Next Bulldog Up

Early adversity has hit the Louisiana Tech football team, as returning starting running back Marquis Crosby is officially out for the season opener against FIU next Saturday.

Head coach Sonny Cumbie told reporters after fall camp practice Friday that Crosby, the leading returning rusher in Conference USA with 918 yards and 9 touchdowns last season, will not be available for the Week Zero matchup due to an injury with his right leg.

But the unfortunate news didn’t stop there for the Bulldogs’ backfield, as Miami- Ohio transfer Tyre Shelton — projected to slot in behind Crosby on the depth chart — isn’t at 100% either leading into the season opener.

“I would say Crosby is out. Shelton is still questionable,” Cumbie said Friday after practice. “It’s really Charvis Thornton, Keith Willis. Jacob Fields has transitioned over from defense to offense and excited to see what he can do. And so really, it’s those three guys. It’s unfortunate with Tyre and Marquis because they had great springs and summers.

“But we’re going to hold it down as best we can until we get those guys back. And I have a lot of confidence and faith in Charvis and the rest of those guys in that room,” he added.

All the team can do now is lean on the depth in the room, giving Thornton and Willis, a true freshman, opportunity to make sure the team doesn’t skip a beat come next Saturday.

But Cumbie is confident in Thornton and Willis to fill the void for the time being, offering high praise and a nickname to the young tailback.

“Keith runs the ball hard. They call him, ‘The Bulldozer,’ so we need ‘The Bulldozer’ a little bit more than we get at times,” Cumbie said. “But he’s a talented player, and Coach Veal has done phenomenal job mentoring him and holding him accountable.”

Willis, a native of Houston, Texas, prepped at CE King High School and ran for 1,515 yards as a senior for an average of 125 yards per game.

Thornton, on the other hand, is no stranger to the Bulldogs’ plans and was given a fair share of touches last season.

Ranking behind Crosby on the depth chart last season, Thornton appeared in all 12 games and ranked second on the team in carries (80), rushing yards (464) and rushing touchdowns (3).

The redshirt junior of Baton Rouge rushed for a season-high 132 yards and a touchdown on eight carries in the season finale against UAB.

He’s ready to show coaches he’s more than just an injury fill-in in the early goings of the season and feels the offense is better than before.

“We’re well-rounded in all areas,” Thornton said. “You’re going to have to see, but we’re ready. I’m excited. I’m excited and I’m ready to show I can do more than last year.”

Teddy Veal, Tech’s running backs coach, has enjoyed the move from playing at The Joe to now coaching the current Bulldogs.

After spending the 2014-15 seasons at Tulane, Veal transferred to Tech where he earned All-CUSA honors in 2017 and 2018. During his two seasons in Ruston, Veal had 144 catches for 1,666 yards and 8 touchdowns. He likes the running backs on the current roster and said he knows by being a former player, he can get the most of his group before the season kicks off, even with injury setbacks.

“I sat in these guys’ seats not long before they have, so it’s a really good opportunity,” Veal said. “It’s the same practice field so I can relate more than anybody. It’s the same building I was in. I have a different relationship than most people because I’ve played, I’ve been where they’re at. I’ve seen the things that they’ve seen. I know where the buildings are at on campus, I know where the cafeteria is. If they need any type of direction, that what I’m here for to support them and lead them in the right direction.”

Louisiana Tech opens the 2023 season next Saturday against FIU.

Kickoff is at 8 p.m. at Joe Aillet Stadium.