Liberty plays Louisiana Tech in a Conference USA game on Saturday, November 4. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. from Lynchburg, Virginia and will be televised on CBSSN.
To help us get prepared for the game against the Bulldogs, we are pleased to have Bleed Tech Blue provide some insight on this year’s Louisiana Tech team.
ASOR: What is the overall feeling surrounding this year within the program thus far as we start to near the end of the season?
Bleed Tech Blue: For the most part, I think the fan base was expecting a big step forward in 2023 and that hasn’t happened. Yes, there are the four one-score losses but I’m not sure that paints a great picture of where the program is at. The week-to-week consistency in all three phases isn’t showing up. Hank Bachmeier was injured early in the year, then Jack Turner made four starts at quarterback with so-so production at best. Tech failed to win a game in October. To say that the 2023 season has been frustrating would be a understatement.
ASOR: What has been your feeling/evaluation of Hank Bachmeier and Jack Turner as the season has played out and what is the expectation for their production in this game/the rest of the season?
BTB: When Bachmeier has been in there, he’s clearly been the better of the two with a 67.5% completion rate to go along with 9 total TDs and only 2 INTs. Turner started four games, which we can debate the reason why but most believe he had emerged as the starter over Bachmeier. The results weren’t great with a 1-3 record and a completion rate of 51% on throws that were beyond the line of scrimmage. I would anticipate that Bachmeier starts on Saturday. Tech has been at its best when they play tempo on offense, we’ll see if they choose to do so against the Flames.
ASOR: Who do you consider to be the biggest X factor on the LA Tech offense besides the quarterback? How about for the defense?
BTB: Tyre Shelton is the x-factor on offense. The transfer running back from Miami (OH) hasn’t been healthy much in 2023, but he’s averaging 7 yards per carry on 75 carries. He gives the offense a home-run dimension.
Defensively, the x-factor is Michael Richard. Richard is just a true freshman, but he’s put together a fantastic year from his nickel position with 22 tackles and 5 passes defended.
ASOR: What do you expect the ending record for this team to look like and what would make for a successful season?
BTB: Ideally, Tech would go 1-2 over its final three games to finish 4-8. Is that a successful season? Of course not, but it’s the most that Bulldog fans can hope for at this point.
ASOR: What player has broken out this year or do you think has a good chance to?
BTB: I’ll go with LB Zach Zimos. The transfer from Arkansas didn’t play a whole lot early in the year, but after a couple of injuries he’s carved himself out a nice role. With 44 tackles, 3 TFL, and 1 sack the ‘Dogs have found a linebacker that plays well in the box and on the perimeter.
ASOR: Where do you think the Flames will struggle the most against this team?
BTB: If Tech is going to have success, it’s going to be with a hurry up offense. Bachmeier is a good distributor at QB that can really get through his reads and deliver the ball accurately. With Shelton, Smoke Harris, and Cyrus Allen, Tech has the ABILITY to put up some points. Can they avoid loss yardage plays, turnovers, and penalties to allow themselves to perform at a high level? We’ll see.
ASOR: What is your final score prediction for this game?
BTB: Liberty 45-24. The rushing attack coupled with Kaidon Salter’s elite ability to throw the ball down the field off of play action will be too much for the Bulldogs to handle on Saturday.
