Matchup Comparison – Louisiana Tech

I tried to make a comparison between what we know and don’t know about both teams. I know this isn’t exactly a valid comparison since the positions I put against one another in the comparison depend on the other positions as well to succeed or fail, but it may all work out in the end. I also know there is a difference between FBS and FCS. While that will certainly figure into the play on the field, it’s near impossible to account for that on paper. The following could be helpful in determining the paper champions:

Tech Passing vs. UCA Secondary

Last season, Tech’s offense was shut out twice and averaged just 18.6 points per game. While the offensive mindset may change under the new coaching staff, the running game was 66 percent of the offense last year. The reason for that might be, at least in part, due to the touchdown to interception ratio of returning starting quarterback Zac Champion. Champion completed just 52 percent of his passes for 14 touchdowns. Not terrible numbers until you see that he also threw 18 interceptions – that’s more than one per game.

Champion will be throwing to just one wide receiver that caught more than three passes last season. Junior Josh Wheeler led the team in receiving touchdowns (4) and yards per catch (20.1) last season. The other receivers listed on johnnylightnin’s depth chart each had three receptions last season. Some of these guys, along with the two true freshmen that jl listed, are going to have to try and replace the seniors that accounted for almost 60 percent of the receptions.

The mostly inexperienced UCA secondary will be in charge of stopping the mostly inexperienced receiving corps of Tech. Led by senior Tristan Jackson, who finished with six interceptions last season, only one other defensive back projected on the two-deep is an upperclassmen. Sophomores, redshirt and true freshmen will try to fill the void left by the top three safeties and the corner that started opposite Jackson.

Verdict: There are a lot of question marks, too many on both sides, to say that the unproven passing game of Tech will be able to move the ball against the untested pass defense of UCA. Whoever made the most strides in the offseason will probably have the upper hand. At this point, based mostly on experience under center, I think if Champion throws away from Jackson’s side, Tech has the advantage.

Tech TEs vs. UCA Linebackers

johnnylightnin mentioned the strength of the offense would be the tight end position and the running backs. Tight end Dennis Morris caught 16 passes including three touchdown receptions last season. But the other two he listed have little experience being relied on in the offense, at least as far as moving the ball. Anthony Harrison played in seven games and caught a single pass. Dustin Mitchell played in nine games, but according to his online bio, mostly on special teams where he recorded one tackle.

The UCA linebackers are, you guessed it, mainly young and green. The starters are redshirt freshman, sophomore and junior. James Lancaster (So.) and Cory McMurrian (Jr.) got some action last year. In fact, Lancaster returned an interception for a touchdown in his first collegiate game last season. Tok Opeloye (not a typo Tech fans) will join them on the first team. Getting away from what they look like on paper – untested – the starters look really quick and athletic. The backups are even more of an uncertainty. Talking to the starters, they say to keep an eye on Andrew Summerset. And when he’s in the game, he won’t be hard to spot. He’s the guy running full speed into the pile, trying to hit someone … hard.

Verdict: Both teams think they have something special at these spots. Whether the depth is there for either team is questionable. Draw.

Tech Rushing vs. UCA Line

Now the running back position returns their top three guys. While they only totaled 10 touchdowns a year ago, Patrick Jackson leads an experienced group and earned second-team All-WAC honors last season while having to miss a game due to an injury. Sophomores Daniel Porter and William Griffin got some valuable experience last season. Porter played in 12 games and averaged 5.7 yards per carry. All three backs were also involved in the passing game. Jackson caught 22 passes (fifth most on the team) for 181 yards. All three are in the top five returning pass catchers.

The Bulldog offensive line is massive. If my math is correct, they will average 6’4” and 296 on their first string, and their backups aren’t any smaller. They return three starters, but the new starters and second team are young. Many are redshirt freshmen and will be seeing their first collegiate action this fall.

UCA fans have heard it many times. The Bears lost the three best defensive ends in UCA history. To try to plug the holes, they brought in two junior college players and return a true sophomore, Taylor Scott, who gained valuable experience last year in nine games. The JuCo guys have the athleticism to contribute immediately and might be counted on to do that, even over Scott who looked like a shoe-in following the spring. While they don’t have experience as Bears, the outside guys should be solid. Returning starter Uriah Perry tallied 22 tackles a year ago at nose guard. He and Kendrell Barksdale will be up against offensive linemen that outweigh them by over 20 pounds and have several inches more reach.

Verdict: The Bulldog tailbacks, especially Jackson, took full advantage of the huge offensive line last season. Jackson is likely to be even better this year. While the UCA linebackers will certainly be key to helping stop the run, when defensive coordinator Denzil Cox says the defensive line is what worries him the most, it worries me. Maybe, for Bear fans, he’s just giving us some coach speak, but until they can prove themselves on the field, I’ll take his word for it. Advantage Tech.

Friday Practice Report

I didn’t see all of practice, so some others might have more complete reports to add.

I told those around me during the practice that the first line linebackers could be very good. I really like moving Tok Opeloye to the middle to play with Cory McMurrian and James Lancaster. Those three guys are players. But after those three, there is just one other linebacker on the roster that’s not a freshman or redshirt freshman.

I also noticed that when we were going with three down linemen in the 2-minute drill that Taylor Scott played in the middle. Wasn’t expecting to see that. I think Tim Hollway was on the left side, but I can’t remember who was on the other end, maybe Quad Sanders.

I also mentioned to some others that Coach Eliano may have the hardest job this season. He’s having to do a lot of yelling after plays. One player that he, as you might expect, doesn’t have to yell at much is Tristan. But rest assured that Tristan does his share of yelling – at the offense. It might have reached its peak after Willie Landers caught what I think I recall being a fade route on the opposite side of the field. Landers told Tristan that he was going to do the same thing on his side of the field next time. Tristan of course had some friendly banter in response. It was fun to watch.

The other memorable play by the secondary was actually a pretty good play, well a pretty good hit on freshman wide receiver Darrius McNeal. It was one of those plays that you could see coming. McNeal got passed the first line, but the safety (I think it was Eric Blanch?) was waiting when the ball floated. It’s hard to remember who delivered the hit because I and the guys I was standing beside immediately started talking about the hit.

On offense, the wide receivers still dropped some passes. Rico Moss made some good catches, but he also dropped a deep ball that probably should have been caught – easy for me to say. Preston Echols missed was could have been a pretty big gainer over the middle. It just went in and out of his hands. McNeal also made quite a few catches before the big hit. And while I don’t remember seeing him in any plays at the end of practice, Cedric Logan was used a lot when I first arrived. But during the two-minute drills at the end, Matt Clinkscales made a couple solid catches including the touchdown reception that ended the drill. Really there was so many receivers getting reps it’s hard to mention them all. Another receiver note, Eric Ware wasn’t dressed out. (Also, if anyone knows who #2 was on offense, post it in the forum.)

The offensive line looked to have most of their starters back, if not all of them. Casey Thurber participated, but didn’t run the with the first team the entire time. I think it was Boomer Cunningham who took the rest of the snaps at center. Lane Friewald was back out there with probable starting guards Brad Gordon and Jeremy Ford.

The quarterbacks made some good passes and missed some guys, but we know that the top two have the experience to lead the offense. You have to feel good about Nathan Brown being under center, and each time I see Robby Park you realize he has all the physical tools.

At the end of two of the 2-minute drives the coaches called for field goals. The first was from around the left hash and the kick sailed very wide left. The second was a good kick.

Scrimmage tomorrow at 3:00 if the weather doesn’t get in the way. There’s a 30% chance of scattered thunderstorms to go along with the 102 degree heat index.