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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, October 9, 2005

It was LaTech's turn to dance the night away

 •  UH a no-show in loss

By Ferd Lewis
Advertiser Staff Writer

RUSTON, La. — Louisiana Tech football players said they looked at last night's 46-14 victory over the University of Hawai'i as a payback of sorts — with accrued interest.

It wasn't just that they hadn't beaten the Warriors in three games, several said.

"It was how they acted; how they disrespected us, our field and our fans last time (2003) they were here," said linebacker Jeremy Hamilton.

"They danced on the 'L', did some things to our bulldog (statue) and our fans," Hamilton said. "Nobody comes in here and disrespects us like that. That motivated us to come out and play with all we had."

Earlier in the week, Hamilton told the Shreveport Times, "we haven't forgotten about what they did on our field a couple of years ago."

KXKZ sideline reporter Benny Thornell told his audience prior to the game that Tech coaches told the players to: " 'kick their butts; they're disrespecting your house.' "

Defensive end Moqut Ruffins said: "It's very big (win) because they are the Rainbow Warriors and they have that Warrior mentality and whenever they win, they're going to rub it in your face. So, we want to beat them more."

Ruffins said: "I'm glad we beat them this year — my last year at home. They have that extra cockiness that we don't like too much, so it feels good to finally take them out."

Quarterback Matt Kubick said, "the seniors wanted to make sure we finally ended the (losing) streak. We had to end it right here."

PURCELL COULD BE OUT WITH INJURED LEFT KNEE

The Warriors fear they may have lost defensive lineman Melila Purcell for an extended period with what has initially been listed as a sprained left knee, officials said.

Purcell, a returning all-Western Athletic Conference selection, was injured with one minute, 35 seconds left in the first quarter.

Team doctors said Purcell would undergo a magnetic resonance imaging scan today or tomorrow.

Linebacker Victor Fergerstrom suffered what has been listed as a rib injury, possibly broken ribs, officials said.

NOTES

  • Head coach June Jones could have become the UH coach to reach 50 victories the fastest if the Warriors had won last night. Now, Jones, who is 49-34, can tie Bob Wagner (84 games) with a victory against New Mexico State. Dick Tomey did it in 85 games.

  • Jake Ingram replaced Tanuvasa Moe as the Warriors' long snapper. Head coach June Jones said Moe had a hand injury that has kept him from being able to practice much this week.

  • After getting two kicks blocked by Boise State last week, the Warriors got one back against Tech. Tony Akpan was credited with the first quarter block of Danny Horwedel's extra-point attempt.

    Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com.

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