Louisiana Tech Spring Game

The wind was blowing plates and napkins all over the place Saturday, as fans tried to enjoy their meal at the Champs luncheon. The spring game was also affected by the wind; the kickers and quarterbacks struggled most of the day because of the wind swirling throughout the stadium.

Head Coach Derek Dooley admitted the wind was a factor. “I think the wind did have an effect early on. It certainly did on the kicker mentally and it might have affected the throwers a little. That’s something we need to work on and overcome. It was a physical game early and the defense was flying around on both sides of the ball.” The defense on both sides did have something to do with the low scores. In fact, neither team scored until Brian White returned a blocked field goal for a touchdown as the first half expired. White’s second big play of the half put the Blue Team up 6-0; he already had an interception to his credit. The Bulldogs have several nagging injuries and many players were sitting out the contest. The game started with only five offensive linemen on each team. Lon Roberts limped off the field early in the game, and for the rest of the day a member of the blue team had to play center for both sides. Another blue team lineman played both offense and defense during the game. The shorthanded line also affected the offense, helping the defense bring a lot of pressure. It took a trick play, a nice pass from tight end Dennis Morris to Philip Beck, to put the Blue Team up 13-0. Morris played a little quarterback in high school and has now seen action in at least four positions for Louisiana Tech. The White Team mixed several bruising runs by William Griffin and some key completions by Ross Jenkins to move down the field and finally get on the score board. Griffin punched it in from three yards out to cap a 53 yard drive that lasted nearly four and a half minutes. “Give credit to the White Team for making two big drives late in the game,” Coach Dooley said. “Then the Blue Team comes back and they got a chance on a third down play on the 30… and they give up a sack on execution.” After a Blue Team three and out series, Jenkins and Daniel Porter had the White Team on the move again. Jenkins connected with Phillip Livas on a slant and go pattern that Livas begged Coach Conroy Hines to call. The 30 yard touchdown pass put the White Team up 14-13 and they held on for the steak dinner clinching victory. Steven Ensminger connected with Morris for a 26 yard completion to the White Team’s 30 yard line. That was as close as the Blue Team was able to get and they had to settle for hot dogs. Coach Dooley was happy with the team’s effort. “A lot of great lessons, I was proud of the competitive matchup between the players and I think they were into it. There were a lot of plays that were made out there and a lot that were missed out there and that’s something we need to improve on.” The coaches will spend the next four weeks on the road. The spring evaluation period is important for the coaches to get out and see as many junior prospects a possible. The team will spend the rest of the school year attending class and working in the weight room.