INSIDE SLANT
Derek Dooley is no stranger to Baton Rouge.
The Louisiana Tech head coach spent five years coaching with Nick Saban at LSU before a two-year stint with the Miami Dolphins.
And while he's excited about his return there this week to play nationally ranked LSU (he also played the Tigers in his rookie season in 2007), Dooley isn't exactly entering the battle with a full arsenal of weapons.
The Bulldogs roster is riddled with either vacancies from season-ending injuries or player departures for various reasons or full of several players playing at well below 100 percent.
The injuries have surely played a large role in the team's disappointing 2009 season, just don't ask Dooley to make excuses about it.
"We could sit here all day and talk about the injuries, but it's just an excuse for not getting it done," Dooley said in the Shreveport Times. "I'm never gonna do that. But we do have a lot of guys hurt."
The biggest blow came in last week's nationally televised loss to Boise State when early in the game two-time All-Western Athletic Conference free safety Antonio Baker fractured his tibia.
"We have nine starters questionable for this week and three are already out," Dooley said. "Florida would be whining about that and so would LSU. We've had a lot of attrition our first couple of years. We haven't been at 85 since I've been here."
NOTES, QUOTES
--Preseason All-Western Athletic Conference safety Antonio Baker is done for the year after fracturing his tibia against Boise State. Baer had 51 tackles, two interceptions, three pass breakups and forced three fumbles this season.
"What a phenomenal career he's had," Louisiana Tech head coach Derek Dooley said in the Monroe News Star. "It's a little bit sad that he couldn't finish it the right way."
Baker was named All-WAC first team after each of his sophomore and junior seasons.
--Louisiana Tech has not beat LSU since 1904, a 6-0 win. In its 17 losses to LSU, the Bulldogs have been shut out 12 times. LSU has outscored Louisiana Tech 616-42 in the 18-game series. Twenty of those Bulldogs points have been scored in the last two meetings -- a 49-10 loss in 2003 and a 58-10 loss in 2007.
SERIES HISTORY: LSU leads series 17-1 (last meeting, 2007, 58-10 LSU)
SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: RB Daniel Porter ran well against Boise State, but is still hobbled by a bad hamstring. His injury only adds to a depleted backfield as freshman RB D.J. Morrow is likely out this week and fellow backup RB Myke Compton is pulling double duty as one of the team's primary special teams players.
Wide receivers R.P. Stuart and Phillip Livas are "iffy" for this week according to head coach Derek Dooley, only adding to what has been a hit-and-miss passing game.
SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: The loss of S Antonio Baker is big. Louisiana Tech has struggled against the run this season and has been pretty bad against the pass in recent weeks. Both the run and pass defense would have been even worse had it not been for Baker, one of the few players who has been consistent all season on defense.
After allowing just 171.1 passing yards per game through its first seven games, Louisiana Tech has allowed an average of 340.5 passing yards in its last two games, losses at Idaho and vs. Boise State.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "We just at the end of the day didn't make enough plays at the end of the game to win the game (against Boise State). That's kind of been the story line for us all year." -- Louisiana Tech head coach Derek Dooley.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
THIS WEEK'S GAME: Louisiana Tech at LSU, Nov. 14 -- The Bulldogs are hoping to catch the LSU Tigers on a bit of a letdown after their loss to Alabama last week. Even with a letdown, however, the Bulldogs would have to be near perfect to beat the Tigers for the first time since 1904, and Louisiana Tech has been anything but perfect this season.
KEYS TO THE GAME: Louisiana Tech's shot at an upset lies in the defense's ability to prevent big plays. The Bulldogs have had a steady run game as of late and if it can hold its own in the field position battle, it may be able to be competitive.
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
RB Daniel Porter has rushed for 732 yards this season and eight touchdowns. If the Bulldogs can keep it close at all against LSU, Porter will have to have one of his better games of the season.
WR Phillip Livas -- While his status for the LSU game is "iffy," Livas' presence in the return game will be vital against an LSU team that has the best special teams in the country according to Louisiana Tech head coach Derek Dooley.
SS Tank Calais -- With FS Antonio Baker out for the season, Calais will have to step up even more. Calais has already been one of the bright spots for the defense this season and is second on the team in tackles with 55. He also has one interception, three pass break ups, a sack and three tackles for loss.
ROSTER REPORT:
--Senior FS Antonio Baker's career is over after fracturing his tibia during last week's Boise State game.
--WRs Phillip Livas and R.P. Stuart are "iffy" due to various injuries for this week's game at LSU, according to Louisiana Tech head coach Derek Dooley.
--True freshman RB D.J. Morrow will not play this week against LSU, hurting not only depth in the backfield, but on special teams.
Previous Report: 11/08/2009
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