AU FOOTBALL 2009 OPPONENT PREVIEWS: High hopes for Louisiana Tech

Editor’s Note: This is the first in a series previewing Auburn’s 2009 football opponents. This week: Louisiana Tech (Sept. 5). The series will run weekly.

Derek Dooley put his name in the hat to become Auburn’s new head football coach this past offseason.

The son of former Auburn player and Georgia coach Vince Dooley wasn’t considered a major candidate, and he quickly withdrew his candidacy, saying he was just happy with Louisiana Tech.

For this year, at least, that decision will likely result in more wins for the young coach.

Dooley, in his third year with the Bulldogs, has a squad loaded with experienced players and is poised to build off the team’s 8-5 finish and Independence Bowl victory over Northern Illinois.

But first, Dooley will have to get past Auburn.

The Bulldogs return 16 starters, including nine on an offense that struggled at the start of 2008, but blossomed once Ross Jenkins established himself as the team’s starting quarterback. In their final five regular season games, the Bulldogs averaged 34 points per game.

Jenkins, now a junior, went 6-2 as the Bulldogs’ starter in 2008 and does not have to battle for the job in fall camp. Former Auburn walk-on Steven Ensminger, the son of the former Tigers’ tight ends coach, will be battling for a backup position against Southern Miss transfer Randy Hardin.

All five of the Bulldogs’ starting offensive linemen return, which should aid in Jenkins’ ability to put the ball in the hands of his potent wideouts.

Considered to be one of the best playmakers in the Western Athletic Conference, Phillip Livas burned defenses as both a receiver and runner in 2008. He led the Bulldogs with 43 catches for 607 yards and two touchdowns while also rushing for 337 yards and two touchdowns. As a punt returner, he ranked seventh in the nation with a 15.31 yards per return average and was 25th on kickoffs, averaging more than 26 yards per return.

Livas played the entire 2008 season with a torn meniscus in his knee. He sat out the entire spring, but should be ready to play in September.

The Bulldogs also remain stacked in the backfield, as All-WAC running back Daniel Porter returns for his senior season. Porter is 1,100 yards from becoming the program’s all-time leading rusher.

On defense, the Bulldogs, who ranked 13th in the nation in rush defense in 2008, lose four starters from last season, but return all four members of their strong defensive line.

First-team All-WAC defensive tackle D’Anthony “Boo” Smith is the centerpiece of the unit. He was one of 48 players in the nation named to the Rotary Lombardi Watch List after a junior campaign where he recorded 65 tackles and five sacks.

The Bulldogs’ biggest weakness may be at linebacker, where they need to fill two spots vacated by graduated players.

In the defensive backfield, Louisiana Tech will be strong at safety but weak at defensive back.

Antonio Baker and Deon Young will each log their third year together as starters at safety. Baker led the Bulldogs in tackles for the second season in a row, totaling 115 tackles, three interceptions, two fumble recoveries and three forced fumbles.

Louisiana Tech needs to replace both its punter and kicker from last season. While Chris Kaegle, a two-time all-conference selection, will be missed at punter, the Bulldogs should expect better than Brad Oestriecher’s 14-for-28 season on field goals.

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