Tech Preparing To Face Louisiana-Lafayette on Saturday
September 11, 2000 | Football
Sept. 11, 2000
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The Game
- Texas Tech plays its fourth-consecutive home game of the season against Louisiana-Lafayette Sat., Sept. 16, at Jones SBC Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. (CT).
- The Ragin' Cajuns enter the game with an 0-2 record after dropping a 52-10 decision at Texas on Saturday. ULL finished the 1999 season with a 2-9 record. Head Coach Jerry Baldwin is in his second season at ULL and has a career head coaching mark of 2-9.
- Saturday's game is the finale of four-straight games the Red Raiders play at home to open the season. Eight games on the 12-game slate will be played at home.
The Records
Texas Tech enters the game with a 3-0 mark for the first time since 1998. The Red Raiders knocked off North Texas 13-7 last Saturday at Jones SBC Stadium in Tech's third of four-consecutive home games.
UL Lafayette is 0-2 on the season after dropping a 52-10 decision at Texas last week. The Ragin' Cajuns opened the season with a home loss to Sam Houston State.
The Series
- The Red Raiders lead the series 4-0. The teams first met in 1994 in Lubbock and again in 1996 and 1997 at Jones SBC Stadium. Tech won 38-17 last season in Lafayette, La.
- Texas Tech has averaged 48.0 points per game, while holding ULL to 14.8 points in the four game series.
The Last Time These Two Met...
- Both teams exchanged scores during the first quarter, with Tech getting the upper hand with two touchdowns and leading 14-10 heading into the second. The Red Raiders tacked on 14 more in the second quarter and 10 in the second half, while holding the Cajuns to a single touchdown in the final three quarters.
- Texas Tech recorded 26 first downs, while limiting ULL to eight.
- The Red Raider defense held the Cajuns to 148 total yards and picked off one Derek Dyer pass. Tech amassed 491 yards of total offense, including 264 in the air.
- Tim Baker caught his longest career touchdown pass, a 55-yard score from Rob Peters. Baker caught three balls in the game for 74 yards.
- Running back James Easterling, filling in for an injured Ricky Williams, scored on runs of five and three yards for his first multi-TD game of his career. Easterling finished the game with a career-high 105 yards on 25 carries.
- Rob Peters passed for 245 yards on 11 completions in 21 attempts.
Texas Tech vs. North Texas
- Texas Tech struggled against a pesky North Texas defense, managing a 7-0 halftime lead, Tech's lowest first-half output of the season. Two Chris Birkholz field goals in the third quarter gave the Red Raiders just enough cushion to come away with a 13-7 victory.
- For the third-straight game, the Tech defense held its opponent without a first-half touchdown. The game also was the second in which the defense did not allow a touchdown. The other came against New Mexico.
- North Texas scored its lone touchdown on a 23-yard interception return in the fourth quarter. The score was the second in as many games against Tech for the Eagle defense.
- The Red Raiders out-gained the Eagles 318 to 156 for the game. The defense limited UNT to 49 yards rushing and 107 yards passing.
- Kliff Kingsbury set Tech records in attempts (55) and completions (42) and passed for 238 yards.
- The win was the second for the Red Raiders in three seasons against the Eagles and the second in the series in Lubbock.
- Ricky Williams led all rushers with 13 carries for 38 yards and led all receivers with nine receptions.
- Tim Baker led Tech with 67 receiving yards and Tech's only touchdown.
Tech Only 3-0 Team in Country
With its win over North Texas, Texas Tech became the only team in the country this season to move to 3-0. The Red Raiders opened the season with a 24-3 win over New Mexico and followed with a 38-16 win over Utah State.
Kingsbury Continues Assault on Record Book
Sophomore quarterback Kliff Kingsbury broke two more passing records in Tech's 13-7 win over North Texas. He set marks in completions (42) and attempts (55), breaking the old records of 34 completions, set by Robert Hall against Georgia in 1993, and 52 attempts, set by Zebbie Lethridge against North Texas in 1997 and Jason Clemmons against Texas in 1992. Against Utah State, Kingsbury passed for 456 yards, breaking the old record of 446 yards, set by Billy Joe Tolliver against Oklahoma State in 1988.
Total Offense Leader
Kingsbury also leads the team with 286.7 yards of total offense on the season. He has 880 passing yards and is -20 in the rushing column. Kingsbury is the team leader with 860 yards of total offense.
Leach Second to Win First Three
Mike Leach became only the second head coach in Texas Tech football history to win his first three games as head coach. Dell Morgan won his first five games during his first season in 1941.
Defending the Score
The Texas Tech defense has allowed only two touchdowns on the season, both to Utah State. The Red Raiders have not allowed a rushing TD and have held the opposition without a touchdown in the first half all season.
Game Saver
Junior strong safety Kevin Curtis made the play of the game against North Texas. With under two minutes to play in the fourth quarter, the Red Raiders led 13-7 over the Eagles. UNT's LaDarrin McLane appeared to be headed for a game-tying touchdown until Curtis tracked him down and punched the ball loose at the Tech 12. The ball rolled to the Tech 2 and was recovered by defensive back Derrick Briggs.
