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Bulldogs Face Aggies, Weather in Logan


 

  
Posted Nov 4, 2005 17:34:27


Bulldogs Face Aggies, Weather in Logan

LOGAN, Utah – Despite Utah State’s unimpressive 2-5 mark, Louisiana Tech will face plenty of challenges Saturday at 2 p.m. when the Bulldogs (4-3, 3-1 WAC) take on the Aggies at Romney Stadium in a game that will be televised live on Cox Sports Television.

Utah State (2-5, 1-3 WAC) enters the contest after three straight losses, although the Aggies faced their toughest three-game stretch of the season falling to No. 24 Fresno State (53-21), Boise State (45-21) and No. 5 Alabama (35-3) the last three weekends.

Not only will Tech face a Utah State team that is desperate for a win but the Bulldogs will also have to overcome Mother Nature as weather projections are calling for highs in the low 40s and possible rain.

“Anytime you go on the road, you’re up against tough odds,” said Tech head coach Jack Bicknell. “We can’t worry about the weather. We have to come out and execute and get the job done regardless of what challenges we face. It’s time for us to find a way to win on the road.”

Tech, which trails the series against Utah State 0-2, is 4-0 at home this year but winless on the road in three attempts. Bicknell and Co. will have to find a way to win without the services of sophomore running back Freddie Franklin, who didn’t make the trip due to an injury suffered last week in a win over San Jose State.

Mark Dillard (90-420-6) and Patrick Jackson (58-246-4) will carry the load in the backfield for the Bulldogs, who are averaging 154.1 yards per game on the ground, and who will be facing a Utah State defense that ranks fourth in the WAC against the rush.

Louisiana Tech’s defense, which ranks second in the league in pass defense, total defense and scoring defense and third in rush defense, will look to stop a Utah State offense that is ranked dead last in the WAC in passing offense and total offense and eighth in scoring offense.

The game can be heard on KXKZ-FM 107.5 and KEEL-AM 710 (Shreveport) and via the Internet at www.z1075fm.com with Dave Nitz and Malcolm Butler providing the play by play and color commentary.

Sean Fox and Nick White will begin the day with the two-hour Tech Game Day Radio Show at 11 a.m. followed by Nitz and Butler with the one-hour pregame show starting at 1 p.m.