Tech Media Relations

Sophomore running back Mark Dillard gained 100 yards and Louisiana Tech's defense recorded 13 sacks as the Bulldog football team held Bone Bowl III last Saturday at Joe Aillet Stadium.

Tech's offensive squads accounted for 17 points with Dillard scoring on a 65-yard scamper and Zac Champion throwing a 62-yard touchdown to Brian Carroll.

Zack Myatt and Danny Horwedel tacked on the extra points on those scores, while Horwedel also recorded the game's first score on a 27-yard field goal.

Champion led Tech quarterbacks by connecting on 5-of-6 attempts for 123 yards and a touchdown, while Matt Kubik completed 11-of-20 attempts for 77 yards. Donald Allen completed only 7-of-17 of his attempts for 79 yards but was picked off by both Tramon Williams and Adrian Jackson.

Tech head coach Jack Bicknell said he's looking forward to this fall, but even after spring practice, question marks still linger.

"I'm excited about this year's team," Bicknell said. "We got some young guys taking over areas, but the key will be how fast they get ready to go. The quarterbacks are still battling it out for the top spot. It's very difficult to put judgment on which one will be the main guy in September. So we'll see how this summer goes."

Carroll topped Tech's receivers with six catches for 119 yards, while Dillard added four receptions for 21 yards. Roderick Handy and Thomas Augusta added three catches each with Handy gaining 56 yards and Augusta accounting for 21 yards.

Dillard carried the ball 16 times for a 6.2 average, and Freddie Franklin added 14 carries for 42 yards. Kenny Hicks also received quite a few touches out of Tech's backfield, rushing the ball 12 times for 24 yards.

Bicknell knew his defense outplayed the offense but was still enlightened on the performance of his running backs and wide receivers.

"On offense we saw some good things," Bicknell said. "The running backs looked great, as did the young wide receivers. We're still waiting on the freshmen and junior college players we signed, so the depth right now is a little bare."

Tech's defense swarmed all three quarterbacks throughout the annual spring game, sacking Allen six times, Champion four times and Kubik three times.

Bicknell recognized the potential and work ethic of his 2005 defensive squad.

"It was very difficult to judge after only running offense against defense, but I was very happy with the defense," Bicknell said.

"They showed a lot of strength and should be good next season. The secondary, however, is the key question."

Thomas Washington led Tech with nine tackles and a sack, while Wendell Crowe chipped in with eight tackles and 1.5 sacks.

Thaddeus Williams, who has spent much of spring practice working on offense at tight end, and Jeremy Hamilton each recorded two sacks for the Bulldogs.

Alton Bryant, Gregory Hollins, Tramon Williams, Quin Harris, Moqut Ruffins and Eddie White added one sack each.

Joshua Muse rounded out Tech's sack attack, sharing a takedown with Crowe. Torrance Hampton had a pair of pass breakups to lead the Bulldogs while Terence Alexander, Bo Cox and Justin Johnston added one each.

Horwedel went 1-of-2 on his field goal attempts, making the first one and going wide left on a 45-yard attempt on the game's final play.

Daniel Oestricher failed on both of his attempted field goals, hitting an upright from 31 yards out and sailing his other 26-yard attempt wide right.