Conference USA: Louisiana Tech Bulldogs 2015 College Football Preview
Written by Charlie Beuttel
Head Coach: Skip Holtz, 3rd season (Record at Louisiana Tech: 13-13)
Conference: Conference USA West Division
2014: 9-5
Location: Ruston, Louisiana
Overview
Coming off a 4-8 season in 2013, Louisiana Tech exceeded all expectations by finishing 9-5 a year ago and winning the Heart of Dallas Bowl over Illinois, 35-18. The expectations are just as high for the Bulldogs going into the 2015 season as the team returns six starters on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball including running back Kenneth Dixon.
Despite losing quarterback Cody Sokol, Louisiana Tech are favorites once again to win their division and make a decent bowl game. The Bulldogs have four key road games when they travel to Kansas State on Sept. 19 and Mississippi State on Oct. 17 for non-conference games and to Western Kentucky on Sept. 10 and Rice on Oct. 30 for challenging conference games.
Offense
Louisiana Tech scored on average 37.4 points a game in 2014, which was good enough for 14th in the nation. Former Florida quarterback Jeff Driskel (6’4”, 234) has one year of eligibility left and will replace Sokol as field general in the Bulldog offense. Driskel had a disappointing career at Florida where injuries hindered his performance. The senior transfer has a strong arm and should show off his athleticism in Louisiana Tech’s offense.
Senior running back Kenneth Dixon (5’10”, 215) is also returning for the Bulldogs. Dixon had 1,299 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns in his junior season. Two weapons at wide receiver will be junior Trent Taylor (5’8”, 180) and sophomore Carlos Henderson (5’11”, 194). Taylor had 834 receiving yards and nine touchdowns and Henderson had 569 yards and four touchdowns in 2014. A key offensive linemen will be junior David Mahaffey (6’4”, 307).
Defense
The Bulldogs gave up an average of 24.7 points a game and led the nation in turnovers in 2014. Louisiana Tech was also tied for the national lead in interceptions. The secondary will be the strongest and most experienced unit as three returners from last year. Junior safety Xavier Woods (5’11”, 203) who had six interceptions, senior cornerback Adairius Barnes (5’11”, 189), who had five interceptions, and senior safety Kentrell Brice (5’11”, 197) are all key returning members of the secondary.
Seniors Vernon Butler (6’3”, 316) and Vontarrius Dora (6’4”, 262) will be leaders of the defensive line. The leader of the linebackers will be fifth-year senior Beau Fitte (6’0”, 218 pounds).
Schedule
9/5 Southern @ Louisiana Tech
9/10 Louisiana Tech @ Western Kentucky
9/19 Louisiana Tech @ Kansas State
9/26 Florida International @ Louisiana Tech
10/3 Louisiana-Lafayette @ Louisiana Tech
10/10 Louisiana Tech @ UT-San Antonio
10/17 Louisiana Tech @ Mississippi State
10/24 Middle Tennessee @ Louisiana Tech
10/30 Louisiana Tech @ Rice
11/7 North Texas @ Louisiana Tech
11/14 Open Date
11/21 Louisiana Tech @ UT-El Paso
11/28 Southern Miss @ Louisiana Tech
Photo credit: Tom Morris/LATechSportsPix.com; Louisiana Tech’s star running back Kenneth Dixon