utep injury update...

[IE]

UTEP head coach Mike Price used a team from another sport to prove his point Thursday.

"I told them do what the Boston Red Sox did -- win (the next game)," he said. "Beat Louisiana Tech. Nothing else matters. For some players, it could be their last game. So play like it's your last game."

The Miners (4-2, 2-1 in the Western Athletic Conference) visit the Bulldogs (4-3, 3-0) at 1 p.m. Saturday in a game that could have conference championship ramifications.

Price said he was pleased with practice this week.

"We've had two good practices in a row," he said this week. "Now I'm worried that I don't have anything to worry about."

The Miners leave for Ruston, La., today.

# Injury report:
Saturday will mark the return of senior safety Matt Elwood, who broke his arm during August training camp.

"We're good at safety," Price said. "Which is good this week, because they could be involved in a lot of tackling."

Also returning: defensive lineman Brian Givens (neck) and offensive lineman Robert Espinosa (ankle).

Out for Saturday's game: Receiver Chris Marrow (knee) and safety James Delgardo (knee).

# Playing time?:
Receiver Dirk Dillard, an El Paso native, received many of the reps this week as a backup to the injured Marrow. He is listed at No. 2 at slotback behind Aaron Givens. But Price said he didn't know who would be playing.

"We're moving guys around at slotback," Price said.

# Possible redshirt:
Price said junior transfer defensive back Andre Bailey could redshirt this season.

 

[IE]

Last home stand for 24 Tech seniors


RUSTON - Saturday's homecoming game against UTEP is not only Louisiana Tech's last game at Joe Aillet Stadium this season; it is also the last time 24 seniors will play there.

"It does give this game extra meaning," said senior defensive end Travon Brown. "It's a realization that you're getting older and you'll be on your own soon. You appreciate what they've done for you here. You are away from home, but it's a pampered community."

The seniors who will make their final appearance at Aillet are: James Atkins, Corey Brazil, Lester Brown, Travon Brown, Robert Burrell, Jemelle Cage, Aaron Capps, Julius Cosby, Tramissian Davis, Derrick Farrow, Erick Franklin, Adrian Gonzalez, Myron Hawthorne, Ira Horyna, Johnny Jackson, T.J. Jackson, Lee Johnson, Michael Johnson, Jordan Lang, John Nash, Soibi Ogbanga, Chris Van Hoy, Danny Wilson and Jerron Wishom.

"I probably won't feel it until the season is over," Nash said. "Maybe in two weeks (during the bye week) I'll sit down and look back, but those feelings will come later. Now I'm so excited to be winning games."

Said Capps: "It's been a fun run. This year there's been lot better crowds than in the past and I hear it's going to be a good turnout this Saturday. I've enjoyed it all and the seniors have enjoyed it. A lot of seniors will be playing their hearts out."

Nitz honored: Dave Nitz, whose voice has been associated with Louisiana Tech athletics for the last 30 years will be honored Saturday as an honorary captain. Nitz, who is the play-by-play man for the Bulldog football team, men's basketball team and baseball team, has broadcast 1,631 Tech games during his tenure.

During his career Nitz also called women's basketball and softball.

C-USA bowl: Saturday's game also pits the two universities who battled each other to get into Conference-USA this past year. The nod eventually went to UTEP, who will join C-USA next summer and begin playing football in the 2005 season.

Don't think the Tech administration wouldn't love to see the Bulldogs send a message to C-USA with a victory over the Miners.

Giveaways: During Saturday's game, Tech students will have a chance to walk away with some nice prizes. During the second half, Tech will give away a television, Playstation2, X-Box, digital cameras, I-Pod and satellite radio.

Students will receive a ticket when they enter the stadium and the drawings will occur throughout the second half.

Woofin': "When you have (fans) around here who care what's going on, that's great. Fans care this year. Every play, good or bad, they cheer. In years past it was 'Get him out of there' or 'Fire the coach.' We don't need 100,000 fans we just need 20,000 to 25,000 that care." - Tech senior linebacker John Nash.

Home run hitters: Tech receivers Tramissian Davis and Jonathan Holland are forming quite a deep threat tandem. Holland leads the team in yards per catch at 24.6, while Davis is right behind him at 23.8.

Davis' longest reception is for 93 yards, which he hauled in last week against SMU, while Holland had a 79-yarder against Miami.

Kibbles & Bits: The national anthem will be sung Saturday by Tech alum Randy Smith. Smith is a captain in the U.S. Army and a veteran of both the Gulf War and current conflict in Iraq. Smith sang the national anthem at a game last year and has been an occasional sideline guest on the road. Last year he was at the UTEP game in El Paso and this year he was at the Auburn game. ... UTEP linebackers Robert Rodriguez and Godwin Akinduro rank second and fourth, respectively, in the WAC in tackles per game.

 

[IE]

UTEP (4-2, 2-1) La. Tech (4-2, 3-0)

-- Kickoff: Saturday, 2 p.m.

-- Site: Joe Aillet Stadium (30,600)

-- Series: Tech leads 6-1

-- Last meeting: 2003, Tech 38-35

Inside stuff

HIGGINS FACES OLD TEAM

Tech first-year special teams/tight ends coach Patrick Higgins is familiar with UTEP. Higgins spent six years as a Miners' assistant, serving as offensive coordinator from 2000-2003.

Higgins was let go when Gary Nord was fired after last season. Higgins has no inside knowledge of what new coach Mike Price and his staff are doing, and he's approaching this as another game.

"You recruit those kids and spend a lot of time making sure they go to class and watch them mature,' he said. "I've got a new family now and I'm trying to make sure we're in the best possible position to compete for the WAC championship.'

Bicknell, who is friends with Nord, hired Higgins based on the former UTEP coach's recommendation. Bicknell acknowledges Price has done a good job of turning the Miners around, but believes Nord and his staff deserve some credit.

"I don't care how good a coach you are, if there aren't players there, you're not going to have success. This is basically a team put together by Gary and his staff last year.'

CRUNCHING THE NUMBERS

On the surface, Tech's defensive statistics aren't all that impressive - allowing 30.6 points and 400.3 yards per game. But if you take out the numbers from Tech's three games against Miami, Tennessee and Auburn, you get a truer reading of what's going on. In those four games, Tech is allowing 17.3 points and 324.7 yards per game.