Texas Tech University Athletics
Francis Makes Most of NFL Debut
August 15, 2004 | Football
Aug. 15, 2004
LUBBOCK, Texas - Several NFL rookies from Texas Tech's 2003 squad made debuts in their team's respective preseason games, led by former Red Raider receiver Carlos Francis, who scored two touchdowns for the Oakland Raiders on Saturday. Francis caught one pass against the 49ers and converted it into a 36-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter. Later in the game he returned a kickoff 87 yards for another score. Following the league's first week of exhibition games, Francis is tied first in the league with two touchdowns and is tied second with 12 points. He also ranks first with a 42.0-yard-per-return average on two kickoffs. Wes Welker performed well for the San Diego Chargers against Indianapolis, returning two kickoffs for an average of 20.5 yards per return and returning seven punts. He ranks seventh among the leagure's punt returners, averaging 11.4 yards per return. Also seeing action was Toby Cecil (C, Carolina) and Mickey Peters (WR, Tennessee). B.J. Symons, currently on the physically-unable-to-perform list, did not play in Houston's game against Dallas. Other Red Raiders in the NFL: Tech record-setting quarterback Kliff Kingsbury got back on the field after spending last season on the injured list and completed all three of his pass attempts for five yards in New England's game against Philadelphia. Former Tech defensive end Devin Lemons recorded three and a half tackles for Miami against Carolina and also tallied a sack, while running back Sammy Morris rushed six times for 12 yards for the Dolphins. Joselio Hanson of the San Francisco 49ers also logged three and a half tackles against Oakland. Former defensive end and current Indianapolis Colt Montae Reagor and punter Clinton Greathouse of the Baltimore Ravens also turned in stats. Reagor recorded a tackle against San Diego, while Greathouse punted twice for an average of 30 yards, including placing one punt inside the 20 against Atlanta. Linebacker Lawrence Flugence and defensive end Aaron Hunt saw action for New England and Miami, respectively, while offensive lineman Rex Richards entered the game for Indianapolis against San Diego. Marcus Coleman of the Texans was the only former Red Raider to start a preseason game, while Zach Thomas missed Miami's game against Jacksonville due to injury.
