Fresno State Athletics
Dogs are Ruston Bound
10/28/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 28, 2008
Fresno State (5-2, 2-1 WAC) vs Louisiana Tech (3-4, 1-2 WAC)
Date: Saturday, Nov. 1, 2008
Kickoff: 11:30 a.m. PT
Site: Joe Ailett Stadium (25,513); Ruston, La.
Radio: KMJ (AM 580); Dog Talk (9:30 a.m.) Countdown to Kickoff (11 a.m.)
Play-by-Play: Bill Woodward; Analyst: Jordan Christensen; Sideline: Steve Gonzales
ESPN Deportes (1600 AM) in Spanish
Play-by-Play: Jess Gonzalez; Analysts: Sam Sosa and Doug Kessler
Television: Bulldog Sports Network (Bulldog Blitz pregame begins at 11 a.m.)
KAIL-TV Digital 7.1 (MY 53)/Comcast Cable 13/KUVI in Bakersfield/Comcast SportsNet
Play-by-Play: Ralph Wood; Analyst: Randy Rosenbloom
Dogs Louisiana Bound
Winners of four of their last five games, the Bulldogs take a perfect 4-0 road record to Ruston, La., to play Louisiana Tech. The Dogs need one more victory this season to become bowl eligible.
Complete Release in PDF Format 
About La Tech
After winning two of its first three games to start the season, including a home win over Mississippi State, Louisiana Tech has won just once in its last four outings. The Bulldogs are coming of a 14-7 loss at Army last weekend and are 1-2 in WAC games. La Tech beat Idaho at home Oct. 18 and lost at Boise State and Hawaii. The Bulldogs have not lost at home this season (3-0) and have won six of their last eight at home. The losses were to Hawaii 45-44 in overtime and to Boise State 48-31 last season. La Tech has one of the most explosive players in the WAC in Phillip Livas, who leads the league and ranks No. 26 on the NCAA in all-purpose yardage (150.1). The Bulldogs are a good team defending the run, ranking No. 35 in the NCAA, allowing approximately 115 yards per game.
Against La Tech
Fresno State owns a 7-2 all-time record against Louisiana Tech, both losses coming in the 2004 and 2005 seasons. Fresno State has won twice since, including a 34-27 win on Nov. 24, 2006 in Ruston, the last trip there. Fresno State is 2-1 at Joe Ailett Stadium. Under Pat Hill, the Dogs are 5-2 against La Tech.
Going on Offense
Fresno State's offensive production has been impressive so far this season. The Dogs rank 30th in the nation in scoring (32.7 ppg), 16th nationally in rushing (226.0) and 26th in total offense (429.1). The Dogs are second in the WAC (to Nevada) in all of those categories. Fresno State leads the WAC in field goals (12). Fresno State ranks second in the league in average yard per play, 6.5 yards, second to Nevada (6.9). The Dogs have thrown 10 touchdowns and have the second-fewest interceptions (5). Fresno State is averaging 7.7 yards per pass play, third-best average in the WAC. The Dogs also lead the WAC in fourth down conversions, hitting all six attempts and rank second in third down conversion percentage (.433).
Road Victors
For just the fourth time in school history, Fresno State has won its first four road games of the season. The last time the Dogs won five consecutive road games to start the season was in 1985. Fresno State has five games remaining, three on the road and two at Bulldogs Stadium.
The Games of November
Pat Hill uses the words of former Bulldog coach Jim Sweeney to sometimes motivate his team, and one of his favorite Sweeney sayings is: "The games of November are the ones you remember." Under Hill, the Dogs have taken that to heart with an impressive 31-10 record in games played in the 11th month. The Dogs have won 23 of their last 28 November games since the 2000 season for a winning percentage of 82 percent. Fresno State closes the regular season with five consecutive November games.
Join the State -- Fresno State! The `Dogs continue WAC road play as they travel to Ruston, Louisiana to take on Louisiana Tech on Saturday, November 1 at 11:30 a.m. The game will be broadcast by the Bulldog Sports Network and can be seen on KAIL-TV Digital 7.1 (MY 53) beginning at 11 a.m. with the Bulldog Blitz pre-game show. The `Dogs return home to Bulldog Stadium on Friday, November 7 as they host Nevada at 6 p.m. in a game televised nationally on ESPN2. To purchase tickets, click on the tickets icon at the top of this page, call the Bulldog Ticket Office at (559) 278-DOGS, or stop by the Bulldog Ticket Office.
