Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
WAC
Louisiana Tech scored 52 or more points in six of their first seven games. That included a 57 point effort against Texas A&M. Of course the Bulldogs gave up 59 points in that contest and lost, but the offense kept up with the Aggies. That was Louisiana Tech’s lone loss until the middle of November when Louisiana Tech lost their final two games of the season to Utah State and San Jose State. Those are not bad losses, but they did cost the Coach Sonny Dykes a WAC title and the team’s momentum is heading in the wrong direction.
2012 Record: 9-3, 4-2
Coach: Sonny Dykes
Coach Bowl Record: 0-1
Big Wins: 9/29 at Virginia (44-38), 9/22 at Illinois (52-24)
Bad Losses: 11/17 Utah State (41-48), 11/24 at San Jose State (43-52)
Strengths:
The offense is the obvious strength of this team. Quarterback Colby Cameron passes for nearly 350 yards per game. On the year he totaled 4,147 yards and 31 touchdowns. Those are some impressive numbers, but it gets even better. Cameron completes nearly 69 percent of his passes and has thrown a mere five interceptions. With passing numbers like that, Cameron has a handful of great receivers at his disposal. Quinton Patton is the best of the bunch and has caught 104 passes for 1,392 yards and 13 scores. Myles White is second on the team with 56 receptions for 718 yards and six touchdowns. Hunter Lee and D.J. Banks, who is also a superb kick and punt returner, are dangerous receiving threats as well. The air attack is amazing, but the opposition cannot overlook running backs Kenneth Dixon and Ray Holley. Dixon rushed for 1,194 yards and an impressive 27 touchdowns and Holley added 740 yards with seven trips to the end zone. The opposing defense must pick their poison against the Bulldogs.
Weaknesses:
When a team puts up 51.5 points per game, the secondary is going to be tested. Le’Vander Liggins, Quinn Giles, Dave Clark, Chad Boyd and Bryson Abraham, among others, do a pretty good job considering all the passes they must defend. Giving up that many yards would be a little bit better if the Louisiana Tech defense could create some turnovers. But they generally do not do so. The team picked off just ten passes this season. They did recover 15 fumbles and rarely turn the ball over themselves, so the turnover margin is great, but the defense needs to make some big plays a few times a game to get off the field and give their offense an extra possession or two.
Statistical Leaders:
Rushing: Kenneth Dixon, RB, 1,194 yards
Passing: Colby Cameron, QB, 4,147 yards
Receiving: Quinton Patton, WR, 1,392 yards
Tackles: Jamel Johnson, S, 79
Sacks: Ik Enemkpali, DE, 6.0
Interceptions: Jamel Johnson, S, 2; Le’Vander Liggins, CB, 2
2012 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 227.17 (17th in nation, 1st in conference)
Passing Offense: 350.75 (4, 1)
Total Offense: 577.92 (1, 1)
Scoring Offense: 51.50 (1, 1)
Rushing Defense: 185.67 (85, 3)
Pass Defense: 340.42 (119, 5)
Total Defense: 526.08 (120, 5)
Scoring Defense: 38.50 (115, 4)
Turnover Margin: 1.08 (12, 1)
Sacks: 1.58 (87, 3)
Sacks Allowed: .83 (8, 1)
Recent Bowl Appearances:
2011 Poinsettia Bowl TCU (24-31)
2008 Independence Bowl Northern Illinois (17-10)
2001 Humanitarian Bowl Clemson (24-49)
1990 Independence Bowl Maryland (34-34)
1978 Independence Bowl East Carolina (13-35)
*all team stats through 11/24
