Let’s roll! Will do a new thread monthly

While you are at work tomorrow:
SFA home opener at 1130, ESPN+
Oregon at Georgia 3:30 TruTV

USC at K State tomorrow night

Of note in CUSA action:
NMSU at Kentucky
SHSU at Pacific

Big road game for the Dunkin' Dogs at New Mexico tonight.

Tip-off is at 8 PM on the Mountain West Network. Malcolm Butler will have the radio call on KXKZ 107.5 FM.

Both teams comes in at 5-1 overall.

Tech is a 7.5-point underdog.

Donovan Dent has been stellar for the Lobos at PG. He's averaging 18.8 points and 6.5 assists in his sophomore season.

Richard Pitino's squad plays at the 6th fastest pace in America on offense, so keeping them out of transition is a must. It's an even bigger key because they struggle to shoot the basketball from the outside. Keeping Batcho out of foul trouble will be massive for Tech because of the rim protection he provides.

On the flip side, New Mexico struggles to defend the rim. Pounding the ball inside to Batcho and slowing the pace down might be Tech's game plan tonight. We'll see. Will no doubt be a tough environment as The Pit is one of the toughest places to play in college basketball.

Dunkin’ Dogs (2-1):

11.21 - vs Southern Utah — 3 PM tipoff on ESPN+

11.22 - vs McNeese — 3 PM tipoff on ESPN+

11.25 - vs Dillard — 2 PM tipoff on ESPN+

Big week. Need to get all 3 at home.

Lady Techsters (2-1):

11.24 - @ Drake — 2 PM tipoff on ESPN+

11.25 - vs Maine — 11:30 AM tipoff on ESPN+

11.26 - vs Richmond — 11:30 AM tipoff on ESPN+

All 3 games will be played at Drake.

Where do these weird sports team names originate?

It’s time to check out the trenches. How did the OL & DL perform in 2023?

Offensive Line

PFF Overall Grade

Christman - 72.7 (15 snaps)
Hale - 70.4
Bowser - 66.4 (27 snaps)
Kelly - 65.5 (6 snaps)
Canis - 63.6 (12 snaps)
White - 61.2
Brewster - 60.1 (6 snaps)
Bruno - 59.3
Gilbert - 59.3
Bannister - 55.2 (135 snaps)
Delfin - 54.8
Nelson - 51.1 (87 snaps)
Rossell - 48.2 (225 snaps)

Run Blk PFF Grade

Christman - 70.8
Bowser - 65.8
Hale - 65.4
Kelly 65.2
Canis - 62.5
Brewster - 59.2
Bruno - 58.2
White - 55.9
Delfin - 54.5
Nelson - 54.3
Gilbert - 54.1
Bannister - 46.3
Rossell - 44.7

Pass Blk PFF Grade

Hale - 82.9
Christman - 81.6
Brewster - 74.1
Kelly - 73.1
Gilbert - 72
Canis - 69.4
Nelson - 68.8
Bowser - 67.5
White - 66
Bruno - 65.7
Delfin - 58.4
Rossell - 48.3

Pressures Allowed

Bruno - 30
White - 20
Delfin - 17
Gilbert - 15
Hale - 8
Rossell - 6
Bannister - 5
Bowser - 1

- Bert Hale was really good in 2023, like maybe get a shot in the NFL one day good.
- Bruno struggled for first 6-7 games with hand in a cast, but he was solid down the stretch.
- Easily the best year of Dakota White’s career.
- Four of the five starters on the offensive line can return in 2024.
- I do wonder if you had Crosby/Shelton carrying the load all year at RB if the grades in run game would’ve been better.

Flower Mound Marcus, TX DT at 6-2 265.
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BC & Beck are back for BTB Radio on Tuesday night! SportsTalk 97.7 FM at 6 PM.

- Bachmeier to the transfer portal. What does it mean for 2024?
- Dunkin' Dogs off to a 5-1 start, big road game at New Mexico on Wednesday night.
- Techsters w/ a tough weekend in Des Moines, back home on Wednesday against ULM
- Sean Paul w/ The Field of 68 will join us at 6:25 to talk CUSA Hoops, LATech/New Mexico
- K Jacob Barnes will join us at 6:40 in studio to discuss his career at Louisiana Tech

Questions?

