Tech Downs Idaho 46-14

Oct. 18, 2008 RUSTON -- Daniel Porter rushed for a season-high 145 yards and two touchdowns to lead Louisiana Tech to 46-14 win over Idaho before 12,400 fans at Joe Aillet Stadium Saturday night.

Porter led a Tech rushing attack that racked up 364 yards on the ground and five touchdowns while sophomore signal caller Ross Jenkins passed for 192 yards as the Bulldogs (3-3, 1-2 WAC) won for the third straight time at home this season. "It was just what the doctor ordered," said Tech head coach Derek Dooley. "I was proud of how the team came out. Even though they punched us on the first drive, it was a dominating game start to finish. Overall, it was a great win." Idaho (1-7, 0-4 WAC) took its opening drive and marched 72 yards on six plays as Nathan Enderle hit Kama Bailey on a 33-yard touchdown pass to give the Vandals an early 7-0 lead. However, Tech would answer by scoring 30 unanswered points. The Bulldogs struck paydirt on their opening drive as Jenkins fake a handoff and rolled into the end zone from seven yards out. Brad Oestriecher's extra point was no good as Idaho led 7-6. An Oestriecher 21-yard field goal late in the first quarter made the score 9-7 Tech. The second quarter was all Bulldogs as freshman R.P. Stuart scored on a 14-yard run on a reverse to give Tech a 16-7 lead. Porter added a 1-yard touchdown run and then Phillip Livas took a handoff on a reverse and raced 72-yards down the Tech sideline to the endzone upping the advantage to 30-7 with 4:18 to play before the half. Idaho scored less than a minute later as Enderle connected with Bailey again, this time from 27-yards out cutting the Tech lead to 30-14. "We made a couple of assignment mistakes in the first half," Dooley said. "Idaho caught us twice on the same play to the back. However, we made some adjustments at the half. Overall, I thought we played extremely well defensively." Oestriecher added a 32-yard field goal on the final play of the half as the Bulldogs led 33-14 heading into intermission. "I thought Ross did a good job," Dooley said. "He made plays with his feet, which is an added dimension he brings. He made some mistakes, but we hope he will continue to progress." Idaho took its first possession of the second half and marched down the field but stalled on the Tech 23-yard line. On a fourth-down-and-five, Idaho lined up for a field goal but faked it as holder T.J. Conley hit Eddie Williams for a 23-yard score. However, the touchdown was negated as Idaho was flagged for an illegal substitution and Tino Amancio's ensuing 55-yard field goal was no good, leaving the Tech advantage at 33-14. Porter added onto his rushing total and the Tech lead with a 17-yard run midway through the third quarter while Oestriecher added field goals of 24- and 39-yards to round out the scoring in the game. Oestriecher connected on a career-best four field goals in the game. For the game Tech recorded 556 total yards, including 364 on the ground. "Our running game is progressing," Dooley said. "Daniel has been phenomenal over the last four games. Everyone else showed up tonight. I think it really helped Ross out. We really dominated the line of scrimmage." Jenkins ended the night by completing 13-of-20 passes for 192 yards and zero interceptions while also rushing 11 times for 47 yards and one score. Defensively, Tech held Idaho to only 15 yards rushing on 19 carries. The Vandals totaled only 239 yards for the game. Tech returns to action Oct. 25 at Army at noon CST. For more pictures of the game, log onto www.latechsportspix.com.