Flugence Takes Over Tackle Lead
Sophomore linebacker Lawrence Flugence leads the team with 29 tackles on the season, 20 unassisted. He had 10 tackles against North Texas. Senior linebackers Dorian Pitts and John Norman each have 20 on the season, as does junior strong safety Kevin Curtis.
Leader, Not a Follower
The Red Raiders have not trailed on the scoreboard this season. Tech jumped out to a 7-0 lead against New Mexico and a 14-0 advantage against Utah State and never looked back. In Saturday's game against North Texas, the Red Raiders led 13-0 in the fourth quarter, before escaping with a 13-7 victory.
Count It From a Distance
Senior placekicker Chris Birkholz has made 3-of-4 from 40 yards out, including a 50-yard field goal against North Texas. He is 1-of-2 on the season under 40 yards.
Tim Baker the Touchdown Maker
Senior wide receiver Tim Baker caught his fourth-career touchdown reception against North Texas Saturday. It was his first of the season. Baker also has 15 catches on the season for 142 yards and a 9.5 yards average.
About Face
Texas Tech scored 17 times on the ground and 13 times in the air last season. The Red Raiders have found the endzone via the air six times and once on the ground this season.
Leaderboard
The Red Raiders have out-scored the opposition 75-26 in three games this season. Tech is averaging 25.0 points per game and is holding opponents to 8.7 points.
Air Attack
The Red Raiders are averaging 311.7 yards per game through the air this season. Tech tagged Utah State for a school and Big 12 record 511 yards above ground and have 935 yards on the season. Six of Tech's seven touchdowns are courtesy of the passing game.
Increased Yardage
Texas Tech is averaging 385.0 yards of total offense this season, 60.2 yards better than last year's 324.8 yards per game.
Offsides
The Red Raiders have been penalized 31 times for 279 yards this season, while the opposition has committed 14 penalties for 114 yards. Tech is averaging 93.0 penalty yards per game.
Go For It
Texas Tech is 6-of-11 when going for it on fourth down this season for a 55 percent success rate. The Red Raiders attempted a fourth down conversion 10 times all of last season and was successful on three tries.
Williams Leads Again
During Ricky Williams' three seasons at Tech, the senior running back has led the Red Raiders in rushing each year, including this season. Williams is the only Red Raider with more than 10 carries. He leads the team with 45 carries for 175 yards.
Other Williams Leads Through the Air
Sophomore tailback Shaud Williams leads the team with 19 receptions. He has 160 yards receiving, averaging 8.4 yards per catch.
Touchbacks
Freshman kicker Wich Brenner has blasted seven of 15 kickoffs deep into the endzone for touchbacks this season.
Freshman Receiver Makes Mark
Redshirt freshman Carlos Francis set records in freshman receiving yards and yards per catch against Utah State. He caught seven passes for 234 yards, an average of 33.4 yards per catch. He shattered the old mark of 20.7, set by Leonard Harris against Houston in 1983.
Def(off)ense
The Tech defense has not only stopped the opposition this season, but has assisted the offense on the scoreboard as well. In the first two games, the defense accounted for a touchdown in each game. Dorian Pitts returned a fumble six yards for a score against Utah State, while Aaron Hunt returned a fumble 63 yards in the season opener against New Mexico. The defense did not score against North Texas, but recovered a fumble which eventually led to a Chris Birkholz field goal in the third quarter.
Birkholz Streak Continues
Placekicker Chris Birkholz has made all 62 of his extra point attempts during his career at Texas Tech. He is the only Tech kicker with a perfect mark from the extra point stripe.
Tech Shatters Passing Record
The Red Raiders set the school passing yardage record with 511 yards against Utah State. The old mark of 449 yards was set in 1985 against TCU. The mark also sets the Big 12 record, breaking the old record of 474 yards by Colorado against San Jose State last season.
Clock Control
The Red Raiders are averaging 3:48 more minutes per game over the opposition on the season.
Bowl Eligible Streak
Texas Tech has been bowl eligible for each of the last seven seasons. During that span, the Red Raiders have played in the John Hancock Bowl (1993), Cotton Bowl (1994), Copper Bowl (1995), Alamo Bowl (1996) and Independence Bowl (1998).
Happy at Home
The Red Raiders are currently on a seven-game home winning streak dating back to last season. The streak began with a 21-19 win over Texas A&M Oct. 2, 1999. Tech is 12-2 in its last 14 at home. The Red Raiders are 268-138-13 all-time at home.
Red Raiders in the NFL
Eight former Red Raiders are currently active on NFL Rosters:
- Shawn Banks, LB (Chicago)
- Marcus Coleman, DB (New York Jets)
- Tony Darden, CB (San Diego)
- Anthony Lynn, RB (Denver)
- Anthony Malbrough, DB (Cleveland)
- Sammy Morris, RB (Buffalo)
- Montae Reagor, DE (Denver)
- Zach Thomas, LB (Miami)
Players of the Week
Trevor McKenzie and Preston Hartfield were named PNB Financial Scout Team Players of the Week last week for their hard work and dedication in helping the Red Raiders prepare for North Texas. Chris Birkholz earned PNB Financial Special Teams Player of the Week honors after kicking two field goals and an extra point against UNT. AXA Advisor Offensive and Defensive honors went to Tim Baker and Kevin Curtis, respectively. Baker caught Tech's lone touchdown pass, while Curtis caused a game-saving fumble late in the fourth quarter.