RUSTON - After leading the nation in rushing in the first three weeks of the season, Louisiana Tech running back Ryan Moats is No. 5 this week following his performance in the Bulldogs loss at No. 8 Tennessee Saturday.

Moats rushed for 97 yards and one score on 21 carries against the Volunteers and now has 692 yards and five touchdowns on the year in only 102 carries, averaging 173.0 yards per game and 6.8 yards per carry.

The Dallas, Texas, product trails only Oklahoma State's Vernand Morency (187.0 ypg), Texas' Cedric Benson (186.0 ypg), Kansas State's Darren Sproles (183.3 ypg) and Cal's J.J. Arrington (179. ypg).

Moats still owns a huge lead in the race for the Western Athletic Conference rushing title. Rice running back Ed Bailey ranks second in the league averaging 101.7 yards per game.