Bulldogs Land 12 on Athlon Sports Preseason All-CUSA Teams - LA Tech Athletics (2024)

Football 6/3/2024 4:35:00 PM Hunter Corneliusen

RUSTON – Headlined by running back Marquis Crosby's first-team selection, the Louisiana Tech football team landed 12 players on the Athlon Sports Preseason All-Conference USA teams, the publication announced Monday.

Crosby sat out 11 games last season due to injury after a breakout season in 2022, where he rushed for 918 yards and nine touchdowns on 183 carries. The Hattiesburg, Miss., product ranked sixth nationally among all freshmen in total rushing (918) and fourth among CUSA backs in yards per rush (5.0). In 2022, he eclipsed the century mark in rushing during four games, highlighted by a 197-yard rushing performance during the Dogs' 52-17 win over Stephen F. Austin on Sept. 10. As a result of this efforts, he earned an honorable mention Freshman All-American Honors from College Football News.

In addition to Crosby's selection, defensive lineman Mykol Clark, offensive lineman Bert Hale, and linebacker Zach Zimos earned second-team distinction.

Hale has been a mainstay on the Bulldogs' offensive line with 18 starts and 37 appearances during his four seasons in Ruston. The Oak Grove, La., product started 11 games last season while helping pave the way for seven 100+ yard rushing games and pass blocking for four 300+ yard games through the air. He was part of an LA Tech offense that ranked second in CUSA with 243 first downs last season.

Clark started all 12 games on the defensive line in 2023. He ranked sixth on the squad with 30 total tackles, including 4.5 for loss, a pass breakup, and an assisted sack. He is one of the most experienced Bulldogs on the roster, with 28 starts and 45 games played in his career.

Zimos made an immediate impact during his first season as a Bulldog in 2023 after transferring from Arkansas. The redshirt senior linebacker registered 60 tackles, including 3.5 for loss and one sack, in addition to a pass breakup. He led the Bulldogs in tackles twice during the 2023 season, tallying 14 in a loss to Middle Tennessee and nine at Nebraska.

Defensive backs Michael Richard and Cedric Woods grabbed third-team honors.

Richard earned Freshman All-America honors after ranking seventh nationally among FBS freshmen with seven pass breakups in 2023. Opponents completed just 40 percent of passes (14-35) against him this season, allowing just one touchdown in 249 defensive snaps. His 83.5 coverage grade was the fourth-best mark among all CUSA defensive backs. The New Orleans native also tallied 32 total tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and two quarterback hurries. On special teams, Richard was one of three CUSA players to return a punt for a touchdown this season when he returned a blocked punt for a touchdown in the season finale against Jacksonville State.

Woods started 10 games at cornerback in 2023 while registering 22 tackles, a forced fumble, and a team-leading two interceptions. He returned an interception 49 yards during a victory over Northwestern State and tallied an interception during the opening drive against WKU. Woods has started 33 games and 86 tackles during his four seasons as a Bulldog.

Rounding out the Bulldogs selections on the fourth-team were J'Dan Burnett (defensive lineman), Tru Edwards (wide receiver), Kolbe Fields (linebacker), Jerren Gilbert (offensive lineman), Demarcus Griffin-Taylor (kick returner) and Abdul-Fatai Ibrahim (wide receiver).

LATech has six home games at Joe Aillet Stadium for the second consecutive year. The Bulldogs will open the season with non-conference foes Nicholls (Aug. 31) and Tulsa (Sept. 21). Tech closes out the home slate in conference play with Middle Tennessee (Oct. 10), UTEP (Oct. 22), a homecoming matchup with Jacksonville State (Nov. 9) and Kennesaw State (Nov. 30).

Season tickets for the 2024 Louisiana Tech football season are on sale now. Fans can purchase season tickets online at LATechSports.com/tickets or by calling the LA Tech Ticket Office at (318) 257-3631.

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