Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football

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Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football
2015 Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football team
LA Tech wordmark.png
First season 1901
Athletic director Tommy McClelland
Head coach Skip Holtz
3rd year, 22–17 (.564)
Other staff Todd Fitch (OC)
Blake Baker (DC)
Stadium Joe Aillet Stadium
Year built 1968
Seating capacity 28,019
Field surface FieldTurf
Location Ruston, Louisiana
Conference C-USA (2013–present)
Division West (2013–present)
Past conferences WAC (2001–2012)
Big West (1993–1995)
Southland (1971–1986)
Gulf States (1948–1970)
LIC (1939–1947)
SIAA (1925–1941)
LIAA (1915–1925)
All-time record 596–446–39 (.569)
Bowl record 4–3–1 (.563)
Claimed nat'l titles 3 (Division II) (1972, 1973, 1974)
Conference titles 25
Division titles 1
Consensus All-Americans 3
Current uniform
275px
Fight song Tech Fight
Mascot Tech (live)
Champ (costumed)
Marching band Band of Pride
Outfitter Nike
Rivals Southern Miss
Website LaTechSports.com

The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football program represents Louisiana Tech University in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division I-A) level. After 12 seasons in the Western Athletic Conference, Louisiana Tech began competing as a member of Conference USA in 2013. Since 2013, the Bulldogs have been coached by Skip Holtz. Since 1968, the Bulldogs have played their home games at Joe Aillet Stadium. Since the Bulldogs first season in 1901, Louisiana Tech has compiled an all-time record of 596 wins, 446 losses, and 39 ties. In 111 football seasons, the Bulldogs have won 3 Division II national championships, won 25 conference championships, and played in 23 postseason games including 8 major college bowl games. Louisiana Tech has defeated at least one team from each of the current 10 FBS conferences, and Louisiana Tech is the only team from a non-AQ conference to defeat an SEC champion in the BCS era as the Bulldogs defeated Alabama in 1999.

History

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See also: List of Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football seasons

Conference affiliations

Championships

National championships

Louisiana Tech claims three football national titles. From 1964 to 1972, four regional bowl games were played that led up to a wire service poll to determine the final champion of Division II's predecessor, the NCAA College Division. In 1972, Louisiana Tech beat Tennessee Tech 35-0 in the Grantland Rice Bowl to win the Mideast Regional Championship. The Bulldogs finished the 1972 season undefeated at 12-0 and were subsequently named 1972 College Division National Champions by the National Football Foundation. Despite not playing in a regional championship, Delaware was named 1972 NCAA College Division National Champions by the Associated Press and United Press International. A playoff series was started in 1973 to determine the Division II champion. In the inaugural Division II football playoffs, Louisiana Tech beat Western Illinois in the quarterfinals and Boise State in the Pioneer Bowl semifinals. Tech advanced to the championship game to beat Western Kentucky 34-0 and finished the season with a 12-1 record as 1973 NCAA Division II National Champions. In 1974, the UPI did not recognize the winner of the playoffs, Central Michigan, as national champions. Instead, the UPI presented the 1974 Division II national title to Louisiana Tech, who finished with an 11-1 record.

File:Latechnationalchamps1973.jpg
1973 National Champions license plate
Year Overall Record Conference Record Coach Selector
1972 12–0–0 5–0–0 Maxie Lambright National Football Foundation College Division
1973 12–1–0 5–0–0 Maxie Lambright NCAA Division II
1974 11–1–0 5–0–0 Maxie Lambright United Press International College Division

Regional championships

Louisiana Tech won three regional football championships. From 1964 to 1972, four regional bowl games were played that led up to a wire service poll to determine the final champion of Division II's predecessor, the NCAA College Division. In 1968, Louisiana Tech beat Akron 33-13 in the Grantland Rice Bowl to become Mideast Regional Champions. In 1971, Louisiana Tech defeated Eastern Michigan 14-3 in the Pioneer Bowl to become Midwest Regional Champions. In 1972, Louisiana Tech beat Tennessee Tech 35-0 in the Grantland Rice Bowl to win the Mideast Regional Championship.

