Fresno State Athletics
'Dogs Can Claim WAC Title Friday Against Louisiana Tech
11/28/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Complete Release in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader
Purchase Louisiana Tech Tickets Here
Nov. 28, 2005
No. 22 Fresno State (8-3, 6-1) vs. Louisiana Tech (6-4, 5-2)
Date: Friday, Dec. 2
Kickoff: 6 p.m. PT
Site: Bulldog Stadium (41,031)
Radio: KMJ (AM 580); Dog Talk at 4 p.m.; Countdown to Kickoff (5:30 p.m.)
Play-by-Play: Bill Woodward; Analyst: Mark Barsotti; Sideline: Ron Shapley
Television: ESPN2
Play-by-Play: Dave Pasch; Analysts: Rod Gilmore & Trevor Matich; Sideline: Stacy Dales-Schuman
WAC Championship Week
Fresno State and Louisiana Tech will be playing the final regular season games of the season for both teams and each have a lot at stake. Fresno State can claim a share of the WAC championship while La Tech can move on step closer to securing a bowl invitation. Boise State and Nevada have clinched a share of the WAC title posting records of 7-1.
Dogs Going to AutoZone Liberty Bowl
Fresno State accepted an invitation to play in the 47th Annual AutoZone Liberty Bowl on Dec. 31 at 10 a.m. PT in Memphis. The Bulldogs will play a team from Conference USA in the game, that will be shown live on ESPN. It's the middle of three bowl games that day. It's Fresno State's seventh consecutive bowl appearance and the first in school history in which the Dogs will play east of the Mississippi River.
Dogs Ranked No. 22
Despite Fresno State's loss at Nevada, the Bulldogs remained ranked in the nation's top 25, settling in at No. 22 in the USA Today Coaches Poll and No. 23 in this week's Associated Press poll and Harris Interactive Poll.
About La Tech
Louisiana Tech has been one of the best teams in the WAC this season. Running back Matt Dillard has been among the WAC rushing leaders and he averages nearly five yards per carry. Quarterback Matt Kubik has thrown twice as many touchdowns as interceptions this season and been a solid contributor. La Tech boasts one of the WAC's top kickers, in sophomore Danny Horwedel. La Tech's defense ranks third in the WAC in scoring and total defense. La Tech is bowl eligible, winning six of its last eight games.
Series History
Fresno State has won five of the six games in the series, which began in 1986. This will be the fifth game played at Bulldog Stadium, where Fresno State last won by a score of 16-6 in 2003. Louisiana Tech got its only win in the series last year in Ruston by a score of 28-21, knocking off the No. 17 ranked and undefeated Fresno State Bulldogs.
Senior Salute
Friday's game is the last regular season game for 15\6 Bulldog seniors, who will be playing their final game in Bulldog Stadium. This senior class has won three consecutive bowl games, been invited to four bowl games, and guided the program in the top 20 in each of the last two years. During the last four seasons, this senior class has a cumulative record of 26-14. The 2005 Bulldog seniors are: Tyrone Culver, Awan Diles, Kyle Goodman, Jason Huss, Jermaine Jamison, Adam Jennings, Wendell Mathis, Devyn McDonald, Garrett McIntyre, Nick Neal, Paul Pinegar, Matt Rivera, Emanuel Sanchez, Dartangon Shack, Bryson Sumlin and Raymond Washington.
Senior Tackle Set For Thursday, Dec. 1
Fresno State's annual senior tackle drill will be held Thursday, Dec. 1, at 7 p.m. in Bulldog Stadium. It is a traditional ceremony that signifies the final time the Bulldog seniors will hit a tackling dummy. Each senior will speak before running down a gauntlet of teammates to make their final tackle. The public is invited.
Dogs in December
December has been a great month for the Bulldogs, who have won four consecutive games in the month. Some of Fresno State's most historic wins in school history have happened in December, including bowl wins over No. 18 Virginia, UCLA, Georgia Tech and USC. Fresno State has never lost a regular season game in December, including a win over Louisiana Tech 45-13 on Dec. 5, 2003 in Ruston, La.
