Pack The House
 
Bulldogs, Wolfpack Set for Shootout


 

  
Posted Oct 23, 2003 18:27:30
Bulldogs, Wolfpack Set for Shootout

RUSTON - If history is any indication, fans attending Saturday's game between Louisiana Tech (3-4, 1-3 WAC) and Nevada (5-2, 3-0) had better like offense.

Although the young series is only three games old, it has been filled with offensive fireworks as the two teams have each scored 42 or more points in each game with the Bulldogs prevailing in two of the three.

The series began in 1995 with Nevada winning 49-45 in Ruston while Tech has won the last two years, 45-42 in 2001 and 50-47 in 2002. Most likely, this Saturday will be no different.

"Obviously, Nevada is a very good football team," said Tech head coach Jack Bicknell. "They are in first place right now. They've beaten a real good Washington team and are just very balanced. It will be another challenge."

Nevada is led by sophomore running back Chance Krestchmer, who returns to the field after missing last year due to a knee injury. Kretschmer, who led the nation in rushing as a freshman, ranks No. 1 in the Western Athletic Conference in rushing this season and rushed for 242 yards against the Bulldogs in 2001.

"Offensively, they have one of the best running backs in the country," Bicknell said. "He is big, strong and physical and we have to do a good job trying to contain him. He didn't lead the nation in rushing two years ago without being a big-time player."

On the Bulldogs offensive side, the recent emergence of sophomore running back Ryan Moats has made Tech even more dangerous. Quarterback Luke McCown, who ranks No. 5 in the NCAA in career passing yards and who could surpass the 12,000-yard mark during the game, is only aided by the Bulldogs rushing attack.

"If they want to focus on stopping me that is fine," Moats said. "If they do that, they will have a hard time slowing Luke (and our passing game) down. I think our balance makes us more dangerous."