[Husker_OS]

Tech Topples Hilltoppers

Ruston, LA- The Lousiana Tech Bulldogs welcomed a high powered offense to town in the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers looking for their first win of the Tim Rattay era. While the offense wasn't clicking quite like it was the week before against N.C. State, the Bulldogs were able to put on a defensive show in their Conference USA opener.

Despite the game starting out for the 2nd week in a row with a turnover on the opening drive on offense for the Bulldogs, Tech was focused and determined in their home opener. The Bulldogs held Western Kentucky scoreless for the first half carrying a 13-0 lead into the locker room. With a defensive battle on their hands, Tech shifted gears on offense and attempted 22 fewer passes against Western Kentucky than they did the week before, choosing to pound the running game.

The switch to rushing the ball proved to be the difference in the game as the Hilltoppers would never lead in the ballgame and could only get as a close as 4 points in the 2nd half. Kenneth Dixon and Ryan Higgins teamed up to move the chains and keep Mauro and the Western offense on the sidelines. In the post-game press conference Rattay touched on a few items that he hopes the Bulldogs are able to correct as the season moves on.

"The turnovers are the number one thing holding us back as an offense. We continue to kill promising drives with costly mistakes in the passing game. Tonight I think the interceptions thrown(3) prevented the passing game from ever getting going," said Rattay following the win.

With a slim 6-0 lead midway through the 2nd quarter the coaching staff decided to ditch pass heavy approach following the 2nd interception of the half. After the interception, the Bulldogs defense rose to the occasion but the turnover was costly as it ended the Bulldogs drive deep in Western territory.

"After the 2nd pick and only a 6-0 lead halfway through the second quarter, we decided the only way to win the game would be shift to the running game. Without the shift, I'm not sure we win the game. It was huge," per Rattay.

With the win, Tech is now 1-1 on the season but more importantly, 1-0 in the conference. Up next for the Bulldogs is a home game against Lamar with kickoff set for 4:30 PM(CST) on ESPN3.

Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
Sep 1, 2013	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	SCORE
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (1-0)	0	0	10	6	16
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (0-1)	3	10	7	3	23

Team Stats Comparison
	WKU	LT
Total Offense	272	343
Rushing Yards	6	165
Passing Yards	266	178
First Downs	14	20
Punt Return Yards	13	78
Kick Return Yards	61	117
Total Yards	346	538
Turnovers	2	3
3rd Down Conversion	3-13	7-13
4th Down Conversion	1-3	0-0
2-Point Conversion	0-0	0-0
Red Zone Touchdowns/Field Goals	1-1-0	3-1-2
Penalties	1-5	2-23
Possession Time	15:35	20:25

Western Kentucky Hilltoppers PASSING C/A YDS TD INT James Mauro 19/33 266 1 1 RUSHING ATT YDS AVG TD Antonio Andrews 10 57 5.7 1 James Mauro 16 -53 -3.3 0 RECEIVING REC YDS AVG TD Justin Aikens 7 104 14.8 0 Willie McNeal 2 56 28.0 1 Antonio Andrews 3 28 9.3 0 DEFENSE TACK SACK INT TD Andrew Jackson 7(1) 0.0 0 0 Brett Harrington 6(1) 1.0 0 0 Kiante Young 6 0.0 1 0 Tyree Robinson 5 0.0 2 0 KICKING FG XP PTS LONG Mike Mugler 1/2 1/2 4 53 PUNTING NO YDS AVG IN20 Hendrix Brakefield 4 175 43.7 0 KICK RETURN RET YDS AVG TD Boe Brand 3 61 20.3 0 PUNT RETURN RET YDS AVG TD Tyree Robinson 1 13 13.0 0

Louisiana Tech Bulldogs PASSING C/A YDS TD INT Ryan Higgins 16/30 178 1 3 RUSHING ATT YDS AVG TD Kenneth Dixon 18 77 4.2 0 Ryan Higgins 16 79 4.9 1 RECEIVING REC YDS AVG TD Scott Cathcart 1 20 20.0 1 Jon Greenwalt 9 95 10.5 0 Jacarri Jackson 1 18 18.0 0 Kenneth Dixon 1 12 12.0 0 DJ Banks 2 16 8.0 0 DEFENSE TACK SACK INT TD Jabari Prewitt 9(3) 3.0 1 0 Justin Ellis 4(4) 4.0 0 0 KICKING FG XP PTS LONG Jonathan Barnes 3/3 2/2 11 41 PUNTING NO YDS AVG IN20 TJ Kijak 3 120 40.0 1 KICK RETURN RET YDS AVG TD Bryson Abraham 4 117 29.2 0 PUNT RETURN RET YDS AVG TD Bryson Abraham 4 78 19.5 0