us last year. There is no question we lost some good players, but we feel like we have good players coming back.’’
Senior Willie Sheppard (5-10, 198) has the most experience of the returning cornerbacks. He made 61 tackles last year, intercepted two passes and broke up 16.
"Willie will be back and he was absolutely fantastic for us last year,’’ Bicknell said. "He made a number of big plays during the season.’’
Behind Sheppard is sophomore Jerron Wishom (5-11, 185), who missed most of last season with a knee injury.
The other cornerback will probably be junior Corey Brazil (5-8, 189), who made one start last year.
"It is time for Corey to step up and be the player we know he can be,’’ Bicknell said. "It’s his time to shine.’’
Listed behind Brazil is junior Kevin Brown (5-10, 180). Others in the picture are red-shirt freshman Delone Williams (6-1, 188), and junior Damien Newton (6-0, 176). Newton was a wide receiver the last two years.
Listed No. 1 and No. 2 on the depth chart at strong safety are senior Michael John Lenard (6-0, 205) and sophomore Lee Johnson (6-2, 192). Lenard made 74 tackles and intercepted three passes last year. Johnson made 28 tackles last year. Their competition will come from junior Gavin Cato (6-1, 191) and Sam Washington (6-1, 191).
"Michael John has started for us over the past three seasons,’’ Bicknell said. "He is one of our leaders in the secondary and I expect him to have a productive senior year.’’
The likely starter at free safety is junior Michael Johnson (5-8, 183), who played in all 12 games last year. Red-shirt freshman Jeremy Hamilton (5-11, 205) will see playing time. He is a former all-state player at Ruston (La.) High.