Year Overall Record Conference Record Coach Region
1968 9–2–0 3-2-0 Maxie Lambright Mideast
1971 9–2–0 4–1–0 Maxie Lambright Midwest
1972 12–0–0 5–0–0 Maxie Lambright Mideast

Conference championships

Louisiana Tech has won 25 conference championships despite competing in 24 seasons as an independent. The Bulldogs have won 2 Louisiana Intercollegiate Athletic Association championships, 3 Louisiana Intercollegiate championships, 10 Gulf States championships, 8 Southland championships, and 2 WAC championships. It is of note that Tech finished with a 9–2 record in 1997, the best record of the 9 Division I-A Independents. In 1999 Tech finished with an 8–3 record, the only one of the 7 Division I-A Independents with a winning record.

File:Latechwacchamps2001.jpg
Louisiana Tech 2001 WAC Champions billboard
Year Overall Record Conference Record Coach Conference
1915 3–1–2 2–0–1 Percy S. Prince Louisiana Intercollegiate Athletic Association
1921 6–0–0 3–0–0 R. Foster Clark Louisiana Intercollegiate Athletic Association
1941 5–4–1 4–0–0 Joe Aillet Louisiana Intercollegiate Conference
1945 6–4–0 3–1–0 Joe Aillet Louisiana Intercollegiate Conference
1947 5–4–0 4–0–0 Joe Aillet Louisiana Intercollegiate Conference
1949 7–2–0 5–0–0 Joe Aillet Gulf States Conference
1952† 6–1–2 3–0–2 Joe Aillet Gulf States Conference
1953† 6–3–0 5–1–0 Joe Aillet Gulf States Conference
1955 9–1–0 6–0–0 Joe Aillet Gulf States Conference
1957† 6–4–0 4–1–0 Joe Aillet Gulf States Conference
1958† 7–3–0 4–1–0 Joe Aillet Gulf States Conference
1959 9–1–0 5–0–0 Joe Aillet Gulf States Conference
1960† 8–2–0 4–1–0 Joe Aillet Gulf States Conference
1964 9–1–0 5–0–0 Joe Aillet Gulf States Conference
1969 8–2–0 5–0–0 Maxie Lambright Gulf States Conference
1971 9–2–0 4–1–0 Maxie Lambright Southland Conference
1972 12–0–0 5–0–0 Maxie Lambright Southland Conference
1973 12–1–0 5–0–0 Maxie Lambright Southland Conference
1974 11–1–0 5–0–0 Maxie Lambright Southland Conference
1977 9–1–2 4–0–1 Maxie Lambright Southland Conference
1978 6–5–0 4–1–0 Maxie Lambright Southland Conference
1982 10–3–0 5–0–0 Billy Brewer Southland Conference
1984 10–5–0 5–1–0 A.L. Williams Southland Conference
2001 7–5 7–1 Jack Bicknell III Western Athletic Conference
2011 8–5 6–1 Sonny Dykes Western Athletic Conference
† Denotes co-champions

Division championships

In 2013, Louisiana Tech first joined a conference with football divisions, Conference USA. In the Bulldogs' second season in C-USA, Louisiana Tech won the C-USA West division championship.

Year Overall Record Conference Record Coach Division
2014 9–5 7–1 Skip Holtz Conference USA West

Postseason history

Louisiana Tech has produced an all-time postseason record of 15 wins, 7 losses, and 1 tie in 23 total appearances.

Division II postseason history

Louisiana Tech has played in 9 Division II postseason games and accumulated a record of 7 wins and 2 losses.

Date Game W/L Opponent PF PA
December 13, 1968 Grantland Rice Bowl W Akron 33 13
December 13, 1969 Grantland Rice Bowl L East Tennessee State 14 34
December 11, 1971 Pioneer Bowl W Eastern Michigan 14 3
December 10, 1972 Grantland Rice Bowl W Tennessee Tech 35 0
December 1, 1973 Quarterfinal W Western Illinois 18 13
December 8, 1973 Pioneer Bowl W Boise State 38 34
December 15, 1973 Camellia Bowl W Western Kentucky 34 0
November 30, 1974 Quarterfinal W Western Carolina 10 7
December 7, 1974 Pioneer Bowl L Central Michigan 14 35

Division I-AA playoff history

Louisiana Tech has played in 6 Division I-AA playoff games and accumulated a record of 4 wins and 2 losses.

Date Game W/L Opponent PF PA
December 4, 1982 Quarterfinal W South Carolina State 38 3
December 11, 1982 Semifinal L Delaware 0 17
November 24, 1984 First Round W Mississippi Valley State 66 19
December 1, 1984 Quarterfinal W Alcorn State 44 21
December 8, 1984 Semifinal W Middle Tennessee 21 13
December 15, 1984 Championship L Montana State 6 19

Division I FBS bowl history

File:Latechindybowl2008.png
2008 Independence Bowl

Louisiana Tech has played in 8 Division I FBS bowl games and accumulated a record of 4 wins, 3 losses, and 1 tie.

