Nov. 8, 2008
Box Score
SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Terry Carter's 50-yard interception return for a touchdown in the second quarter highlighted a dominating defensive performance as Louisiana Tech defeated San Jose State 21-0 at Spartan Stadium Saturday night.
Tech (5-4, 3-2 WAC) won for the first time in five road games this season. The loss was only the fourth in the last 19 home games for San Jose State (6-4, 4-2), which entered the contest all alone in second place in the Western Athletic Conference standings.
The Bulldogs defense owned the Spartans offense from the opening kickoff, holding San Jose State to only 148 total yards and 6 first downs. It was Tech's first shutout in 140 games dating back to a 20-0 win over Middle Tennessee in the 1996 season opener.
"This was a game of turnovers and field position," said Tech head coach Derek Dooley. "We made the plays we needed to make. We protected the football. We did a great job of forcing two turnovers, including one for a score. It was just a great win. I am proud of our football team."
Louisiana Tech appeared to strike on the opening kickoff as Phillip Livas returned the kick 96 yards for a touchdown but the score was negated by a holding call against the Bulldogs. Tech would register two first downs on the drive before having to punt the football away.
On Tech's second possession of the night, the Bulldogs drove down to the Spartans 25-yard line but the SJSU defense stiffened and Brad Oestriecher's 44-yard field goal was wide right as the game remained scoreless.
Livas struck again on the final play of the first quarter as he fielded a punt and returned it 80 yards for a TD. However, once again, it was called back due to an illegal block against the Bulldogs. Tech recorded one first down before a sack forced a punt. The Bulldogs defense was stout the entire first half.
Senior corner Weldon Brown made the first big play of the night for Tech recording his third interception of the season by picking off Myles Eden early in the second quarter, giving the Bulldogs the football on the Spartans 21-yard line.
On the first play following the interception, Patrick Jackson scored on a 21-yard run up the middle, with the final eight yards coming on a scrum with numerous Bulldogs and Spartans piling on the senior who kept moving forward into the end zone.
The touchdown was the 30th of Jackson's career, tying him with Ryan Moats for fourth place all-time. Brad Oestriecher's extra point made the score 7-0.
"I had turned to get Porter into the game," Dooley said. "I thought the play was over and I was hollering at Porter to get into the game. I was like go in. He said, 'The play isn't over.' I turned back and started screaming for them to blow the whistle because I was worried they would pull the ball out. Next thing you know he's in the end zone."
Eden made critical mistake on SJSU's next possession, as red-shirt freshman Terry Carter stepped in front of a pass and raced 50-yards untouched down the Tech sideline for a 14-0 Bulldog lead.
Oestriecher had an opportunity go give Tech a 17-0 lead at the half but his 42-yard field goal hit the right upright as the Bulldogs entered the locker room leading 14-0. Tech's defense held San Jose State to only 52 total yards in the first half, including only 11 yards passing.
"It was a dominating performance," Dooley said. "It had been 140 games since our last shutout. All week we heard how great their defense was and they are a great defense. Our defense wanted to prove that we were a great football team and tonight we did that. It was an incredible performance."
San Jose State had their first scoring threat of the night in the fourth quarter as backup quarterback Kyle Reed hit David Richmond on a 62-yard pass down the sideline before Carter tripped him up at the LA Tech seven-yard line.
After two rushing plays lost nine yards, Reed hit Richmond in the hands on a post pattern but Richmond dropped it setting up a fourth down play. On fourth down and goal, Reed was pressured by Tech linebacker Brannon Jackson and threw the ball away as the Bulldogs took over.
Tech's offense then recorded its best drive of the night, marching 84 yards on five plays, capped by Ross Jenkins 35-yard TD pass to tight end Dustin Mitchell, making the score 21-0 with 10 minutes to play which would be the final score.
Porter paced the Bulldogs on the offense with his third 100 yard rushing performance of the season totaling 102 yards rushing on 18 carries and 27 yards receiving. Jackson pitched in with 84 yards rushing on 16 carries with one touchdown to go along with one catch for 15 yards.
Defensively Tech was led by D'Anthony Smith who finished the night with seven tackles, one sack and two tackles for a loss.
Louisiana Tech will return to action Nov. 15 at Joe Aillet Stadium at 1:30 p.m. in Ruston when they take on conference for Utah State.
