"Rank the most important games in Tech 1A/FBS History"

[The Historian]

A close 2nd is Ok St. 2002. Was great seeing Les Miles face when we stormed back and won. I wish I could find that game on TV somewhere to watch it again, unfortunately I don't think it was videoed. As the lady says in the "titanic" it exist only in my memories...lol

The game was not televised, as Oakes refused an Oklahoma station's request to televise the game after they didn't sell their ticket allotment. However, there is video out there. I've seen highlights that include Nitz's call. About 10 years ago I tried to track it down and get the game on Youtube but was unsuccessful in finding the tape.

Oklahoma State has video they used for their coach's show. They put the 2001 season online. Last I checked they had not put the 2002 season out there.

[BearDawg137]

2011 Nevada needs some love

That's a good one, happily it's one where we Karma returned us some love after that horrible comeback which Houston gained over us to start the season

[LATechBanjo]

Last 10 Years:

2011 @ Nevada - 24-20 Win - Secured the WAC Championship and helped secure a Conference USA invite.
2012 Utah State - see what sportdawg wrote.
2012 #22 Texas A&M - All-time classic.
2008 Mississippi State - First BCS opponent at home. No BCS/P5 school has ever left JAS with a win. (1-0)
2016 #25 Navy - As the 3rd straight bowl win against a ranked opponent, I think this game had an immeasurable impact on recruiting.

[The Historian]

2011 Nevada needs some love

Nevada in 2011 was a very important game. It gave us a conference championship going into realignment decisions.

The big wins in the late 90s helped get us into the WAC. The wins over Oklahoma State and Michigan State came during losing seasons but helped our brand and perception nationally and gave us separation in recruiting. The 2004 and 2005 wins over Fresno did as well. Without those wins I don't think Dooley would have ever taken the job here sight unseen as he did. Also, our brand and perception had risen to a level where we not only interviewed Dooley but both Kevin Sumlin and Kevin Wilson, as well. I know that Sumlin would have taken it if offered.

The Mississippi State win in 2008 was important because it led to a bowl berth and elevated the perception of the program. That perception made the job attractive enough to where we found a coach in Dykes that led us to a conference title in 2011 and a top 25 ranking in 2012 with 3 more P5 wins in those 2 years. An even greater perception of the program allowed us to hire Holtz and the success he's had.


The first win in the I-A era - a blowout over UL-Lafayette in Cajun Field - set the tone for the next four seasons, including the Baylor win in 1992. The ties against Maryland and South Carolina were also during that era. That success led to Crowton having an interest in our OC job, which eventually led to the wins in the late 90s.

[Cool Hand Clyde]

The next one

[Tech77]

The next one

Thanks, Maxie T.

[PawDawg]

Another wasted opportunity. Two steps back.

[Cal&Ken]

Another wasted opportunity. Two steps back.

Disappointing for sure-it was embarrassing.

[ChipDog]

I heard some folks say, "this game didn't hurt us - we need to win our conference."

However, I "KNOW" that Louisiana Tech University's future would be much brighter if we were to beat every P5 opponent and just enough other games (including conference games) to get to a bowl and then win that - without ever winning a C-USA title.

[faninmonroe]

Last night's game further exposed what NWSU did not.....we are not a good football team right now.

Good football teams don't turn it over that many times in a game
Good football teams don't play poorly when it comes to special teams
Good football teams have an active defense that flies to the ball


Grambling beat NWSU - and the game appears to have never been in any real doubt. NWSU scored 10 points - 7 in the first half and 3 in the second half.

[baw011]

Tech's overall record in the last 9 seasons (2008-2016) is 65-50, .57 W-L% that includes a bowl record of 4-1. Our average SOS during this period was 94 of 128.

However, Louisiana Tech football has 12 Wins - 20 Losses (.375) in "big" games since 2008 that had the potential to advance the program.

These only include games Tech had a chance to win and had something on the line e.i. conference championship, bowl game, big home crowd, P5 opponent, TV game, ranked opponent, in-state opponent, etc. This list does NOT include power5 games we were not competitive in, games against average conference foes, or "not interesting" non-conference opponents.

(In my opinion) in addition to the W-L over this span, there are many positive and negative milestones for La Tech football listed below. +13 program advancing milestones and -9 setbacks.

2016
9-5 SOS 80 Home 20,412
L Arkansas 21-20 (close SEC loss)
W WKU 55-52 (Thursday TV game vs. quality CUSA)
W UTSA 63-35 (homecoming)
L So. Miss 39-24 (chance to host championship)
L WKU 58-44 (embarrassing lack of defense CUSA championship)
W Navy 48-45 (larger than anticipated win over #25 bowl opponent)
+1 $17 million press box construction
-1 missed opportunity to host / loss in CUSA championship game
+1 win 8 games & bowl berth in a "rebuilding year"

2015
8-4 SOS 113 Home 20,977
L Southern Miss 58-24 (CUSA west)
L Mississippi State 45-20 (SEC)
L Kansas State 39-33 (Big12)
+1 $20 million DAC opens
-1 blown out at home
+1 win 8 games & bowl berth


2014
9-5 SOS 75 Home 20,054
Budget $19.2
W Illinois 35-18 (HOD bowl)
L Marshall 26-23 (CUSA champ)
W Rice 76-31 (conference)
L Northwestern 30-27 (in-state)
W ULL 48-20 (in-state)
-1 lose to in-state fcs team
+1 win 9 games & CUSA west
+1 bowl win

2013
4-8 SOS 125 Home 18,666
Budget $18.5
L Army 35-16 (DFW crowd)
L Tulane 24-15 (in-state)
-1 losing season / lose momentum
+1 Dr. Guice & joining CUSA

2012
9-3 SOS 102 Home 25,841*
Budget $18.7
L Utah State 48-41 (chance for BCS)
L Texas A&M 59-57 (tv game)
W Virginia 44-38 (ACC)
W Illinois 52-24 (Big10)
W Houston 56-49 (regional peer)
+1 mid season top 25
+1 win 9 games
-1 lose head coach
-1 missed bowl berth

2011
8-5 SOS 86 Home 21,518
Budget $17.1
L TCU 31-24 (poinsettia bowl)
W Mississippi 27-7 (SEC)
L Mississippi State 26-20 (int in ez)
L Houston 35-34 (blew big lead)
+1 bowl berth
+1 WAC championship

2010
5-7 SOS 69 Home 19,485
Budget $16.5
L Nevada 35-17 (chance to bowl)
L Navy 37-23 (big home crowd)
-1 lose head coach
-1 back to back losing seasons

2009
4-8 SOS 78 Home 20,000
Budget $16.0
L LSU 24-16 (lead halftime)
L Boise State 45-35 (ranked)
+1 video board installed
-1 losing season

2008
8-5 SOS 113 Home 18,020
Budget $14.6
W Mississippi State 22-17 (SEC)
L Nevada 35-31 (home finally)
W Northern Illinois 17-10 (I Bowl)
+1 bowl win w/ good attendance

[dawg80]

The 2008 Moo State final was 22-14....just for the record.

BTW if 2016 was supposed to be a "rebuilding year," then exactly what have we built!?

[sportdawg]

Another wasted opportunity. Two steps back.

yep - i know lots of people that were there for the first time in a long time (if not for the first time). I don't think we need to win this game for it to be a positive. If we'd kept it close- less than 14 points, we might have had a few come back this year or nect. Now we won't see them until Baylor comes to town