Teams' Belt Records

Previous Belt Meetings:       None

The 2^nd ranked, 8-1 Louisiana State Tigers of coach Les Miles welcomed the 4-5 Louisiana Tech Bulldogs of coach Derek Dooley to Baton Rouge for chance at The Belt.  The Bulldogs were 5-touchdown underdogs entering the game but Coach Dooley had tasted Belt success as a wide receiver on the 1989 Virginia team that held the title.  For an upset to occur, the favorite has to offer opportunities while the underdog has to take advantage of those opportunities.  The Tigers gave Louisiana Tech some opportunities early but the Bulldogs could not capitalize as Louisiana State retained the title with a 58-10 rout.  It was the Tigers' defense that set-up the first score when All-SEC LB Ali Highsmith recovered the fumble of Louisiana Tech's QB Zac Champion at the Bulldogs' 24-yard line.  Five plays later, Louisiana State's QB Matt Flynn scored on a 1-yard touchdown run.  A bad snap on a punt attempt gave the Tigers the ball at the Louisiana Tech 18-yard line which the converted into a 31-yard field goal by All-SEC PK Colt David.  The Bulldogs got their first thought of an upset when S Deon Young intercepted Flynn giving Louisiana Tech the ball at their own 48-yard line.  It took Champion two plays to get his offense in the end zone with the score coming on a 37-yard touchdown pass to WR Brian Jackson.  Another David field goal, this one from 44 yards, pushed the Tigers' lead to 13-7 with 10:40 to play in the half.  When Flynn connected with WR Terrence Toliver on a 71-yard touchdown strike, the game was effectively out of reach for the Bulldogs.  Just 0:56 before intermission, Flynn found WR Brandon LaFell on a 37-yard touchdown pass as the Tigers took a 27-7 lead.  In the 3^rd quarter, the Tigers got a 28-yard field goal from David, an 87-yard touchdown run by RB Jacob Hester, & a 14-yard touchdown pass from Flynn to TE Richard Dickson.  The Bulldogs got a 38-yard field goal from PK Danny Horwedel for their final points but Louisiana State added 15-yard touchdown run from WR Trindon Holliday & a 2-yard touchdown pass from back-up QB Ryan Perriloux to TE Mit Cole to cap the scoring.  Flynn finished with 237 yards passing with 3 touchdowns but 2 interceptions as well as his rushing score.  Hester finished with 115 yard rushing with his touchdown & Toliver had 3 catches for 119 yards with his score.  Champion threw for 189 yards with a touchdown but 2 interceptions in the loss.  Louisiana Tech finished the season 5-7 while Louisiana State finished the season 12-2 & National Champions.  Louisiana Tech has not played for The Belt again.