Texas Tech University Athletics
Texas Tech Football Notebook - July 29, 2004
July 29, 2004 | Football
July 29, 2004
Season Ticket Explosion - During the tenure of the season ticket program at Texas Tech, the athletics department has always reported the number of season tickets sold as those purchased by the general public. Based on that basic formula, Texas Tech has set the record for season ticket sales for the second-straight year with 22,700 sold to date, a 10 percent increase from last season. However, most athletics programs across the country include student seating in their totals (these are the 11,622 guaranteed to students through the athletics fees they pay each year; essentially, these are season tickets). With that formula in place, 34,322 season tickets have been sold for the 2004 season! That's nearly 63 percent of the stadium's capacity!
Women's Clinic Approaching - There are a limited number of spots remaining for the 2004 Texas Tech Women's Football Clinic, slated for Thu., Aug. 5, at 5:30 p.m. CT at Jones SBC Stadium. Entry fee for the event is $25 before August 1 and $30 thereafter. Groups of four or more may sign up for $20 per person. For more information, please contact the Texas Tech Football Office at (806) 742-4260. Applications for the Women's Football Clinic are available at www.texastech.com and www.mikeleach.net. The first three clinics sold out prior to August 1.
More TV Time - Fox Sports Net announced last week that the Red Raiders game at Kansas on Sept. 25 will be aired nationally by the network with a 2:30 p.m. kickoff. The game is the second game selected for broadcast during the preseason - Fox also will carry Tech's home opener against TCU on Sept. 18 at 11:30 a.m.
Log-On for Full Access to Texas Tech Football - If you consider yourself the ultimate Red Raider fan, then you need to be part of the ultimate Texas Tech experience - the College Sports Pass. TexasTech.com has long been the Internet home of Red Raider sports but beginning last season the athletics department unveiled the College Sports Pass, allowing greater access for Tech faithful. This coming football season the College Sports Pass will offer live streaming of post-game and Monday football press conferences, live streaming of the Goin' Band From Raiderland's halftime performances, live audio from the Texas Tech Football Radio Network, in-depth interviews with players and coaches, game highlights and much more. Subscriptions for the College Sports Pass are an incredible value at just $6.95 per month, while quarterly and year-long subscriptions are also available. For more information, log on to www.texastech.com and click on "College Sports Pass," which is located on the left side navigation bar. Note: The College Sports Pass can only be accessed with RealPlayer.
POSITION OUTLOOK Red Raider Backfield - Aside from the offensive line, the Red Raider backfield is the most experienced position on offense. Unlike traditional offensive schemes, the running backs in Texas Tech's offense have to possess good hands and the ability to run passing routes out of the backfield. One of the team's brightest stars in running back Taurean Henderson returns, while the Red Raider coaching staff is faced with the daunting task of replacing record-setting back Wes Welker.
Twenty-five percent of the team's offensive yardage from a year ago returns in the form of Henderson and senior running back Johnnie Mack. The duo combined for 1,887 rushing and receiving yards a year ago at the F back position.
Henderson, the Big 12 Conference's top receiving back in 2003, caught 78 passes last season for 611 yards and rushed for another 736 yards. His 10 rushing touchdowns was the most in one season by a Tech running back since Ricky Williams's 14 TDs in 2001, while his 29 career touchdowns is tied eighth on the school's career touchdowns list.
Mack finished the 2003 season with 307 rushing yards and 233 yards through the air. The diminutive back, often kicked away from because of his explosive speed and elusiveness, is the team's top kick returner and ranked 27th nationally and third in the Big 12 last season with 24.8 yards per return.
Redshirt freshman Taurance Rawls will back up the pair this season. Rawls, whose style is similar to Henderson, has not only shown he can run the ball, but also has great hands out of the backfield.
Wide receiver Nehemiah Glover will make the transition this year to H back, a position held by Welker the last four seasons. The position is a natural fit for Glover, whose size and speed make him a threat to opposing defenses. Glover caught 77 passes last season and was one of three Tech receivers who racked up 1,000 receiving yards. His 1,081 yards was third to Carlos Francis's 1,177 and Welker's 1,099. Glover also enters the 2004 season with 20 career receiving touchdowns, two shy of the record of 22, set by Mickey Peters (2000-03).
Senior walk-on Brian Bishop will back up Glover at the position this season. Bishop was the team's top offensive scout team player a year ago and brings a tremendous amount of athletic ability to the position.
Senior Clay McGuire maintains his stronghold on the BH position, which alternates with the H back position in the starting lineup. McGuire, primarily used as a blocking back, grabbed eight receptions last season. Sophomore walk-on Osazee Eguae and junior walk-on Tywon Mackey will back up McGuire at the position. True freshman athlete Marcus Bunton also will work at one of the positions.