Date Bowl W/L Opponent PF PA
December 17, 1977 Independence Bowl W Louisville 24 14
December 16, 1978 Independence Bowl L East Carolina 13 35
December 15, 1990 Independence Bowl T Maryland 34 34
December 31, 2001 Humanitarian Bowl L Clemson 24 49
December 28, 2008 Independence Bowl W Northern Illinois 17 10
December 21, 2011 Poinsettia Bowl L TCU 24 31
December 26, 2014 Heart of Dallas Bowl W Illinois 35 18
December 19, 2015 New Orleans Bowl W Arkansas State 47 28

All-time record vs. C-USA teams

Official record (including any NCAA imposed vacates and forfeits) against all current C-USA opponents:

Opponent Won Lost Tied Percentage Streak First Last
Charlotte 0 0 0 – - - -
Florida Atlantic 0 0 0 – - - -
FIU 2 0 0 1.000 Won 2 2013 2015
Marshall 1 1 0 .500 Lost 1 1942 2014
Middle Tennessee 4 1 0 .800 Won 1 1984 2015
North Texas 8 6 0 .571 Won 2 1976 2015
Old Dominion 0 1 0 .000 Lost 1 2014 2014
Rice 5 4 0 .556 Won 2 1965 2015
Southern Miss 15 32 0 .319 Lost 1 1935 2015
UTEP 9 2 1 .792 Won 3 1939 2015
UTSA 3 1 0 .750 Won 2 2012 2015
WKU 3 2 0 .600 Lost 1 1939 2015
Totals 50 50 1 .500

Rivalries

Active rivalries

Southern Miss Golden Eagles

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Main article: Rivalry in Dixie

Louisiana Tech and Southern Miss first played in 1935 and played each season from 1946 until 1972. Tech and USM were conference foes in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association from 1935 to 1941. In addition, Tech and USM were both founding members of the Gulf States Conference which began play in 1948. The Bulldogs and Golden Eagles have played 11 times between 1975 and 1992. In 2008, Louisiana Tech AD-HC Derek Dooley and USM AD Richard Giannini signed a four-game contract to renew the rivalry with the first game being played in Ruston on September 25, 2010. On a rainy Saturday night on September 3, 2011, the Golden Eagles took on the Bulldogs for both teams' season opener on national television. The close matchup ended in Southern Miss' favor, 19-17, due to a late field goal by Southern Miss' Danny Hrapmann. With Tech joining Conference USA, the Dawgs and Eagles continued the series as conference rivals in 2013, with Tech beating Southern Miss 36–13 on November 9.

Louisiana Tech–Southern Miss: All-time record
Games played First meeting Last meeting LaTech wins LaTech losses Ties Win %
47 November 28, 1935 (won 27–0) November 2, 2015 (lost 58–24) 15 32 0 31.9%

Inactive rivalries

Fresno State Bulldogs

File:Techfresnofight.jpg
Fresno State–Louisiana Tech pregame clash in 2004

From 2001 to 2011, the teams played annually as members of the Western Athletic Conference, and Fresno State holds a 7–4 series lead in games played as WAC foes. The rivalry is nicknamed the Battle for the Bone, a term coined because both universities are nicknamed the Bulldogs. Prior to the conference rivalry, the two Bulldog football teams played twice in Fresno with Fresno State defeating Louisiana Tech in 1986 and 1992. Fresno State moved to the Mountain West Conference in 2012 and Louisiana Tech moved to Conference USA in 2013, bringing an end to the rivalry.

Notable games include:

  • In 2004, No. 17 Fresno State entered the game undefeated as the first ever ranked opponent to enter Joe Aillet Stadium in Ruston. Prior to the opening kickoff, a sideline clearing altercation occurred on the field with the coaches and security having to separate the two teams. Led by Ryan Moats who rushed for 236 yards and 4 touchdowns, Louisiana Tech went on to notch their first ever victory over Fresno State 28–21. At the conclusion of the game, the Tech fans rushed the field and brought down the goalposts.
  • In 2005, Louisiana Tech jumped out to a 26-3 halftime lead to shock No. 23 Fresno State at Bulldog Stadium in Fresno. Tech went on to win 40-28 and denied Fresno State their first WAC Championship since 1999.
Louisiana Tech–Fresno State: All-Time Record
Games played First meeting Last meeting LaTech wins LaTech losses Ties Win %
13 September 27, 1986 (lost 10–34) November 5, 2011 (won 41–21) 4 9 0 30.8%

