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Bulldogs Host Utah State Saturday


 

  
Posted Oct 20, 2006 09:46:29


Bulldogs Host Utah State Saturday

RUSTON – Louisiana Tech hopes to avoid the turnover bug Saturday when the Bulldogs host Utah State at Joe Aillet Stadium at 6 p.m.

One week after committing eight turnovers in a 24-14 loss to Idaho, head coach Jack Bicknell and Co. know that holding onto the football is a must this weekend.

“It sounds like one of the oldest cliché’s in the book, but you can’t turn the football over if you want to win,” said Bicknell, who has seen his team turn it over 22 times already after only committing 18 turnovers all of last year. “We have to make good decisions in the passing game, and we have to secure the football with both hands. Turnovers cost us the game last week. It’s unacceptable.”

Utah State head coach Brent Guy also knows that turnovers are the key.

“"It will be the same style of game that we have played against all these teams,” Guy said. “Turnovers are going to be a big factor. I am sure they are going to concentrate on that this week after just having eight turnovers. We have got to finish drives and not give up big plays for touchdowns on defense and we will have a chance to win the football game."

Tech (1-5, 0-2 WAC) and Utah State (1-6, 1-2 WAC) are both desperate for a win as the Bulldogs lone victory came on Sept. 16 against Nicholls State while the Aggies one win came Oct. 7 against Fresno State.

The Bulldogs are playing at home for just the third time this year.

“Nobody would want Jack Bicknell’s schedule,” said Guy. “They have eight road games. They have some guys hurt because of the games they have had to play on the road. They will be hungry. This is the first time they’ve got to stay at home two weeks in a row. That will be an advantage for them.”

Tech will be without the services of junior running back Freddie Franklin, who was suspended Thursday by Bicknell for missing classes.

However, starting tailback Patrick Jackson who missed the second half of last week’s game with an injury looked good in practice Thursday and should be ready for Saturday’s game. True freshmen Daniel Porter and William Griffin will be backing Jackson up.

Utah State leads the all-time series 2-1 although Louisiana Tech won last year’s meeting in Logan 27-17.

The game will be televised live on Cox Sports TV and as part of ESPN Game Plan’s package and WAC.tv.

Dave Nitz, Steve Davison and Benny Thornell will provide all of the action on the Louisiana Tech Radio Network on KXKZ-FM 107.5 (Ruston) and KEEL-AM 710 (Shreveport) with the pre-game show starting at 5 p.m.