The Book: 2004 FOOTBALL

<blockquote><p align=justify>RUSTON - On a night when the Louisiana Tech offense failed to potentially put the contest away in the first half, it was the Bulldog defense that made the play that won the game.

With UL-Lafayette driving deep in Tech territory in the final minute of play, junior linebacker Barry Robertson tackled wide receiver Dwight Linden on the Bulldog seven yard line as time ran out on the timeout-less Ragin' Cajuns, giving Tech a 24-20 win before 22,467 fans at Joe Aillet Stadium.

"I have never been through a game like that and I don't want to go through a game like that again," said Tech head coach Jack Bicknell, who saw his team improve to 2-0 on the year. "It seems like every big play we had there was a flag. It was a tough nasty game but we came out of it with a win."

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Robertson's tackle ended a UL-Lafayette drive that started with 4:18 to play on its own 11-yard line. However, 18 plays and 82 yards later, it was the Tech defense that made a name for itself for the second straight weekend.

The Bulldogs looked dominant early on. Tech recorded 145 offensive yards in the opening 15 minutes of play but failed to score on three straight possessions inside UL-Lafayette territory.

On the first possession, the Ragin' Cajuns recovered a Tech fumble on their own three yard line. On its next possession, Tech quarterback Donald Allen made his one poor pass of the night which was intercepted by Ricky Thomas on the UL-Lafayette seven yard line.

Tech's third offensive possession ended with a Ryan Moats fumble on the Ragin' Cajuns seven-yard line.

"When you have three turnovers in the red zone in the first quarter, it's a nightmare," Bicknell said. "You almost figure that it is just not your day. We obviously have to get a lot better. But we are 2-0 trying to get better and that is a good feeling."

For the second straight game, Moats stole the show offensively, rushing 34 times for 257 yards and one score. It was the second straight game of 257 yards and Moats' fourth of over 200 yards in his career, setting a new Bulldog record for 200-yard games.

"It feels good to get the win," Moats said. "Those were the type of games last year we did not win. That was a fun win."

Tech jumped out to a 17-0 lead late in the second quarter thanks to a Brad Oestriecher 30-yard field goal, an Erick Franklin 19-yard touchdown pass from Allen and a Moats 13-yard run.

However, UL-Lafayette closed the game to 17-7 late in the half on a Jerry Babb one-yard run, giving the Cajuns the momentum. Thirteen straight Cajun points in the third quarter gave UL-Lafayette a 20-17 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

The Bulldogs responded, marching 86 yards in 13 plays to regain the lead on an Allen three-yard touchdown run with 10:49 to play. Making his first career start for Tech, Allen finished the game completing 17 of 28 passes for 193 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

The Bulldogs travel to Miami to face the Hurricanes at noo
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I thought the Cajuns were awesome after the first quarter Saturday

There are many reasons the Cajuns should have lost, and yeah you will hear how Tech squandered a 17-point lead, but the point where Louisiana failed to win (in my view) is NOT when time ran out.

They failed to win when they they settled for 3 instead of getting a TD after Spann's fantastic return.

I know it was a fantastic rush and Jerry was sacked for a 10 yard loss, but a TD there and I promise you the Cajuns would have won. Yeah I know the game would have had different twists and turns, but at the end they easily would have made the needed easy FG.

Louisiana's defense has allowed 7 points in the 2nd half this year.

Turbine, my fried, I respectfully disagree with you. Babb had taken a shot and was a little wobbly. In my opinion we had no alternative but to go for three points. We should have been able to score a TD with the three snaps from the seven yard line. Had we done this I feel almost certain that we could have sewed up the game at that point. Also,the time clock management by the officials at the end of the game left a lot to be desired. There were a couple of instances where at least seconds could have been added to the clock.It was helluva game, a helluva loss, Moats is a helluva running back, and it was a helluva long ride home, even though I was on the Alumni sponsored bus.

Charlie you are correct. For a while it looked like Babb was out for the remainer of the game. Sniewski was on the sideline warming up. He was also taking practice snaps from center. I was very worried for a while.

I'm proud of my boys, they didn't fold up and quit once they fell behind 17 points. They fought back and gave themselves a chance to win.

The "bubble screen" was the difference tonight. You knew Moats would get his yards... but they have no confidence in their QB. All his yards were YAC.

Upset that we let it get away, but proud of the showing

Probably not worth much, but congrats on a well played game that could have gone either way. I was impressed with the speed of your defense and, obviously, Babb and Sampy.

It was great having your fans and band in attendance last night and I wish we played more often. Good luck for the remainder of the season and I hope to see Cajun fans at the LSU tournament in Baton Rouge in November.

Thanks Buddy1972, you must not be a member of BB&B.

Buddy- It was one heckuva game. Could have gone either way. Moat is as fine a running back as I have seen in a long time. Hopefully, for Tech's sake, he stays healthy for the rest of the season.
We will have some fans in BR for the "tournament." After our run in with the tigers at the regional BB game, a couple of years ago, I swore I would never attend another athletic at the "evil empire". I should have known better. My mother told me once never to say never. It will come back to make you eat your words. She was right. I'll make an exception for this athletic event.
Thanks for the kind words and good luck the rest of the way in the WAC.

I don't post a lot, but I've been a member of BB&B for about four years. Not all BB&Bers are delusional and a significant number really enjoy our rivalry with the Cajuns.

Made the trip to Ruston last night.

Enjoyed myself thoroughly.

Best of Luck to the Bulldogs...

Z.
:)