Football Practice Report
August 31, 1999 | Football
Aug. 31, 1999
LUBBOCK, Texas - Game week officially got underway at Texas Tech Tuesday as the Red Raiders worked for 90-minutes in shoulder pads and headgear in preparation for Monday?s season-opener at Arizona State.
Head coach Spike Dykes said the Red Raiders worked well and had a little more bounce in their step following an off day Monday as classes started at Texas Tech. The dean of Big 12 coaches, beginning his 13th season at Texas Tech, said it was good to get back into the game week routine.
?We had good spirit today, a good practice,? Dykes said. ?We have the first day of class jitters behind us now and have gotten into a new routine that will take us through the rest of the season.?
Tuesday?s practice was devoted almost solely to preparation and recognition against Arizona State schemes. The Red Raiders also worked extensively on special teams before closing the workout with red zone and two-minute drills.
?I thought we were quicker and lighter legged after the off day,? Dykes said. ?That was good to see because we are going to need to be running on all cylinders when we head over to Arizona State.
?This is a good opportunity against a good football team. There won?t be any waiting around this year to see how we stand,? Dykes said. ?We are going to find out real quick what kind of football team we have.?
Kickoff for the first-ever meeting between the Red Raiders and the Sun Devils is set for 7 p.m. CDT at Sun Devil Stadium. The game will be nationally televised by Fox Sports Net as part of a Labor Day college football double-header. Tulane and Southern Miss will tangle that afternoon.