Another LaTech story

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Defense, kicking, QB keys for Tech as WAC heats up
Scott Beder

RUSTON - The schedule says it is the seventh game of the year, but this Saturday's game at SMU signifies the beginning a new season for the Louisiana Tech football team.

Starting with SMU, Tech begins the heart of its Western Athletic Conference slate and what it hopes is a run at the WAC title.

Tech finished the first half of the season with a 3-3 overall record and 2-0 WAC mark. The first six games featured non-conference contests against No. 3 Miami, No. 13 Tennessee and No. 4 Auburn.

The Bulldogs survived the brutal non-conference run and find themselves tied for first in the WAC. The general consensus in Tech camp is the first half of the season was a success. Now it's time for the stretch run.

"In my mind there are two separate (seasons)," Tech coach Jack Bicknell said. "The first half is over and now it's time to get serious. Now the season really begins this Saturday."

By winning their first two WAC games against Nevada and Fresno State, the Bulldogs now control their own destiny. Winning a second WAC title in the last four years is in their hands.

"Right now it's put up or shut up time," senior receiver Julius Cosby said. "Right now we're 2-0 in the conference and everybody on the team wants to finish this conference off."

After Saturday's 52-7 loss at Auburn, there is a certain amount of relief that the battles with the Top 10 are now over and the focus now shifts.

"It's not a huge sigh of relief by no means," senior linebacker John Nash said. "But now every game has implications for what we want to do the rest of the season and after. Everything comes through us. The rest of the season and a championship are determined strictly on what we do from here on out."

Said senior defensive lineman Jemelle Cage: "The WAC is a whole different season. Now we're playing for something. We have to stay focused and can't take anyone lightly."

Now that the Bulldogs are at the halfway point of the season, it's time to take a look where the team stands in regards to its three biggest question marks entering the season - the quarterback situation, the overhauled defense and the kicking game.

* In last three weeks, the quarterback position has stabilized under the steady hand of junior Matt Kubik.

Kubik started the season opener against Nevada, but was replaced by Donald Allen, who started the next three games. Allen showed the ability to make plays down field and showed great athletic ability, but was injured on the third play of the Tennessee game.

Given a second chance to play, Kubik has settled in nicely.

"I'm very happy with Matt Kubik," Bicknell said. "Matt showed a lot last Saturday. He wasn't getting much protection and he was getting hit, but he stood in the pocket and threw some good balls. You look at him now and he's one big bruise."

Kubik has shown the ability to manage the game well and not force plays. However, he has also shown a knack for hitting deep passes and getting some big plays, like the 78-yard touchdown pass to Johnathan Holland against Auburn.

"He's shown to be a guy who makes good decisions," Bicknell said. "Matty's good with the play action and throws on the move."

Kubik has completed 52-of-96 passes for 759 yards with two touchdowns and five interceptions.

Allen, who suffered a shoulder separation, could begin throwing again this week. When he returns, the Bulldogs will have two solid quarterbacks they can rely on. When the season began, they weren't sure they had one.

* For the most part, the new 3-4 defense devised by first-year coordinator Tim Rose has been a success.

Although the numbers are skewed because of games against Miami, Auburn and Tennessee, Tech's defense has improved in every area from a year ago.

The players have bought into Rose's system completely and it has shown in their performances.

Take out the three games against Miami, Tennessee and Auburn, and Tech is allowing 20.6 points, 119.6 yards rushing and 225 yards per game.

As it is, the Bulldogs rank 88th nationally in total defense after ranking last a year ago, allowing 408.7 yards per game.

Tech's defense has also showed the ability to bend, but not break, and has come up with big plays late in the game.

Three big plays in the final minutes against Louisiana-Lafayette and Fresno State sealed victories in those games.

"All in all when you talk about playing some of the best offenses in the country, we've hung in there pretty good," Bicknell said. "I think in the next six games we'll know more."

* Bicknell was braced for the worst, knowing he would go through the season with a freshman punter and freshman placekicker. So far the kicking game has been a mixed bag.

Punter Matt Butler has gained more confidence each week and has done a terrific job. Butler ranks fifth in the WAC, averaging 39.9 yards per punt and has the longest punt in the WAC this year of 62 yards.

"For a true freshman to go to the places he's kicked, Matt Butler has done a fantastic job," Bicknell said. "We've got him directional punting so I think he has a better leg than he's showing."

The kicking game is a different story. Signee Danny Horwedel and walkon Brad Oestriecher have taken turns kicking field goals this year without much success.

Horwedel, who is now handling the field-goal duties, is 1-of-4 on field goals and 4-of-4 on extra points.

Oestriecher, who won the job out of camp and also handles the kickoff duties, is 2-of-5 on field goals and 9-of-10 on extra points.

"Kickoffs have been great," Bicknell said. "Brad's doing a great job, but we just need to see how we do with field goals, but truthfully there haven't been many opportunities."

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Take out the three games against Miami, Tennessee and Auburn, and Tech is allowing 20.6 points, 119.6 yards rushing and 225 yards per game.

As it is, the Bulldogs rank 88th nationally in total defense after ranking last a year ago, allowing 408.7 yards per game.

Tech's defense has also showed the ability to bend, but not break, and has come up with big plays late in the game.

Three big plays in the final minutes against Louisiana-Lafayette and Fresno State sealed victories in those games.

"All in all when you talk about playing some of the best offenses in the country, we've hung in there pretty good," Bicknell said. "I think in the next six games we'll know more."

* Bicknell was braced for the worst, knowing he would go through the season with a freshman punter and freshman placekicker. So far the kicking game has been a mixed bag.

Punter Matt Butler has gained more confidence each week and has done a terrific job. Butler ranks fifth in the WAC, averaging 39.9 yards per punt and has the longest punt in the WAC this year of 62 yards.

"For a true freshman to go to the places he's kicked, Matt Butler has done a fantastic job," Bicknell said. "We've got him directional punting so I think he has a better leg than he's showing."

The kicking game is a different story. Signee Danny Horwedel and walkon Brad Oestriecher have taken turns kicking field goals this year without much success.

Horwedel, who is now handling the field-goal duties, is 1-of-4 on field goals and 4-of-4 on extra points.

Oestriecher, who won the job out of camp and also handles the kickoff duties, is 2-of-5 on field goals and 9-of-10 on extra points.

"Kickoffs have been great," Bicknell said. "Brad's doing a great job, but we just need to see how we do with field goals, but truthfully there haven't been many opportunities."