Louisiana Tech is 1-1 on the season with an early conference showdown with Western Kentucky on the Horizon.

Running Hard

Louisiana Tech's four running backs combined for 41 carries and 247 yards, just over 6 yards per carry. Led by Boston Scott and Jared Craft, Tech was able to control the ball for 36 minutes.

Turnovers

Two fumbles, an interception, and the blocked punt were simply too much to overcome for Louisiana Tech. Every time Tech seemed to be putting something together, Mississippi State would come up with a big play to blow the doors off.

Fear The Wombat

Amik Robertson is going to be special. Actually, he already is very special. Against Mississippi State, the true freshman cornerback returned an interception for 62 yards. The 5-9, 172 pound Thibodaux native also picked up a blocked extra point in the second quarter and ran it all the way back for two points. Robertson finished with four tackles, including one tackle for a loss. One of his tackles was a crushing hit that forced a punt by Mississippi State. For 172 pounds, Amik brings a heavy punch when he hits.

Jeffrey Simmons is a Weapon of Mass Destruction

Jeffrey Simmons, the All-World Defensive Lineman for Mississippi State, apparently had enough of his team being behind Louisiana Tech in the first quarter - he took matters in to his own hands. Simmons blocked the extra point after Tech's only first half touchdown. For an encore, Simmons blocked a punt, then recovered it himself in the end zone for a touchdown. In the 3rd Quarter, the 301 pound sophomore picked up a fumble and outran everyone to the end zone for a 90 yard touchdown return.

Young Pups

Tech's depth chart listed 44 starters and backups against Mississippi State, with just 12 of those being seniors.

Not a Sellout

Louisiana Tech announced 28,100 fans in attendance, good for the second largest crowd in school history. The Bulldogs still seek that elusive sellout. Maybe when Ruston knows there will be a crowd, the stay away to avoid long lines. It's growing pains for sure and it comes with winning. Tech will get that sellout soon enough and fans will just have to get used to parking and walking as well as fighting through crowds.

Next Up

Western Kentucky is 1-1 on the season and is coming off of a 20-7 loss to Illinois. The Hilltoppers managed only 12 carries for 25 yards in the game and had possession for just 22 minutes. WKU had just 3.37 yards per carry the week before against Eastern Kentucky.

Bottom Line

The turnovers were ugly, but Tech is a young team that will grow from that loss. They certainly won't face a disruptive force like Jeffrey Simmons again this season. Expect Head Coach Skip Holtz to really pound the rock against the remaining schedule and give Quarterback J'Mar Smith to make plays in certain spots. Tech scored 21 points against Mississippi State. Smith got tons of positive press after leading Tech to a 21-20 loss to Arkansas last season. The offense can move the ball, it was the turnovers that did them in.