La Tech Report

By Bret H. McCormick
aka b_hoss_mac

Well, another season of Louisiana Tech football is here. But unlike seasons past, the question mark falls directly on the man taking the snaps.For the first time since 2000, the Bulldogs are unstable at QB. That year was one of the worst in recent memory, as Tech slid to a 3-8 record. A lanky, baby-faced gunslinger arose from the muck that season as the starter. Luke McCown became a four-year starter and stamped his name alongside Tim Rattay's in the Tech record books. McCown is now gone to the NFL's Cleveland Browns, and four players are vying to replace - none of which has thrown a single collegiate pass. Juniors Matt Kubik and Donald Allen separated themselves from redshirt freshman Zac Champion in the spring and appear to have the upper hand in the race. Sophomore Andre Daniel - a junior college transfer - is the wild card. A proven winner, who led his high school team to three consecutive state titles and also led Northeast Oklahoma A&M to a Southwest Junior College Football Conference title last year, Daniel hopes to throw his hat into the race immediately upon his arrival in Ruston Although Tech is known for having standout QB's in recent years (Rattay and McCown are both in the NFL), all the Bulldogs need from that position this year appears to be a steady leader. The reason for that is the return of running back Ryan Moats, who emerged from a backup role to lead the WAC in rushing last year with 1,300 yards and 10 touchdowns. Moats, a 5-8, 201-pound junior, is expected to carry the bulk of the load for the Bulldogs in 2004. Over the last eight games of the 2003 season as the starter, Moats averaged 145.5 yards per game and 6.7 yards per carry. The question that must be answered is: Was Moats' effectiveness a product of McCown's presence or will Moats' presence increase this season's passing game?

At wide receiver, Tech must have some bodies step up to replace departed seniors D.J. Curry, Chris Norwood and Shawn Piper. The trio combined for 137 receptions, 1,795 yards and 12 touchdowns last year. Nobody in Tech's camp doubts the talent at receiver, although Moats is the leading returning receiver as well. However, seniors Tramissian Davis (22/410/3), Erick Franklin (19/318/1) and Julius Cosby (7/105/2) are expected to replace the departed seniors in terms of production and leadership. However, Tech fans are looking at other receivers to also step up and become go-to receivers. Junior Eric Newman (10/212/1), sophomore Johnathan Holland (4/80/0), and junior college transfers Seneca Chambers and Chris Maddox are expected to make big plays for the Bulldogs this year.

The offensive line might be the strongest asset of this year's team, paving the way for Moats and protecting whichever QB wins the job. Right tackle Adrian Gonzalez (6-6, 327) and left guard Aaron Lips (6-5, 317) will anchor the line. Gonzalez has been named to the Outland Trophy watch list, while Lips has garnered several looks from preseason All-American lists.Right guard Jordan Lang (6-4, 297), center Marcus Stewart (6-2, 300) and left tackle Lester Brown (6-5, 315) all return and give Tech's offensive line a combined 56 starts from a year ago. Sophomore Marcus Lindsay (6-7, 375), junior Glen Mason (6-4, 315), junior Jacob Peeler (6-3, 300), senior Ira Horyna (6-3, 290) and freshmen Ryan Considine (6-5, 283), Kevon Bagot (6-7, 330), Tyler Miller (6-7, 292), Jason Lewis (6-4, 310) and Jason Gooch (6-6, 275) give the Bulldogs' offensive line a legitimate three-deep at every position. With more of an emphasis placed on Moats and the running game in 2004, the Bulldog's are looking at adding more two-tight end sets.Senior Aaron Capps (6-6, 262) brings legitimate NFL size and skills to the position and has started 24 straight games for the Bulldogs and played in 36 career games. Although he has just 27 career catches for 228 yards, he provides a big target for the Bulldogs' QB's over the middle and down the field. Junior Anthony James (6-6, 260) offers another big blocker and target down the field, while senior Myron Hawthorne provides depth. The old saying goes that defense wins championships, and the Bulldogs will return to the 3-4 of the 2001 WAC championship team. After finishing dead last in 2003 in total defense, Tech hired a new defensive coordinator (Tim Rose) and decided to get more speed on the field by switching to the 3-4. With nine players returning that started five or more games last year, the experience is in place. Many believe the talent is there, too. Now it's time to put it all together. Defensive line, which was a weakness last year after combining for just 11 sacks, will have added depth with the switch. Seniors Jamelle Cage (end), Chris Van Hoy (nose) and junior Moqut Ruffins (tackle) will start on the line. Senior Travon Brown, juniors Quarvay Winbush, Eddie White, Ladarius Love and redshirt freshman Josh Muse will provide depth.

The strength of the Bulldogs' defense will undoubtedly be at linebacker. All four starters at linebacker started at some point a year ago. Jeremy Hamilton will start at the WILL 'backer spot. An undersized linebacker (5-11, 210), Hamilton will be used mainly as a blitzing linebacker in 2004.Seniors T.J. Jackson and John Nash will start inside, after splitting time at middle linebacker in 2003. Also expected to compete inside in junior college transfer Barry Robertson, a 6-foot, 240-pounder with speed and power. The star of the defense is expected to be senior Byron Santiago, who will start at the SAM linebacker position. Santiago emerged after an injury to Hamilton last year to lead the Bulldogs in tackles with 107. Backing up Santiago is another returning starter from last year. Wendell Crowe has moved from defensive end to SAM 'backer with the switch to the 3-4. In the WAC, perhaps the most important part of a defense is its secondary, since nearly every team in the conference throws the football on a regular basis.Tech's secondary returns three three-year starters in senior cornerback Corey Brazil, senior strong safety Michael Johnson and senior free safety Lee Johnson. The other starter at corner is senior Jerron Wishom. Even with the experience, the Bulldogs' secondary must still step up and make plays. Last year's Bulldog squad picked off 14 passes, but only 5 of those return to this year's secondary.Depth will also be an issue, as there are no proven players behind the starters. Junior college transfers Torrance Hampton and Bo Cox might be required to play immediately, and big things are expected from safeties Dez Abrams and Hiram Eugene. Perhaps the biggest question mark on the team is on special teams. Four-year starters Josh Scobee and Dustin Upton are gone. A host of freshmen will compete for the punting and kicking jobs. Placekicker Zach Myatt, who redshirted last year, has the best chance to take over the kicking duties. A Parade All-American in high school, Myatt  must become more accurate and continue to develop leg strength to fill Scobee's shoes. Incoming freshmen Danny Horwedel and Matt Butler will compete with walk-on punter David Black and a host of other walk-ons for the punting job. Horwedel is also expected to push Myatt for the starting spot at kicker. Coming off a disappointing 5-7 season, head coach Jack Bicknell is firmly on the hot seat with several questions to be answered going into the season. The talent is certainly there, but can the Bulldogs get consistent play from a quarterback? Can Moats handle being the guy? And will the defense improve any from last year; it can't get much worse. Bicknell hopes to find these answers before the Sept. 6 opener against Nevada. The sooner, the better for the Bulldogs - who once again face a brutal schedule with trips to Auburn, Miami and Tennessee, and could be looking at another long season.