Tech's Abrams likes playing in UT's big setting

To play in a stadium where there's more people gathering on a Saturday in the fall than there are people living in his hometown of West Monroe, La.

"Neyland Stadium, I hear that's a place where you can really get into the whole game-day atmosphere, where it's just fun being able to have the opportunity to walk out on the field and compete where so many great players have performed in the past," said the sophomore free safety. "I love an atmosphere where your body is vibrating off of the noise of the fans and you really get into the whole scene. I can't wait. I think it will be great."

Louisiana Tech (2-1) plays Tennessee (2-0) for the second time ever in a 7 p.m. kickoff Saturday that will mark homecoming for the Vols.

"We are their homecoming opponent and then Auburn's later, but that's the kind of challenge you look forward to when you sign to play D-1 football," said Abrams. "It's two big challenges within a month's time, but it's something we have gotten used to around here. It's part of the package when you sign with Tech."

That package is loaded with dynamite right now for the Bulldogs.

Last weekend, there was a 48-0 pounding from No. 4 Miami.

Now, the No. 11 Vols.

Next up after Saturday's game, a return to Ruston and Joe Aillet Stadium for an Oct. 2 Western Athletic Conference game against Fresno State. The Bulldogs are ranked No. 17.

Then it's on to No. 9 Auburn.

"It's a tough stretch, for sure," said Abrams. "But we all knew it when the schedule was announced. We knew this stretch of the season was going to be real tough, but it also presents a great opportunity for Louisiana Tech to show the rest of the world what kind of football program we have and the tradition that we have here."

Abrams, who has five tackles as a backup to starter Lee Johnson in the secondary, believes Tech will bounce back after the loss to the Hurricanes.

"Whether you lose by 48 or one, a loss is a loss and it's tough to take," he said. "But I know the program has faced tough times before playing great teams like Tennessee and others and we have come back to have a good year.

"The big thing for us is to remain composed and play our game. After a loss, you don't want to get too low, just like you don't want to get so high after a win. It's about keeping your composure and being steady."

A big challenge that the newly aligned 3-4 Tech defense will face Saturday is dealing with the Vols' freshman quarterback duo of Erik Ainge and Brent Schaeffer.

"It makes it tough for a defense sometimes when you've got two quarterbacks rotating like that," Abrams noted. "You've got to adjust to not just one style of player, but two styles. So that makes it a little more difficult. But we're going to go out and give it our best. Our defense has improved so much from last year and we've made progress. We know we have another huge challenge against Tennessee, which always has a great running attack and outstanding linemen."

Allen All Right: No worry for Donald Allen.

He might have jammed his right shoulder just slightly following a hit by a Miami defender, but the junior is set to start at quarterback for the second straight game.

"He's fine," Tech coach Jack Bicknell said about Allen. "Donald answered some questions about how he can handle adversity against Miami. He showed a lot of competitiveness and toughness. He took some hits, but hung in there and I believe, for the most part, he did well."

Allen (6-2, 187 pounds) took over the starting role in a 24-20 win against Louisiana-Lafayette after junior Matt Kubik earned the nod in the opener versus Nevada.

The latter came in during the third quarter against Miami and hooked up for a 79-yard pass completion to end Johnathan Holland that gave the Bulldogs a chance to get on the scoreboard.

"Both quarterbacks have reacted well to adversity for us," Bicknell said. "But right now, Allen is the guy."

In his two starts, Allen has completed 25-of-46 passes for 299 yards and a touchdown.

Call Dr. Phil: Bicknell and his staff will get a much better idea about the state of his team's confidence with the game against Tennessee.

"Right now, our confidence is a little shaky after the loss to Miami, but our players have also understood who they just played and how good of a program they (Miami) have," he said. "I am just hoping their confidence is good going into the game against Tennessee because this is yet another outstanding team we're going to be playing.

"The big obstacle is not to get down about going through such a tough stretch of games and lose the confidence that we got from winning the first two games. It's not like we can change the schedule at this point. We have to play them, unless there's some rule in there that says we can change it."