April 9, 2008

RUSTON - Louisiana Tech head coach Derek Dooley hopes that pride is the main motivational factor Saturday when his squad divides up for the T-Day Spring Game at Joe Aillet Stadium at 1 p.m.

However, in all honestly, it might be the participants' stomachs and taste buds that lead their efforts as their will be plenty at "steak" for the two teams.

When the Blue Team takes on the White Team Saturday, the victor will get a steak dinner and all the "fixins" Sunday night in the Jarrell Room in the Charles Wyly Athletic Center. At the same time, the loser ... they get hot dogs and chips on paper plates along with a big helping of crow from their opponents.

Last year was the first for this T-Day Spring Game tradition and punter Chris Keagle - who was on last year's losing team - said he doesn't want to experience watching his teammates eat steak for a second straight year.

"It was pretty bad having to eat hot dogs last year," Keagle said. "They were barely warm, and the buns weren't that fresh. The other team was rubbing it in our face. It wasn't a whole lot of fun."

Cornerback Weldon Brown was a member of last year's winning team and his recollection of the dinner was a little more enjoyable.

"It was very tasty," Brown said. "I know most of the guys who had to eat hot dogs left early. We got full and enjoyed ourselves. I just can't picture eating hot dogs.

"I think the competition is a big deal. It's a reward for the winning team. We can't pass up a good meal. A lot of guys want to eat steak, and it is definitely motivation for us."

Dooley's T-Day Spring Game format was designed to make the game fun while also meaningful to the players and to the fans. Dooley began a new T-Day tradition last year by having the seniors-to-be draft the two competing teams, including coaching and support staffs.

With the draft having been completed Tuesday evening, the culinary prize will start to be discussed a little more frequently leading up to the game.

"There will definitely be a lot of talk starting (Wednesday) when everyone finds out what teams they are on," Keagle said. "The trash talk will definitely pick up. It's all in good fun, but both teams will want to win."

On Saturday, these Dawgs will be playing to avoid the dogs ... the hot dogs that is.