Calls/Texts - (888)-993-7762

Let’s take a look at the RBs, WRs, and TEs from the 2023 season.

Stats

Running Back

Shelton | 97 carries for 551 yards, 5 TDs

Willis | 51 carries for 288 yards, 7 TDs

Thornton | 55 carries for 270 yards, 1 TD

Moody | 34 carries for 149 yards

Fields | 26 carries for 105 yards, 2 TDs

Crosby | 1 carry for 20 yards

Williams | 8 carries for 11 yards, 1 TD

PFF Grade for RBs

Shelton - 75.4
Willis - 72.6
Crosby - 72
Fields - 70.8
Moody - 64.8
Thornton - 58.3
Williams - 53.5

Yards after Contact

Moody - 3.2
Willis - 3.2
Shelton - 3.0
Thornton - 2.5
Fields - 2.2
Williams - 1.4

- We could argue that Teddy Veal did the best job of any of the assistants this season with all the injuries he dealt with and how the production was still pretty solid.
- Willis & Crosby could be a nice 1-2 punch in 2024.
- Fields is a nice chess piece if used the right way. He’s got some juice, maybe more of an offensive weapon than a true RB or WR.
- I didn’t love that Thornton basically tried to play hurt all year. He was pretty dang good in 2022, but he wasn’t healthy all season long. Even if the kid wanted to play, I feel like it would’ve helped the team to sit him and get him healthy.

It’s time to take a look back at the 2023 season that saw the Bulldogs finish 3-9 (2-6).

We will evaluate each position with a combination of stats + PFF data and evaluate the health of the position going forward.

First up, Quarterback.

Stats

Hank Bachmeier | 182/269 (68%) for 2,058 yards, 12 total TDs, 5 INTs

Jack Turner | 84/148 (57%) for 1,017 yards, 7 total TDs, 5 INTs

Evan Bullock | 2/5 (40%) for 21 yards, INT

PFF Grades

Bachmeier | 79
Turner | 58.5
Bullock | 35.6

PFF Detailed Passing Game

Bachmeier

Passing Pressure

Kept Clean | 152/203 (75%) for 1,681 yards, 7 TDs & 2 INTs
Under Pressure | 33/70 (47%) for 390 yards, 3 TDs & 3 INTs
Not Blitzed | 140/197 (71%) for 1,655 yards, 7 TDs & 3 INTs
When Blitzed | 45/75 (59%) for 416 yards, 3 TDs & 2 INTs

Passing Depth

Behind LOS | 49/54 (91%) for 196 yards, 2 TDs & 1 INT
0-9 Yards | 90/116 (78%) for 784 yards, 2 TDs & 1 INT
10-19 Yards | 31/50 (62%) for 583 yards, 5 TDs & 2 INTs
20+ Yards | 15/38 (40%) for 508 yards, 1 TD & 1 INT

- PFF credited Bachmeier with 6 fumbles. Not sure how many of those were lost.
- Excluding sacks, PFF credited Bachmeier with 18 rushes for 155 yards.

Turner

Passing Pressure

Kept Clean | 70/118 (59%) for 854 yards, 4 TDs & 5 INTs
Under Pressure | 16/31 (52%) for 166 yards, 1 TD
Not Blitzed | 63/100 (63%) for 708 yards, 4 TDs & 4 INTs
When Blitzed | 23/49 (47%) for 312 yards, 1 TD & 1 INT

Passing Depth

Behind LOS | 37/40 (93%) for 233 yards, 1 TD
0-9 Yards | 24/40 (60%) for 196 yards, 2 INTs
10-19 Yards | 14/29 (48%) for 287 yards, 1 INT
20+ Yards | 11/27 (41%) for 304 yards, 4 TDs & 2 INTs

- PFF credited Turner with 7 fumbles. Not sure how many of those were lost.
- Excluding sacks, PFF credited Turner with 19 carries for 102 yards.

