Football Practice Report
August 28, 1999 | Football
Aug. 28, 1999
LUBBOCK, Texas - With the season-opener at Arizona State just over a week away, the Texas Tech football team used a 90-minute practice in shoulder pads and helmets Saturday morning to rehearse various game situations.
In the first work at Jones Stadium since the new artificial turf was installed, the Red Raiders worked through all phases of the kicking game to begin the practice and closed with work on having to win the game on the final play. In between, there was work on two-minute offense and defense, as well as red zone offense and defense.
?We had a good morning, a good rehearsal,? head coach Spike Dykes said. ?It was good to get some work in the stadium. The new turf is really nice. I think our fans will be impressed when they see it.?
Highlights of the practice included interceptions by Kevin Curtis and Oscar Solis in scripted drives against the second offense, as well as Chris Birkholz connecting on a 49-yard field goal to cap a drive in the two-minute drill.
The Red Raiders went to work earlier than planned Saturday due to work being done to improve the track area which surrounds the playing surface at the stadium. Dykes and his staff moved the practice to 7:30 a.m. to help accommodate the work crew. The practice was originally set for 9:45 a.m.
After greeting fans at Meet the Raiders Day Saturday evening, Texas Tech will practice Sunday afternoon in shells before taking Monday off for the first day of classes. Normal game-week preparations begin Tuesday.
The first meeting ever between Texas Tech and Arizona State is Sept. 6 at 7 p.m. CDT. The game will be televised nationally by Fox Sports Net.