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This summer, The Clemson Insider is keeping a close eye on Clemson’s opponents heading into the 2022 season. The series will be released in the order in which each opponent appears on the Tigers schedule.
After previewing Georgia Tech and Furman, Louisiana Tech is next.
Louisiana Tech begins this fall.
Skip Holmes has led the Bulldogs to eight victories in his two seasons as head coach. One of the brightest young minds in the sport is Sony Cumbie, a former Texas Tech quarterback and offensive coordinator.
After winning just three games last season, however, there is still a lot of work to be done for Kumbi and his first-year squad before Tech travel to Clemson on September 17.
Destruction
Mike Leach’s disciple, Cumbie, wants to implement a wider offense and improve the air strike at Louisiana Tech once again at 35th nationwide (262.6 yards per game). The question is, who would trust Kumbi to control the crime? The Bulldogs need a new first-quarter back, and Texas Tech Transfer Parker McCannel, former Georgia and TC Signal caller Matt Down and junior college transfers Jack Turner will enter the relegation zone.
Tech still has a weapon on the outside with a quick smoke haris (team-top 71 caught last season), and the offensive line is in good shape with more than half of the starting five coming back. But finding the right balance on the ground will be key to the Bulldogs, who were ranked 106th last season. Leading runner Marcus Williams Jr. is also missing.
Defense
Like Cumbie’s disgusting background in the sport, the Bulldogs will not make a difference unless they have significantly improved their defensive defense before last season. Tech finished 10th in Passport Defense in Conference USA, ranked FBS 106 or worse in points and yards, allowing it to play nearly 268 yards in the air.
Tech has some key players in all three defensive positions, including defensive tackle Tyler Tyler Grubs, Beginners BJ Wilson and Cedric Woods in second and all conference caliber talents, along with Kevin Rose and Michel Clark on the defensive line. But with no record of more than 3.5 sacks, the Bulldogs did not put enough pressure on opposition offenses last season (98th and 103rd nationally in terms of sacks and losses), according to coordinator Scott Power.
Special groups
Tech is losing out on Panther Cesar Barajas. But the Bulldogs have one of the top US goalscorers in the US last season, with 17 of 21 goals conceded. He has already signed for Tech, so Barnes can pull off a double duty this fall.
Head Coach: Sony Kumbi (first season)
Outcomes of 2021 3-9, 2-6 C-America
Last meeting: He lost 51-0 to Clemson in 2006
Key origins QB Austin Kendall, RB Marcus Williams Jr., W. Jr., LB Trey Baldwin, Dell Ben Bell, DB Bailen Buchanan
Key Returns Rby Greg Garner, WW Smoke Harris, WW Trey Harris, T. Griffin Hebert, LB Tyler Grubs, DB Jay Wilson, CB Cedric Woods, DL Kevin Rose, DL Michael Clark
Key Additions QB Matt Downing, QB Parker McNeil, QB Jack Turner, RB DeAnthony Gaston, WR Devonta Lee, CB Jham Shelby
Photo Credit Dead Joe Rondone / Business Appeal / USA Today Network
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