Wednesday September 27, 2006

Louisiana Tech Notes, Clemson Notes, Recruiting Notes

Louisiana Tech Notes
The Nebraska Game
Tech opened its season in Lincoln, NE and got hammered 49-10. The contest was 14-10 until the last 10 seconds of the first half when the Huskers scored and took a 21-10 lead into the halftime. The running game was the major difference in the contest as the Huskers out rushed Tech 252-67. Nebraska amassed 584 yards of total offense against La. Tech on the day.

The Nichols State Game
Louisiana Tech got its only win of the season so far in its only home game so far this season. The Bulldogs got down 21-7 in the first quarter but rallied for a 31-21 win. The Tech defense held Nichols State to 224 yards of total offense. Patrick Jackson had 116 yards rushing to help lead La Tech.

The Texas A&M Game
Louisiana Tech jumped out to a 7-0 lead in College Station but eventually gave up 489 yards of total offense to the Aggies in a 45-14 loss. Tech went just 2 of 14 on third down conversions in the loss. The game was delayed two hours for inclement weather.

Tech Tidbits
Louisiana Tech plays just four home games this season. The eight road games are against national powers like Nebraska, Texas A&M, Clemson and Boise State.

The Bulldogs are 2-8-1 against current ACC teams with their only two wins coming against Florida State.

Bulldogs quarterback Zac Champion has passed for over 200 yards in all three contests this season.

Tech moved to Division I-A in 1989 and is 3-28 against ranked teams since. Two of their three wins over ranked opponents came against Fresno State and the other came against Alabama.

The Bulldogs have faired much better on offense this season than on the other side of the ball. Tech is ranked 42nd nationally in passing offense, 68th in total offense, 85th in rushing offense and 90th in scoring offense. The defense is ranked 103rd against the run, 118th against the pass, 111th in total defense and 114th in scoring defense.

Tech is 104th in net punting and tied for 85th in turnover margin.

Tiger News and Notes
I talked to some players yesterday and got the feeling that they sensed something big is happening right now at Clemson. The confidence is growing and the entire program has a feel that it is about to explode.

I had a chance to talk to Anthony Waters last night and he said he had surgery last Wednesday and starting rehabbing the next day. He said the doctors told him that his knee looked much better than they anticipated. He said there was nothing to clean out of there and he said he felt the rehab will go great. Waters said he was told he could be back in two months and maybe get a chance to play in the bowl game but he also said that was a very slim chance of really happening that fast. He did say that he came back to graduate as well and will be graduating in December. Waters said he thinks he will be back in time for pro scouts in the spring and should be at full speed by the time the combine rolls around.

The staff feels great about Michael Hamlin’s rehab. The starting safety is on schedule to return next week. I have not been able to get a feel for what Tramaine Billie is thinking at the moment. I get the feeling the staff wants Billie to red-shirt but he might want to play.

I talked to a couple of sources about the recruiting efforts of the staff this week and they feel everything is on schedule for one of the best classes in school history. Clemson is limited in the number of scholarships but could take as many as seven more commitments. Tight end Rob Gronkowski, wide receiver Markish Jones, offensive lineman Chris Little, defensive end Cliff Matthews, safety Chris Culliver, linebackers Chris Walker and Lorenzo Edwards are the ones that are currently at the top of the board for remaining uncommitted players at their positions.

Speaking of recruiting, I did not see Willy Korn’s effort against Dorman last Friday night but some have called it his best game yet. I can’t wait to see the film. I had a nice, brief conversation with Korn on Saturday that I will write about soon. In that conversation he found another way to impress me.

Tom Winkopp Update
I wanted thank Tom and all of the guys that made me and my family feel so welcomed once again this past Saturday. It was great seeing the Tigers pound UNC but the day was complete by watching my family tailgate with Tom and all of the people he works with. I want to encourage all those that are thinking about tailgating at The Park at Valley Walk to ask the “park now and pay later option.” My wife and daughter loved The Park at Valley Walk. The first game of the season we had my mom, dad, sister and nieces up and they had a blast there. I highly recommend The Park at Valley Walk as the best tailgating spot in Clemson.

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