The Sports Xchange
NCAAF Team Report – Texas Tech – INSIDE SLANT
It’s a small sampling size, just two games against overmatched opponents, but at least statistics show the Texas Tech has made strides from last year.
After finishing near the bottom in most categories in defensive listings for FBS teams in 2011, the Red Raiders are among the top 20 in rushing defense (18th), 71 pass defense (fifth) and, as a result, total defense (fourth).
They have yielded 177 yards a game, 71 on the ground and 106 in the air.
“It’s not a surprise to us,” senior safety Cody Davis said. “As far as a goal, we’re always looking to be the best in the nation.
“It’s a surprise to us to be at the bottom. That was one of the worst feelings you can get as a player.
“So we have it up there towards the top this year, and we’re looking to keep it that way.”
The numbers should remain pretty good with the next opponent being New Mexico. The Lobos rank 96th out of 120 FBS teams in total offense in producing just 329 yards a game.
But following an open date, the Red Raiders then dive into Big 12 play, and that should provide a more true test for the defensive unit.
“We’re getting a little better,” coach Tommy Tuberville said. “The big thing about it when you start playing during the season what separates good teams from very good teams is technique and fundamentals.
“And we’ve got some speed now, we’ve got some depth. We’ve got some guys that can run and make plays.
“The thing we’ve got to do is continue to get playing better technique. The ones who forget about technique and try to get through a season without it are usually the ones that don’t fare a well.”
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NCAAF Team Report – Texas Tech – NOTES, QUOTES
–Senior RB Eric Stephens and senior WR Alex Torres are approaching Texas Tech career milestones. After playing less than half of the 2011 season before going out with a knee injury, Stephens has rushed for 120 yards in Tech’s first two games and is within 30 yards of hitting the 4,000 mark for his career. Torres needs just 60 yards receiving to hit the 2,000-yard mark in that category.
–Texas Tech’s game with New Mexico has been designated “Celebrate Cotton” day in recognition of the cotton industry in the Texas High Plains area. According to statistics provided by the National Cotton Council, cotton growers in the area produce, on average, 4.25 million bales of cotton a year, about two-thirds of that produced in the state and one-third of the nation’s cotton crop.
–Texas Tech is 50-13 at home over the last decade.
SERIES HISTORY: Texas Tech leads New Mexico 36-6-2 (last meeting, 2011, Texas Tech 59-13)
SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: Senior QB Seth Doege pulls the trigger of the offense and has multiple targets. In two games, 16 players have at least one catch for the Raiders. As much as they love to pass, though, the Raiders want to establish their running game behind veteran Eric Stephens (22 rushes, 120 yards), sophomore Kenny Williams (20-136), and junior SaDale Foster (21-100).
SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: So far, so good for Tech’s defense. After having one of the more porous units in the country last year, the Raiders have turned things around in the early going. Though the opposition will be severely more challenging when conference play begins, at least they are showing some hope in holding opposing rushers to just 71 yards a game and passers to just 106.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “We’re not a bad team. We’re getting better each week. The thing we’ve got to do is just keep trying to get better. It was good to see our guys react to a lot of people trying to be negative about this team and showing that they’re a pretty good team.” — Coach Tommy Tuberville, after the rout of Texas State, responding to some of the criticism that has been directed toward his Red Raiders.
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NCAAF Team Report – Texas Tech – STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
THIS WEEK’S GAME: New Mexico at Texas Tech, Sept. 15 — The Red Raiders close out their non-conference schedule by hosting the 1-1 Lobos in Lubbock. The Raiders have dominated the Lobos, but have only a three-game winning streak in the series. The Raiders have an open date coming up after this one before opening Big 12 play at Iowa State on Sept. 29.
KEYS TO THE GAME: Shut down New Mexico’s running game. The Lobos ran for 206 yards in a 45-0 loss at Texas in their last appearance, though no rusher ran for more than 51 yards. The Raiders need a big game out of their own backs.
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
S Cody Davis — Davis made a big play to get the rout of Texas State underway when he returned an interception 88 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter. He has 13 tackles in the first two games after finishing last year with 93.
QB Seth Doege — In his second year as a full-time starter, Doege is in the top 10 in Tech’s record book in five career categories (touchdowns, yards, attempts, total offense, all-purpose attempts and career touchdowns responsible for).
WR Bradley Marquez — Marquez has 10 receptions in the two games for 111 yards. He also returns kickoffs for the Raiders.
ROSTER REPORT:
–Junior WR Eric Ward is back from a concussion and will play against New Mexico.
–Senior CB Cornelius Douglas will miss the game against New Mexico after pulling a muscle in his ribcage in the win at Texas State.
–WR Marcus Kennard sat out the second half at Texas State because of a groin injury and is considered day to day.
–Senior S Cody Davis made his 38th career start in the Raiders’ game at Texas State.
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