Outlook for 2024

- Jack Turner (RS JR), Evan Bullock (RS FR), and Blake Baker (RS FR) are expected to return in 2024.
- The trio has combined to complete 102/182 (56%) for 1,214 yards, 6 TDs & 8 INTs in their careers.
- With that said, I would imagine that Sonny Cumbie will look to the portal or JC ranks for additional help at QB.
- At a minimum, Turner is a solid backup with game experience while Bullock and Baker continue to develop within the offense behind the scenes.

Check it out:

Amik Robertson (Raiders) -- 50 snaps played, 61.7 PFF grade, 3 tackles, allowed 3/4 passes to be completed for 29 yards

L'Jarius Sneed (Chiefs) -- 58 snaps played, 63.7 PFF Grade, 9 tackles, 2 QB Pressures, allowed 7/10 passes to be completed for 90 yards

Trent Taylor (Bears) -- 3 snaps played, 57 PFF Grade, 61.1 punt return grade, 1 return for 1 yard, 1 fair catch

Xavier Woods (Panthers) -- 53 snaps played, 67.1 PFF grade, 2 tackles, 1/1 passes to be completed for 19 yards, 1 PBU

Milton Williams (Eagles) -- DNP (Concussion)

Boston Scott (Eagles) -- 5 snaps played, 58.2 PFF Grade, 2 carries for 14 yards, 2 missed tackles forced

Hank Bachmeier is in the portal, and Tech is in the market for a new QB.

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Question for those in the know: Did Holtz's contract have a duty to mitigate clause that would lower our payout once we fired him, and if so, how much does he get paid now to coach the Stallions? Have we been able to offset our payout to him as a result?

Are such clauses generally included in HC contracts, are are payouts upon termination guaranteed regardless?

On a related note, is there a similar clause in Cumbie's contract? (Having said that, it is clear that Holtz had much better prospects when he was fired than Cumbie could hope for when he is canned - but hey, every little bit helps).

BC & Beck are back for BTB Radio on Tuesday night! SportsTalk 97.7 FM at 6 PM.

- We’ll recap Tech’s historic performance at Jacksonville State
- We’ll react to some of the coaching changes
- We’ll react to Tech’s 3rd straight 3-win season and how optimistic we are for the program getting back to its winning ways in 2024
- Matt Belinson w/ The Ruston Daily Leader joins us at 6:30 to share his thoughts on football season

- We’ll breakdown the Dunkin’ Dogs game vs Southern Utah + our optimism for Hester’s squad going forward

Calls/Texts — (888)-993-7762

LA Tech & Dillard are set for a 2 PM tipoff from the Thomas Assembly Center on Saturday.

Tech is looking for its 5th straight win.

I know this game won’t get a lot of chatter, but I think it’s important. Why is it important? There will be times this season when Daniel Batcho gets in foul trouble. We know what Will Allen is off the bench, but Terri Miller has to be ready to make an impact as well. Getting Miller extended minutes today is big for him in knocking the rust off coming off the broken foot.

Take care of business.

Decided to book a European vacation for October

Yesterday as I was preparing to leave the game, I ran into 3 menacing recruits with tags around their necks. I asked them if they enjoyed the game and they mentioned that they did. I then asked, will yall give Louisiana Tech a look because we need players like yall to turn the program around. They looked at me and said “no sir and started laughing”!!!

That hurt me.

2 stars and zero stars are our best friends now.

Louisiana Tech & Sam Houston State are scheduled for a 2 PM kickoff on Saturday afternoon.

The game will be on ESPN+/KXKZ 107.5 FM for those watching/listening at home.

The Bulldogs come in at 3-7 (2-4). The Bearkats are 1-8 (0-5).

Louisiana Tech has lost 4 one-score games in 2023, while Sam Houston State has also lost 4 one-score games. Both teams are clearly better than their records would indicate, so we are likely in for a really good football game.

Tech is a 7.5-point favorite. O/U 49.5.

Hank Bachmeier has not thrown an INT in his last 139 pass attempts. Bachmeier has 9 TDs & 0 INTs in his last 5 games.