Northwestern State Demons

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Main article: State Fair Game

Louisiana Tech and Northwestern State first played in 1907 and competed annually from 1926 to 1987. The Dawgs and Demons played in the annual Louisiana State Fair Game in Shreveport's Independence Stadium (formerly State Fair Stadium) from 1946 to 1987. Before each game, an all-day pregame party called "Rally in the Alley" took place in Shreve Square near the Texas Street Bridge. After each game, fans enjoyed the rides and games at the State Fair of Louisiana. In the last 18 meetings of the series, Louisiana Tech has amassed a record of 16–1–1 against Northwestern State. In 1988, the longstanding rivalry came to an end when Louisiana Tech transitioned into Division I-A leaving Northwestern State behind in Division I-AA. After a 20-year hiatus, Louisiana Tech hosted the Northwestern State Demons at Joe Aillet Stadium on September 20, 2014.

Louisiana Tech–Northwestern State: All-Time Record
Games played First meeting Last meeting LaTech wins LaTech losses Ties Win %
78 1907 (won 43–4) September 20, 2014 (lost 27–30) 53 20 5 72.6%

Home stadiums

Joe Aillet Stadium (1968–present)

Joe Aillet Stadium

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Main article: Joe Aillet Stadium

Louisiana Tech plays home games at Joe Aillet Stadium, which has garnered the nickname The Joe. The stadium is located on the campus of Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, Louisiana. Led by quarterback Terry Bradshaw, the Bulldogs christened Louisiana Tech Stadium with a 35–7 victory over East Carolina on September 28, 1968. The stadium was given its current namesake in 1972 to honor Hall of Fame coach Joe Aillet. The stadium opened with a capacity of 23,000, and additional seating was added to increase capacity to 30,600 in 1989. The stadium was upgraded in 1985 with the addition of the luxury sky box. In 1997 the stadium's attendance record of 28,714 was set against Northeast Louisiana. A new lighting system was installed in 2006. After playing the first 38 seasons in Aillet Stadium on natural grass, FieldTurf was installed in 2006. The FieldTurf was subsequently replaced in 2008 and again in 2015. In 2009 Louisiana Tech installed the largest high definition video board in the WAC covering 1,485 digital square feet behind the north end zone of the stadium at a cost of $2 million. In 2014 capacity was reduced to 27,717 while the area behind the south end zone of Joe Aillet Stadium was under construction. The $22 million 70,000 square foot Davison Athletics Complex was completed the following year increasing capacity to 28,019 for the 2015 season.

Independence Stadium (alternate, 1928–present)

File:Independencestadium.png
2008 Independence Bowl – Louisiana Tech 17, Northern Illinois 10

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Main article: Independence Stadium (Shreveport)

Louisiana Tech occasionally hosts games at Independence Stadium in Shreveport, Louisiana. The Bulldogs have played 71 games in Independence Stadium including 4 trips to the Independence Bowl and have produced an all-time record of 45–23–3 at Independence Stadium. Tech has hosted many teams in Independence Stadium during the regular season including Southern Miss, North Texas, Tulsa, Houston, Baylor, California, Texas A&M, SMU, Oklahoma State, Miami, UTEP, and Grambling State. Louisiana Tech's regular season home attendance record of 43,279 was set in 2003 against the Miami Hurricanes in a nationally televised game on ESPN. The 1990 Independence Bowl featuring Tech and Maryland drew 48,325 fans, the record attendance for a Louisiana Tech game in Independence Stadium. The stadium's capacity is 50,459. During the 2012 season, No. 23 Louisiana Tech hosted No. 22 Texas A&M in Independence Stadium on ESPNU in an epic battle in which the Aggies led by Johnny Manziel prevailed, 59-57. This game was ranked by ESPN as the No. 8 game of the 2012 season.[1]

Traditions

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Main article: Traditions of Louisiana Tech University

Band of Pride

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Main article: Band of Pride

The Band of Pride is the official marching band of Louisiana Tech University. Since its inception in 1906, the band has grown to approximately 200 members. The Band of Pride performs at all home football games, select road games, pep rallies, and various university events throughout the year.

