The Bulldogs learned a painful lesson in
bowl finances this season.
They finished 7-4 overall and 6-2 in the WAC,
tied for third, but are one of seven
bowl-eligible teams not going to a bowl
game. Their isolated location and small fan
base didn't help their cause.
The Bulldogs tied with Fresno State in the
WAC. They beat Fresno, too, but Fresno State
accepted a bowl bid when it was ranked No.
16 in the country and was 6-0 in the WAC --
leaving no room for Louisiana Tech. The WAC
only guarantees berths to its top two teams.
That's the only downer in an otherwise
successful season for the Bulldogs, who
hadn't posted a winning record since 2001.
Coach Jack Bicknell's job was on the line
after a three-year mark of 15-21 since
winning the 2001 WAC title, but he seems
safe now.
The Bulldogs' losses were to Florida, Kansas
and co-WAC champs Boise State and Nevada.
They lost only once at home, to Boise State.
GAME OF THE YEAR: The Bulldogs traveled
to No. 22 Fresno State with nothing on the
line, six days after a tough home loss to
Boise State. It looked like a recipe for
disaster -- and it was, for Fresno State.
Louisiana Tech dominated the game from the
start, winning 40-28. The Bulldogs grabbed
four turnovers in the first half to key the
victory.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Linebacker
Barry
Robertson racked up 103 tackles, three
sacks, one interception and six pass
breakups. He was an intimidating presence in
the middle of the field who took some of the
pressure off of, and overshadowed, fellow
standout linebacker Byron Santiago.
RAPID REVIEW: The Bulldogs went 7-4 and
beat a Top 25 team -- Fresno State -- but it
was the lack of key plays made in two WAC
games that prevented them from winning a
championship. The Bulldogs were in position
at halftime to beat Nevada and Boise State,
but they let both games slip away.
FAST FORWARD: The Bulldogs were a rare
senior-laden team in the WAC this season.
They lose more than half their starters and
will be particularly hard hit on defense.
The losses include both quarterbacks with
any experience, star linebackers
Barry
Robertson and Byron Santiago and standout
cornerback Tramon Williams.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I guess they saw we had a
weakness somewhere, and they kept attacking
it." -- Louisiana Tech safety Dez Abrams
after Boise State ran the ball on 32 of the
last 33 plays to beat the Bulldogs in
Ruston, La.
PLAYERS TO WATCH IN 2006: RB Freddie
Franklin -- He came back from an ankle
injury to dazzle in the season finale
against Fresno State. It's a crowded
backfield for La. Tech, but he has
tremendous talent. He averaged 4.9 yards on
just 91 carries during his sophomore season.
LB Brannon Jackson -- He'll return as a
junior and will be surrounded by new
starting linebackers. He'll need to help
fill the 182-tackle, 5.5-sack,
six-forced-fumble void created by the
departures of
Barry
Robertson and Byron
Santiago.
CANDIDATES FOR NEXT LEVEL: LB
Barry
Robertson -- The 6-foot-3, 221-pounder was a
force during his senior season.
LB Byron Santiago -- His numbers were down
as a senior, but he was a tremendous
playmaker throughout his career at Louisiana
Tech. He forced six fumbles this year.
CB Tramon Williams -- The WAC's top
cornerback had 16 pass breakups and three
interceptions as a senior.
ROSTER REPORT: The Bulldogs lose both
quarterbacks who have Division I-A
experience -- seniors Matt Kubik and Donald
Allen. That means for the second time in
three years, the Bulldogs will start a
quarterback with no significant I-A
experience next year. Zac Champion, who will
be a junior, has thrown eight passes in his
career.
