Tech has huge task tonight against No. 5 ranked Broncos
, buddy@rustonleader.com
11-06-2009
Does Louisiana Tech University face “Mission: Impossible” at Joe Aillet Stadium tonight?You’d have good reasons to believe so, given the seemingly never-ending list of accomplishments that Boise State will bring into Ruston for the 7 p.m., ESPN2 nationally-televised Western Athletic Conference game.
A few of them:
• No. 5 rankings in the Associated Press and USA Today national polls.
• No. 7 listing in the BCS standings.
• An 11-game winning streak against WAC opponents.
• A Heisman Trophy candidate in quarterback Kellen Moore, who leads the nation in pass efficiency rating.
• A Jim Thorpe Award candidate in Kyle Wilson, one of the country’s top defensive backs.
• A 10-game winning streak on the road.
• Top rankings in 13 different team departments of the latest conference statistical reports.including scoring defense (13.6), scoring offense (41.0) and total defense (274.2).
Get the picture?
“They are sound in every phase of the game,” said Tech head coach Derek Dooley of the defending WAC champions. “They do everything well. That’s why they have accomplished so much and are ranked so high and being in the running for a BCS bowl again. It didn’t happen by accident. From the coaching staff to the administration, they’ve done a tremendous job of building that program and creating a culture to where it has become consistently successful and a model for others to follow.”
Still, as daunting as the task is for the Bulldogs — they’ve lost two in a row and three of their last four games — Dooley is confident his team will be up to what he calls “a tremendous challenge.
“Our players are excited about playing a team like Boise State, being at home and getting a shot at an undefeated opponent,” he said. “Simply put, they’re very good and there’s no other way to look at it. But at the same time, our players are eager to face the highest ranked team ever to come into Aillet Stadium.”
Making the challenge even tougher for the Bulldogs, however, is the injury factor. Tech’s roster has resembled has undergone more changes than the government’s latest health care package, among the key victims being running back Daniel Porter (concussion), kick returner-wideout Phillip Livas (ankle) and linebacker Adrien Cole (concussion).
Returning ground gaining leader Porter and return superstar Livas have been listed since Monday as “questionable” for tonight’s game. But it might take an Act of Congress to keep that duo and any others on the injury charts, from playing in such a big game.
“No matter who it is on our team, we are all excited about this game,” said defensive back Tank Calais. “You have a highly ranked team like Boise State coming in here, how can you not be excited about playing? It’s going to be fun.”
The junior safety from Patterson isn’t above believing that the unexpected could happen by the time the final seconds tick down on the clock.
“Nobody is favoring us, so we are going to go out and try and shock the world,” he said. “Luck, talent, whatever it takes, we are going in with the belief that we can win it.”
It Tech does pull off a shocker, it would mark the Bulldogs’ first win over the Broncos since 2001.
Since that 48-42 victory in Tech’s first year as a WAC member, it’s been all Boise State.
Seven straight wins, in fact, and by scoring margin of 31.7 points.
Indeed, Tech might very well be facing a “Mission: Impossible” at “The Joe” tonight.
__________
Fast facts on Tech-Boise State
When: Tonight; Kickoff time: 7 p.m.; Where: Joe Aillet Stadium; Records: Tech, 3-5 overall, 2-3 WAC; Boise State, 8-0, 3-0 WAC; Radio: KXKZ-FM 107.5; Dave Nitz, play-by-play; Steve Davison, analyst; Benny Thornell, sideline; Television: ESPN2; Dave Lamont, Rod Gilmore; Series record: Boise State leads, 7-4; Head coaches: Derek Dooley, Tech; Chris Petersen, Boise State; Players to watch: For the Bulldogs—Ross Jenkins, QB; Antonio Baker, DB; D’Anthony “Boo” Smith, DL; Tank Calais, DB; Phillip Livas, WR/KR; For the Broncos—Kellen Moore, QB; Austin Pettis, WR; Jeremy Avery, RB; Kyle Wilson, DB; Kyle Brotzman, PK; National rankings: Boise State, No 5 in Associated Press and USA Today polls.
Other Top Stories
