RUSTON, La. — Louisiana Tech football players said they looked at last night's 46-14 victory over the University of Hawai'i as a payback of sorts — with accrued interest.

It wasn't just that they hadn't beaten the Warriors in three games, several said.

"It was how they acted; how they disrespected us, our field and our fans last time (2003) they were here," said linebacker Jeremy Hamilton.

"They danced on the 'L', did some things to our bulldog (statue) and our fans," Hamilton said. "Nobody comes in here and disrespects us like that. That motivated us to come out and play with all we had."

Earlier in the week, Hamilton told the Shreveport Times, "we haven't forgotten about what they did on our field a couple of years ago."

KXKZ sideline reporter Benny Thornell told his audience prior to the game that Tech coaches told the players to: " 'kick their butts; they're disrespecting your house.' "

Defensive end Moqut Ruffins said: "It's very big (win) because they are the Rainbow Warriors and they have that Warrior mentality and whenever they win, they're going to rub it in your face. So, we want to beat them more."

Ruffins said: "I'm glad we beat them this year — my last year at home. They have that extra cockiness that we don't like too much, so it feels good to finally take them out."

Quarterback Matt Kubick said, "the seniors wanted to make sure we finally ended the (losing) streak. We had to end it right here."

PURCELL COULD BE OUT WITH INJURED LEFT KNEE

The Warriors fear they may have lost defensive lineman Melila Purcell for an extended period with what has initially been listed as a sprained left knee, officials said.

Purcell, a returning all-Western Athletic Conference selection, was injured with one minute, 35 seconds left in the first quarter.

Team doctors said Purcell would undergo a magnetic resonance imaging scan today or tomorrow.

Linebacker Victor Fergerstrom suffered what has been listed as a rib injury, possibly broken ribs, officials said.

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