Spirit of '88

File:Spiritof88.jpg
The Spirit of '88 Bulldog

At the south end of Joe Aillet Stadium stands a bronze Bulldog statue named the Spirit of '88. The statue commemorates the 1988 Bulldog football team which blazed the path into Division I-A football for Louisiana Tech. The 1988 team had to endure one of the most difficult schedules in school history while playing with only 65 scholarships - the allotted amount for Division I-AA teams. In what was the nation's 11th toughest schedule that year, the Bulldogs faced five I-A bowl teams including Houston, Florida State and Texas A&M. The results were as expected: losses like 60-0, 56-17 and 66-3. Those experiences likely played a key role in Tech finishing 4-6 the following year, its first in Division I-A, and then 8-3-1 in 1990 and an Independence Bowl berth. The statue, which every Bulldog player touches as he walks down the ramp before every home game, has also brought good fortune to the Bulldogs at Joe Aillet Stadium. On October 14, 1989, when it was unveiled, Tech proceeded to pummel a highly respected Northern Illinois team by the score of 42-21. The Bulldogs eventually reeled off 18 consecutive home victories, tying the all-time stadium record set by head coach Maxie Lambright's great teams of the early 1970s.

Fire Bell

Fire Bell and Tech XX

In 1879, the Fire Bell was cast by L.M. Rumsey & Co. in St. Louis, Missouri. Founded in 1897, the Ruston Fire Department was called to fires by ringing the Fire Bell that hung in a wooden tower behind Perkins Drug Store located at 116 N. Trenton Street. The Fire Bell was used for many years in Ruston to alert the town of burning fires. After Joe Aillet Stadium was built in 1968, the old Fire Bell was transported to the stadium atop the hill in the south end zone. The Fire Bell is rung before every football game to commemorate the bravery of the bulldog that perished saving the lives of the two Tech students in the burning house in 1899, and the Fire Bell calls the Bulldogs to battle before every home football game.

Tech

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Main article: Tech (mascot)

Tech is the name of the fawn and white lineage of English bulldogs which have served as Louisiana Tech's live mascot since 1930. In 1930, a rescued bullpup named Tech I was donated to serve as Louisiana Tech's first live mascot by the family of two football players, Henry and Thomas Matthews. Tech is owned by the Louisiana Tech Student Government Association and resides with either a faculty member or local alumnus selected by the SGA. The current live mascot is Tech XXI.

Players

Heisman Trophy voting history

Year Player Place Votes
1999 Tim Rattay 10th 29

NFL champions

Terry Bradshaw

Fifteen former Bulldogs have won 22 NFL championship rings.

NFL Draft

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Main article: List of Louisiana Tech Bulldogs in the NFL Draft

Louisiana Tech has had 70 players drafted into the National Football League (NFL) since the league began holding drafts in 1936. Five Bulldogs have been selected in the first round including Terry Bradshaw, Roger Carr, Willie Roaf, Troy Edwards, and Vernon Butler. Bradshaw was the overall number one pick in 1970. Tech had three players selected in the most recent NFL Draft, DT Vernon Bulter, RB Kenneth Dixon, and QB Jeff Driskel.

Current NFL players

Current CFL players

Current AFL players

Former players

Head coaches

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Main article: List of Louisiana Tech Bulldogs head football coaches

On December 5, 2012, Louisiana Tech head football coach Sonny Dykes was hired to replace Jeff Tedford as the next California Golden Bears head football coach. On December 14, 2012, Louisiana Tech hired former South Florida Bulls head coach Skip Holtz to succeed Dykes as the 33rd head football coach in Louisiana Tech history.

College Football Hall of Fame

Notes

Future schedules

Announced schedules as of January 22, 2016

2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 Delayed
9/3 at Arkansas 9/2 vs. Northwestern State 9/1 at South Alabama 8/31 at Texas 9/5 at UNLV 9/4 at Mississippi State 9/10 at Baylor TBA vs. BYU
9/10 vs. South Carolina State 9/9 vs. Mississippi State 9/15 at Mississippi State 9/14 at Bowling Green 9/12 at Baylor 9/11 vs. Baylor 9/24 at Clemson TBA at BYU
9/17 at Texas Tech 9/23 at South Carolina 9/22 vs. Bowling Green 10/19 vs. UMass TBA TBA TBA
10/15 at UMass 9/30 vs. South Alabama 10/20 at LSU TBA TBA TBA TBA

Sources:[2][3][4]

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://www.latechsports.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/070813aae.html, ESPN ranks Louisiana Tech-Texas A&M as No. 8 game of 2012
  2. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

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