KSLA News 12 Shreveport, Louisiana |Louisiana Tech vs. LSU

Louisiana Tech vs. LSU

LOUISIANA TECH (3-6) at LSU (7-2, 4-2)

6 p.m. CT, Baton Rouge, La., Tiger Stadium (92,400)

THE COACHES

Derek Dooley is in his third season at Louisiana Tech and overall with a record of 16-18 (.471). The Bulldogs’ offensive coordinator is Frank Scelfo and the defensive coordinator is Tommy Spangler.

Les Miles is in his fifth season at LSU with a record of 49-13 (.790) and ninth overall with a record of 77-34 (.694). The Tigers’ offensive coordinator is Gary Crowton and the defensive coordinator is John Chavis.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN LOUISIANA TECH HAS THE BALL

Senior Daniel Porter enters this week’s game ranked sixth all-time in Louisiana Tech history with 2,813 career rushing yards, needing only 11 rushing yards to tie Patrick Jackson (2005-08) for fifth all-time. Not only did Louisiana Tech suffer a heartbreaking 23-21 loss at Utah State on Oct. 24, but another notable came to an end that day as Phillip Livas did not record a catch for the first time in 30 games.

Defensively, a trio of linebackers - Kelvin Sheppard (78 tackles, 7.5 TFL), Perry Riley (63 tackles, 3.0 TFL) and Harry Coleman (55 tackles, 2 sacks) pace the Tigers. The Tigers are among the best in the SEC in defense, allowing only 13.4 points and 310.7 total yards (121.2 rushing, 189.4 passing) per game.

CB Patrick Peterson leads the SEC in passes defended with 11 (9 PBUs, 2 interceptions). Sheppard ranks No. 3 in the SEC in tackles with 8.7 per game (78 total). He had his third straight doubledigit tackle game with 13 stops against Tulane.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN LSU HAS THE BALL

Louisiana Tech’s Antonio Baker enters this week’s game with 343 career tackles to his credit, a mark that ranks him third in the nation among active players. Baker has led LA Tech in tackles over the past two seasons, recording 115 in 2008 and 118 in 2007.

D’Anthony Smith leads the nation in career assisted sacks (11). Smith’s first sack of the season came against New Mexico State on Oct. 17.

The Tigers will be without their leading rusher in Charles Scott (clavicle) who will miss the remainder of the regular season. Scott, who ranks sixth all-time in school history with 2,317 rushing yards, was injured against Alabama.

LSU's Brandon LaFell and Terrance Toliver have combined for more receptions (83) than any other wide receiver tandem in the SEC. Toliver leads the Tigers with 42 catches for 527 yards and 3 TDs, while LaFell has 41 receptions for 506 yards and 8 scores. With his 31 receiving yards at Georgia, Richard Dickson shattered the school record for career receiving yards by a tight end. Dickson, who now has 903 receiving yards, eclipsed David LaFleur's old mark of 881 yards set from 1993-96.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Not only is junior Livas a threat as a wide receiver, but Livas was among the national leaders last year in punt returns. Ranked seventh in the nation, Livas averaged 15.31 yards per return and ran back two punt returns for touchdowns.

As a sophomore, Livas returned 16 punts for a total of 245 yards. With six total returns for touchdowns to his credit, Livas is slowly approaching an NCAA record. The NCAA record for total kick/punt returns for a touchdown in a career is eight.

 LSU leads the SEC in kickoff coverage with a net average of 45.5 yards. On 44 kickoff returns, LSU is allowing just 17.0 yards per return.

LSU is first in the league in punt return average at 17.3 yards. LSU is No. 3 in the SEC in net punting at 38.2 yards per punt. LSU opponents have returned only nine punts for 41 yards against the Tigers this year.

Trindon Holliday ranks No. 2 in the SEC in punt return average at 14.6 yards a return.

Both LSU punt returners - Chad Jones and Holliday - have returned punts for touchdowns during their career. In 41 punts this year, LSU punters have had 10 downed inside the 20-yard line, including three against Alabama.

SERIES/GAME NOTES

Record: LSU, 17-1 • Last: LSU, 58-10 (2007 at Baton Rouge) LSU and Louisiana Tech meet for the second time in three years and the third time this decade… LSU is 17-1 all-time against the Bulldogs, which includes a 58-10 win in the last meeting between the teams in 2007 … LSU also beat Tech, 49-10, in 2003 … The 2003 game was the first between the teams since 1941… The teams first met in 1901 with LSU winning 57-0 in Baton Rouge ... Tech's only win in the series came in 1904 when the Bulldogs posted a 6-0 win over the Tigers in Ruston … In 18 games vs. LSU, Tech has only scored 42 points as the Tigers have posted 12 shutouts against the Bulldogs … LSU is 12-0 vs. Tech in Baton Rouge … LSU is 23-1 all-time against current members of the WAC.