Texas Tech University Athletics
Tech Ranked #21 in Athlon Preseason Poll
May 06, 2005 | Football
May 6, 2005
LUBBOCK, Texas - Athlon Sports released its preseason top 25 rankings Friday and listed Texas Tech No. 21 in its poll, reflecting the Red Raiders' success in 2004 and number of returning starters for the 2005 season. Athlon Sports will hit newsstands June 7.
Texas Tech finished the 2004 season on a high note, winning four of its last five games, including a 45-31 win over then-fourth ranked California in the Pacific Life Holiday Bowl. The only loss down the stretch was an overtime setback at Texas A&M. The Red Raiders return eight offensive starters and eight defensive starters, including players responsible for 75 percent of the team's scoring. Tech averaged 36.2 points per game in 2004.
Additionally, several Red Raiders received recognition from the publication, including running back Taurean Henderson, who named third-team All-America and first-team All-Big 12. Henderson led the Red Raiders on the ground last season with 16 touchdowns in 162 rush attempts. He totaled 840 yards and 5.2 yards per carry. Henderson also proved to be a threat in the air, catching 60 passes out of the backfield and scoring twice.
Henderson ranks second in NCAA history among running backs with 236 career receptions and currently trails former Long Beach State running back Mark Templeton by 26 catches. He also trails all-time Tech receptions leader Wes Welker by 23 and needs 30 points to become the school's all-time leading scorer.
Athlon Sports also selected wide receiver Jarrett Hicks and punt returner Danny Amendola to its All-Big 12 first team, while naming defensive end Keyunta Dawson to his second team. Hicks, one of the nation's leading returning receivers, set the school record for single-season touchdowns last year with 13 and finished the season with the sophomore receiving yardage record with 1,177 yards. During his true freshman season a year ago, Amendola picked up where Welker left off, returning 29 punts for a conference-leading average 12.9 yards per return and a touchdown. Dawson led the team in sacks (6.5) and tackles for loss (9.0) as a reserve on the defensive line last season. He will assume the starting role at end, vacated by the graduation of all-conference end Adell Duckett.
Others named include offensive guard Manuel Ramirez, linebacker Brock Stratton and cornerback Khalid Naziruddin to the publication's preseason all-conference third team.
The Red Raiders get the season underway Sept. 10 against Florida International at Jones SBC Stadium.
