Feb. 23, 2010
SHREVEPORT, La. - Louisiana Tech finalized its 2010 non-conference football schedule Tuesday by announcing a Sept. 4 game against Grambling State in the newly-created Port City Classic at Independence Stadium in Shreveport.
Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.
The game completes a non-conference schedule that also includes Texas A&M, Navy and Southern Miss.
The announcement came during a joint press conference Tuesday with officials from Louisiana Tech, Grambling and Shreveport mayor's office.
"I am really looking forward to playing Grambling for the first time in school history," Louisiana Tech head coach Sonny Dykes said. "Shreveport is a great place to host the game. The Shreveport-Bossier City community's support is critical to our success, and I can't wait to play in such a great facility as Independence Stadium."
Ironically, Dykes will be making his head coaching debut at the same facility that his father Spike made his head coaching debut.
The elder Dykes coached the Red Raiders against Ole Miss in the 1986 Independence Bowl after being named interim head coach after the departure of David McWilliams, who left following the regular season that year to return to Texas as the Longhorns head coach. Texas Tech lost the contest 20-17.
This will be the first time the two schools will face each other in Tech's 108-year history of intercollegiate football.
"We are excited to finalize our non-conference schedule for the 2010 season and to announce the game against Grambling State," said Acting Athletics Director Bruce Van De Velde. "Louisiana Tech has a strong alumni and fan base in the Shreveport-Bossier City area, and I am anxious to see them all come out to watch the Bulldogs kick off the 2010 season at Independence Stadium. We have a terrific non-conference schedule this year as well as a total of seven games in the state of Louisiana."
Tech President Dr. Dan Reneau said he appreciates the historical significance of the game between the two programs that are located only four miles apart.
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"Louisiana Tech and Grambling State both have such rich athletic traditions and celebrated histories," said Louisiana Tech President Dr. Dan Reneau. "We are excited for the opportunity to showcase our football program and for our student-athletes to take part in this historic game. This game is really a tribute to the fans of Tech and Grambling, and it will help strengthen the excitement surrounding intercollegiate athletics in north central Louisiana."
Following the Sept. 4 game against Grambling State, Louisiana Tech will play at Kyle Field against Texas A&M Sept. 11 before returning home to host Navy at Joe Aillet Stadium on Sept. 18. Rounding out the non-conference schedule will be a Sept. 25 home game against Southern Miss at Joe Aillet Stadium. All three of Louisiana Tech's Division I FBS non-conference opponents played in bowl games last season.
"One of the great things about this year's non-conference schedule is that we get the opportunity to play in a couple of great venues," said Dykes. "I am looking forward to playing a game in Independence Stadium and then following week playing in one of the best atmospheres in college football at Kyle Field. We will get to see a lot of different styles of teams and our players are looking forward to facing such quality opponents."
The Western Athletic Conference is expected to announce its league schedule within the next month, which will round out the full 2010 slate for the Bulldogs. Kickoff times for 2010 games are still yet to be determined.
Louisiana Tech fans can reserve their 2010 football season tickets today by visiting LATechSports.com. Spring practice, which is open to the public, begins on Wednesday, March 17 and concludes with the annual T-Day Spring Game set for noon on Saturday, April 10 at Joe Aillet Stadium.
For complete coverage of Bulldog Football, please visit the official home of Louisiana Tech Athletics at LATechSports.com.
2010 Louisiana Tech Football Schedule
S4 vs. Grambling State 6 p.m. Shreveport, La.
S11 at Texas A&M TBA College Station, Texas
S18 Navy TBA Ruston, La.
S25 Southern Miss TBA Ruston, La.
Schedule will also include Western Athletic Conference home games against Fresno State, Idaho, Utah State and Nevada and road games at Boise State, Hawaii, New Mexico State and San Jose State.
