Aug. 21, 2012
RUSTON, La. - Louisiana Tech practiced for two hours Tuesday evening on the Tech Practice Fields as preparations continued for a season that begins in nine days.
Tuesday's session was fast-paced and featured a much improved offense from the previous session while the defense continued to rise up with their backs against the wall in tough game-like situations.
But the most impressive aspect of Tuesday's practice was not the good plays by offense or defense but the fast pace and fresh legs that seemed to not slacken during the two-hour session.
"It feels good to get closer," said head coach Sonny Dykes. "Camp is a long, hard process but we see the light at the end of the tunnel which is positive. We are fresh and flying around. To be this far into camp and to still have the enthusiasm and to play as fast as we have been able to play is a real credit to our players and the way they prepared themselves over the summer. It had been a very productive camp and I think everyone has been excited about getting into game week."
The Bulldogs are working towards a season-opening date with Texas A&M on Aug. 30, a team that took advantage of several LA Tech miscues two years ago in a 48-16 win in College Station. Despite some players having played in that game, Dykes doesn't see next week's game as any form of a redemption battle.
"I think we are a better football team, obviously, just because we can execute [better] and our personnel has been in our system. I have a lot more confidence in all of that. As far as [Texas] A&M goes, I can't speak for them. They are going to have a good football team, they always do. They have good football players. We will have a better sense [of how we match-up] a week from Thursday," said Dykes.
The match-up against Texas A&M is one of five games on the Bulldogs' 12-game slate this year that features a team from neighboring Texas. That is a welcome change from recent schedules in which Western Athletic Conference play has send Tech across half of the country.
"I think it is huge," Dykes said of playing so many Texas schools this year. "There are a lot of teams that play football in the state of Texas. Regional games are a big draw for everybody; they are a big draw for our fans, they are a big draw for our opponents' fans, obviously it helps us in recruiting where we can say `You can play against the Texas A&M's of the world and you are going to play against North Texas, Rice and those kind of people in the future when we get into Conference USA.' To be able to say that is big for us and I think playing UTSA and Texas State is a big deal. We have a lot of players on our team from Central Texas and from the Metroplex so it is good to play those teams that they are familiar with."
The more regional games are just a preview of what is to come once Louisiana Tech makes the full transition into Conference USA in time for the 2013 football season. But first all eyes are focused on the 2012 season and Texas A&M, who is looking to record a big impact win as they begin their first season in the Southeastern Conference.
Louisiana Tech opens its season Aug. 30 in a historic matchup against SEC foe Texas A&M at Shreveport's Independence Stadium at 6:30 p.m. Season tickets as well as individual game tickets can be purchased by calling 318-257-3631, emailing techtickets@latech.edu or by logging onto www.LATechsports.com.
Fans are also encouraged to sign up their young Bulldog and Techster fans with a membership to the LA Tech Kids Club (only $40 per year gets free admittance to all LA Tech regular season, on-campus home events as well as numerous other benefits).
Tech fans are also encouraged to financially support the University's dedicated and talented student-athletes, coaches and staff by joining the Louisiana Tech Athletic Club (LTAC). As the University approaches a new era of Conference USA membership starting July 1, 2013, these types of financial gifts are vital to the continued success. Anyone interesting in becoming a member of LTAC can do so by calling Adam McGuirt at 318-255-7950. More information can be found online at www.LATechsports.com or at www.LATechAlumni.org.
For complete coverage of Bulldog Football, please follow @LATechFB or @LATechPWalsh on Twitter or visit the official home of Louisiana Tech Athletics at LATechSports.com.
QUOTES
Louisiana Tech Head Coach Sonny Dykes
"It feels good to get closer. Camp is a long, hard process but we see the light at the end of the tunnel which is positive. We are fresh and flying around. To be this far into camp and to still have the enthusiasm and to play as fast as we have been able to play is a real credit to our players and the way they prepared themselves over the summer. It had been a very productive camp and I think everyone has been excited about getting into game week."
On the offense being a better mesh to take on Texas A&M:
"I don't know about that. I think we are a better football team, obviously, just because we can execute [better] and our personnel has been in our system. I have a lot more confidence in all of that. As far as [Texas] A&M goes, I can't speak for them. They are going to have a good football team, they always do. They have good football players. We will have a better sense [of how we match-up] a week from Thursday."
On the A&M game being a redemption game from the 2010 loss:
"The funny thing about it is that we have so many players that are playing for us now that didn't even play in the first game. We have a couple of guys that did but most of our team didn't even play in that game. Certainly, we feel like we are different than we were two years ago but we have to go prove it. Just because we think that doesn't mean anything. We have to go out and show it on the field. Our guys have prepared well and the thing we have done a good job of is worrying about ourselves and coming out here every day and getting better. As I said, I think we are in a pretty good spot."
On playing so many Texas teams this season (five in 12 games):
"I think it is huge. There are a lot of teams that play football in the state of Texas. Regional games are a big draw for everybody; they are a big draw for our fans, they are a big draw for our opponents' fans, obviously it helps us in recruiting where we can say `You can play against the Texas A&M's of the world and you are going to play against North Texas, Rice and those kind of people in the future when we get into Conference USA.' To be able to say that is big for us and I think playing UTSA and Texas State is a big deal. We have a lot of players on our team from Central Texas and from the Metroplex so it is good to play those teams that they are familiar with."
On Stephen Warner:
"He is kind of a microcosm of our program; an underrated guy who has worked really hard and hopefully is going to have a good year. He is one of those people who is consistent day-in and day-out. He has an incredibly consistent approach, he is a smart guy and he gets the most out of his ability. I think that is the best compliment you can give a football player is they maximize what they are capable of. I think Stephen is a guy who does that. He is not the biggest guy in the world but he has worked himself into a really good football player. He is kind of the emotional leader for us and people respect him for his work ethic, his consistency and his approach. He is the ultimate team player."
