Texas Tech University Athletics
Tech Hits Halfway Mark of 2007 Season
October 06, 2007 | Football
Oct. 6, 2007
By Wes Skipwith, Texas Tech Media Relations
After tonight's win over Iowa State, the Texas Tech football team is half way through its season and looking into the toughest part of its schedule beginning with Texas A&M. So far the Red Raiders (5-1, 1-1) have experienced highs and lows in developing as a complete team.
The Tech offense has been rolling along nicely, averaging 52.5 points and 590.2 yards per game. Tonight against Iowa State, Tech scored 42 points on 489 yards.
Defense has been a different story. Against its non-conference opponents, Tech maintained a respectable 16.25 average points scored against. The debacle came against Oklahoma State September 22, where the defense gave up 610 yards and 49 points in the loss to open conference play. The game led to the stepping down of defensive coordinator Lyle Setencich, who was replaced by Ruffin McNeil. Junior receiver Eric Morris said he has noticed a change in the defense since McNeil has taken over.
"They're playing with that fire and that determination to make play," Morris said. "I think you can tell a difference when they're out there, they are always fired up and kind of feeding off each other, which is great for a football team. I think that's goes a long way, and I think Coach Ruff (McNeil) has done an excellent job of getting them moving everywhere and moving fast and understanding that if we play defense fast, then we're going to cause some havoc back there."
The switch has seemed to work out so far. Tonight, the Red Raiders held ISU to 287 total yards, 74 below its average. The game before against Northwestern State, Tech's defense held the Demons to seven points on just 118 total yards. Harrell said he was really impressed in the way the defense played.
"I thought the defense looked great from start to finish," Harrell said. "I think that's the best job our defense has probably played since I've been here. That's one of the top performances for our defense, and if they keep playing like that, we're going to be a tough team to beat no doubt about it."
The second half of the season starts off against one of Tech's biggest rivals, Texas A&M (5-1, 2-0). The Aggies travel to Lubbock and are looking to avenge a 31-27 loss handed to them by Tech last year in College Station. A Graham Harrell to Robert Johnson touchdown pass put Tech on top with 26 seconds remaining in the ball game.
The match up next Saturday looks to be troublesome for the Red Raiders as A&M is averaging 267.8 rushing yards per game, good for No. 1 in the Big 12, and Tech is giving up an average of 151.7 yards per game on the ground, 10th in the conference. Last season, A&M was able to rack up 250 yards and two touchdowns on the ground against Tech.
Offensively, Tech should be able to air out on A&M. The Air Raid offense is No.1 in the Big 12, averaging 513 yards per game. It will be matched up against an A&M squad that is ninth in the conference in pass defense, allowing 233.2 yards per game.
Tech also has the home field advantage in their favor. Jones AT&T has proven to be a unfriendly environment for the Aggies, considering they have not won there since 1993, which makes for six strait home victories over A&M. Harrell said he realizes how important next week's match up is and he is looking forward to playing in front of the home crowd.
"Big game next week," Harrell said. "A&M will come down here excited to play. I'm sure it will be a great atmosphere. Our fans always come out when A&M's around, so our fans will be excited. It will be a great atmosphere, and it will be a big game. It will be one that we need to prepare well for all week and be ready to play against them. When they come down here, they will be ready to play, so we need to focus in and have a good week of preparation and be ready to play."
This in-state rivalry dates back to 1927. The Aggies led the series 34-30-1 but Tech has won nine of the last 12 meeting including the last two. Head coach Mike Leach said as long as his team plays up to their potential, they should do fine against A&M next Saturday.
"I think they're a good football team (Texas A&M) and a great program," Leach said. "We need to improve this week and just worry about playing the best we can play."
