From the LaTech website
Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2004 4:24 pmBicknell, Bulldogs Not Overlooking SMU
RUSTON - No one associated with the Louisiana Tech football program is overlooking this weekend's contest against SMU (1-4, 1-1 WAC) in Dallas.
Bulldog head coach Jack Bicknell and the entire coaching staff are making sure of it by simply reminding the team of its 37-34 loss to the then-winless Mustangs in 2002.
"Two years ago, they were 0-7 and we thought that they would be a pushover and they weren't," said senior safety and Dallas, Texas, native Michael Johnson. "We came out of that game with a loss, and it pretty much ended our season. I know this team will come out focused."
During that contest in 2002, Tech entered the game with a 1-1 WAC record and in the middle of the race relatively early in the year. However, the loss seemed to take much of the swagger out of that Bulldog team as it never recovered.
Although this is a new season and a different team, Tech will once again have plenty riding on the game as the Bulldogs are one of only two teams left in the WAC without a conference loss.
"I don't think you can put too much emphasis on that game," Bicknell said. "You can use it to remind these players that anyone can beat anyone on any given day, but for the most part, a large majority of these guys didn't play in that contest. We have to focus on playing a complete game this year."
Junior running back Ryan Moats spent most of Tuesday in the Dr. William Bundrick Sports Medicine Center undergoing treatments in hopes of being ready to play on Saturday. The Dallas, Texas, native ranks third in the country in rushing yards per game despite totaling zero yards against Auburn in only three carries.
Kickoff for the game is 5 p.m. The contest will be televised on Cox Sports TV and as part of ESPN Gameplan package for the weekend.
RUSTON - No one associated with the Louisiana Tech football program is overlooking this weekend's contest against SMU (1-4, 1-1 WAC) in Dallas.
Bulldog head coach Jack Bicknell and the entire coaching staff are making sure of it by simply reminding the team of its 37-34 loss to the then-winless Mustangs in 2002.
"Two years ago, they were 0-7 and we thought that they would be a pushover and they weren't," said senior safety and Dallas, Texas, native Michael Johnson. "We came out of that game with a loss, and it pretty much ended our season. I know this team will come out focused."
During that contest in 2002, Tech entered the game with a 1-1 WAC record and in the middle of the race relatively early in the year. However, the loss seemed to take much of the swagger out of that Bulldog team as it never recovered.
Although this is a new season and a different team, Tech will once again have plenty riding on the game as the Bulldogs are one of only two teams left in the WAC without a conference loss.
"I don't think you can put too much emphasis on that game," Bicknell said. "You can use it to remind these players that anyone can beat anyone on any given day, but for the most part, a large majority of these guys didn't play in that contest. We have to focus on playing a complete game this year."
Junior running back Ryan Moats spent most of Tuesday in the Dr. William Bundrick Sports Medicine Center undergoing treatments in hopes of being ready to play on Saturday. The Dallas, Texas, native ranks third in the country in rushing yards per game despite totaling zero yards against Auburn in only three carries.
Kickoff for the game is 5 p.m. The contest will be televised on Cox Sports TV and as part of ESPN Gameplan package for the weekend.