2011: 8-5 (6-1, WAC Champions)
The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs won the program’s second WAC championship in 2011 thanks to a potent offense, and a defense that combined for 32 quarterback sacks and 21 interceptions.
The Bulldogs are loaded with talent and must be considered the early favorite to win the WAC once again.
Louisiana Tech only loses three offensive starters from last year’s team – lead running back Lennon Creer, No. 2 receiver Taulib Ikharo, and lineman Kris Cavitt.
The other eight all return as seniors looking to end their collegiate playing careers on a high note.
Quinton Patton will lead a Bulldogs receiving core that is fully intact, sans Ikharo.
Patton was a first-team All-WAC and All-Louisiana selection last year, and was named to the Biletnikoff Award Watch List entering 2012. Patton caught 79 passes for 1,202 yards and 11 touchdowns, leading the team in all categories.
Four of the starting five offensive lineman return, including center Stephen Warner who was named to the first-team all-WAC. He enters 2012 on the Outland Trophy, Rimington Trophy, and Lombardi Award Watch Lists.
The Louisiana Tech defense returns six starters from 2011, including four of the five members of the secondary.
However defensive lineman Matt Broha and Christian Lacey, possibly the two most important members of the defense, will not be returning. Broha and Lacey combined for 16 of the team’s 32 sacks.
Louisiana Tech’s kicking game is just as strong as their other two units.
Bulldogs punter Ryan Allen won the 2011 Ray Guy Award, becoming only the second Louisiana Tech player to win any sort of national award.
Field goal kicker Matt Nelson was named to the All-WAC second team. Nelson converted 15-of-21 field goals and kicked a season-long field goal of 47 yards.
Louisiana Tech retains their whole coaching staff for the third straight year. They are one of only 14 FBS schools to not make a single coaching change entering 2012.
The experience and talent of the players and coaches should carry the Bulldogs to another bowl game and potentially another WAC title.
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