It was a priceless opportunity. Ruston natives Jack Hunt and Kyle Williams got a chance to play against their hometown team, Louisiana Tech.
Louisiana Tech quarterback Luke McCown threw to Ruston players all night long. In the first half, he broke the Tech career completion record, passing former Bulldogs great Tim Rattay, now with the San Francisco 49ers.
But when two of McCown’s most errant passes found the waiting arms of the two Ruston boys on the Tigers’ defense, Hunt and Williams found themselves in the spotlight, as both grabbed interceptions in LSU’s 49-10 win. Hunt said after the game it was a great opportunity to have against his hometown team.
“It feels good, especially doing it in front of my home crowd and home crowd team,” said Hunt, who returned his pick 29 yards for a touchdown. “It went really well, just feels good to be able to have that opportunity in this kind of game.”
Williams recorded the first interception in the first quarter. LSU already led the game, 14-0, behind a 34-yard Michael Clayton touchdown catch and seven-yard touchdown run by Justin Vincent. On second-and-seven from the LSU 21-yard line, McCown’s screen pass was jarred loose from the intended receiver and knocked straight up into the air. Williams, in the right place at the right time, snatched the ball from the night sky.
Four plays later, LSU quarteback Matt Mauck hit Skyler Green for an eight-yard touchdown to put the Tigers ahead, 21-0.
Williams described his interception after the game as more lucky than good.
“We’ve been practicing all week on reading their sets and how their offensive line sets,” Williams said. “[The offensive lineman] released quick on me, I read the screen well and when Travis [Daniels] hit him, the ball popped straight up in the air.
“I think it was one of those luck things. I was kind of just sitting there waiting on it. It seemed like it was in the air forever.”
Williams said there is a reason he does not make more interceptions – he cannot catch very well.
“I think I had a little help holding the ball up because I can’t catch,” Williams said. “It had to hang up there for a while for me to get my hands on it. It was a good play and I got a little pumped up after that.”
Hunt did not let Williams’ interception stand alone for too long. On Louisiana Tech’s ensuing drive, Hunt intercepted McCown’s pass on the second play from scrimmage. Hunt spared the Tigers offense from taking the field, darting 29 yards for the score, extending the Tigers lead to 28-0.
It was Hunt’s third interception on the season and second he has returned for a score.
“It was pretty nice, I think for both of us, in front of our home crowd to have that opportunity,” Hunt said.
Williams described the moment as being a special one, for him and Hunt, especially because they are from Ruston.
“This game was special to me,” Williams said. “That’s my hometown, I played against some friends. It was definitely special being able to play your hometown team – you grew up watching them – and come away with a good victory.”