LOUISIANA TECH BULLDOGS

OCT. 1 AT JOE AILLET STADIUM, RUSTON, LA.
Stadium capacity: 30,600. Surface: FieldTurf

>> Head coach: Sonny Dykes (second year)
>> 2010 record: 5-7 (4-4 WAC)
>> Series: Hawaii, 7-2
>> Last meeting: Hawaii 41, Louisiana Tech 21 (Oct. 2, 2010, Honolulu)
>> Offense: Spread
>> Defense: 4-3

OFFENSE

Returning starters: Six

Primary objective: Refine and expand the offense in the second year following the transition from a heavily run-based attack to the spread.

At the controls: Junior quarterback Colby Cameron takes over after passing for 461 yards and one touchdown last season.

Leading the charge: Running back Lennon Creer returns in the one-back set after running for 1,181 yards while starting six games.

Key to success: Guard Kevin Saia and center Stephen Warner providing stability up front for Cameron and Creer to operate.

DEFENSE

Returning starters: Seven

Primary objective: Return to the level of 2008 and ’09 after a dramatic plunge statistically last season.

At the controls: Tommy Spangler was retained as DC in the coaching transition last year and oversaw LaTech’s defensive improvement his first two years.

Leading the charge: Defensive end Matt Broha proved tough to block with 14 tackles for losses, including nine sacks last season.

Key to success: Building around the returning talents of middle linebacker Adrien Cole, outside linebacker Jay Dudley and safety Chad Boyd.

NOTABLE

>> LaTech set a single-season attendance record in 2010.