RUSTON - Twenty years ago, the 1984 Louisiana Tech football team made one of the greatest postseason runs in Bulldog history advancing to the Division I-AA National Championship game before falling to Montana State.

During halftime of Saturday's home game against Fresno State, members of that team will be honored for their efforts that made that 1984 season such a success under head coach A.L. Williams.

Over 50 players, coaches and support staff are expected back to Joe Aillet Stadium, the site of the first victory during that memorable playoff run which included wins over the Jerry Rice-led Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils, the Alcorn State Braves and the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders.

"We are thrilled that we will have so many of our former players and coaches back for this special occasion," said Tech Athletic Director Jim Oakes. "That was a special team and it will be an honor to honor them on such an exciting night for Tech football."

After opening that year with a 17-9 win at Southeastern Louisiana, the Bulldogs lost three straight games, included a memorable 14-8 heartbreaker at Ole Miss. However, Williams and Co. rebounded strong, winning six of their last seven regular season games to claim the Southland Conference championship and a berth in the playoffs.

Few people gave Tech much of a chance when the pairing were announced as the Bulldogs drew a Mississippi Valley State team that was averaging over 60 points a game behind quarterback Willie Totten and Rice.

However, under mostly cloudy skies and cool temperatures on Nov. 24, Tech was the team with the offensive fireworks as the Bulldogs built a big halftime lead and coasted to a 66-19 victory. Quarterback Kyle Gandy threw for 262 yards and three scores while running back David Green rushed for 179 yards and three more scores.

Despite giving up 485 passing yards, the Tech defense intercepted Totten six times on the afternoon. The eventual NFL superstar Rice ended the afternoon with nine receptions for 155 yards and one score.

One week later the Bulldogs drove down I-20 to Jackson, Miss., where they met the No. 1 ranked Alcorn State Braves at Memorial Stadium. After a scoreless first period, Tech exploded for 30 second quarter points as Gandy tossed three touchdowns during the second 15 minutes of play.

Two more third quarter scores gave the Bulldogs a 44-0 lead before Alcorn State scored three meaningless touchdowns late as Tech advanced.

The Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders were all that stood in the way of Tech and a trip to the Division I-AA national championship game and this game wouldn't be a blowout like the previous two.

Tech got on the scoreboard first with a 37-yard return by Richie Sims of a blocked punt in the first quarter, giving the Bulldogs an early 7-0 lead. However, 10 unanswered Middle Tennessee points meant Tech was facing its first deficit since the playoffs had started. However, Gandy hit Todd Breske from 11-yards out with 2:35 to play in the third quarter as the Bulldogs took a 14-10 lead.

After Middle Tennessee closed the gap to 14-13 with a field goal at the 8:14 mark of the fourth quarter, the Bulldog offense would seal the Blue Raiders fate. Green took a handoff on the first play of Tech's next possession and scampered 80-yards to paydirt giving the Bulldogs a 21-13 win.

One week later Tech's hopes of a national championship were dashed as Montana State sacked Gandy 11 times as the Bobcats downed the Bulldogs 19-6 in Charleston, South Carolina.

However, despite the loss in that contest, the Bulldogs ended the season 10-5 after starting 1-3.

Linebacker Doug Landry and defensive lineman Walter Johnson earned all-Southland Conference honors as well as All-American accolades. Defensive back Doyle Adams, defensive tackle Donald Washington and kicker George Benoyla also received All-SLC honors.