Smoke Harris will play his final home game in a Bulldog uniform. Harris has a catch in 42-straight games.

DeMarcus Griffin-Taylor averaged 27.8 yards per kickoff return & was named CUSA Special Teams Player of the Week last week. Hopefully he can keep that going.

DeShon Hall will play his final home game in a Tech uniform on Saturday. Hall has a career-high 3.5 sacks.

It’s homecoming, let’s gooooooo!!!! Looking forward to seeing everyone at The Joe!

Wanted to let you all know my wife Jessica pulled off the win in House District 53 last Saturday!

I think we will have a great friend to Tech in the legislature....

Happy Thanksgiving, friends.

Collectively, we all have much for which to be thankful. I hope you and your family do as well.

Lastly, I pray all of you remain safe and avoid the dangers inherent to this particular holiday.

Louisiana Tech & McNeese are set for a 3 PM tipoff on Wednesday afternoon.

Game will be on ESPN+/107.5 FM.

Tech is a 6.5-point favorite.

Should be a really good challenge for the ‘Dogs.

Myles Carelock is gone as well, per sources.

Nate Johnson is gone as well, per sources.

We'll keep up with the roster for next year in this thread. I'll keep it updated throughout the off-season.

Position Players:

C Jorge Corona
C Jackson Slaughter
C Baylor Cobb

INF Will Safford
INF Logan McLeod
INF Colton Hegwood
INF Grant Comeaux
INF Slade Netterville
INF/P Ethan Bates
INF/OF Dalton Davis
INF/C Karson Evans

OF Cole McConnell
OF Adarius Myers
OF Brody Drost
OF Thaxton Berch
OF Nick Alonso
OF Luke Smith
OF/LHP CJ Sturiale

RHP Isaac Crabb
RHP Jacob Havern
RHP Grant Hubka
RHP Nick Fraginals
RHP Greg Martinez
RHP Reed Smith
RHP Alec Sparks
RHP Ryan Porche

LHP Ryan Harland
LHP Caden Copeland
LHP Hayden Toal

Signees/Transfer Commits:

RHP Hayden Harmon
RHP Blake Hooks (JUCO Transfer)
RHP Nate Crider (JUCO Transfer)
RHP Josh Taylor (JUCO Transfer)
RHP Sam Broderson (Transfer from Wingate University)
RHP Turner Swistak (Transfer from Tennessee)
RHP Brenton Thiels (Transfer from West Alabama)
RHP Will Melby (Transfer from UCF)

LHP Reece Tarini
LHP Brodey Walker
LHP Luke Nichols (JUCO Transfer)
LHP Connor Nation (JUCO Transfer)

C Jake LaRocca

INF Colton Coates
INF/P Will Mabry
INF/OF Hutson Guinn
INF Jake Smith
INF Reid Snider
INF Michael Ballard (Transfer from Eckerd College)
INF Kasten Furr (Transfer from UNO)

OF Cade Patterson

I'll answer any questions that you guys might have. If I missed anyone, please let me know. If anyone is leaving that you hear of, please let me know.

Louisiana Tech will host Southern Utah on Tuesday afternoon.

Tipoff is scheduled for 3 PM on ESPN+/KXKZ 107.5 FM.

Tech is 2-1 overall, and Southern Utah is 1-2.

Rob Jeter is in his first year as the HC of the Thunderbirds, so they have a number of new faces across their roster.

The Bulldogs are a 13.5-point favorite.

There are a lot of opinions on what staff changes should happen. Not to mention the ramp up in recruiting now that season is coming to a close. It’s do or die for this football staff if they want to see real change. Realistically, what should change, and what will change?

DC is likely gone (speculating), I wonder who else walks out with him. I hope to see a restructure on offense as well, if Cumbie stays he has just got to figure out how to run a game day offense.

I also really hope staff is prioritizing recruiting this week especially with our season ending sooner than most. I know it’s thanksgiving week and things slow, but my Lord if you look at our rivals commits list, it’s disheartening compared to years past.

Came across this Wiki, it lists Sonny Cumbie as an Air Raid coach. Should we update this wiki article and remove his name?