Texas Tech University Athletics
Postgame Notes
September 05, 2009 | Football
Sept. 5, 2009
Recap | Final Stats | Quotes
2009 Texas Tech Football
Red Raiders vs. North Dakota
September 5, 2009
Texas Tech Postgame Notes
GETTING STARTED
- Tonight's game against North Dakota marked the first meeting between the two schools on the gridiron. North Dakota is the 127th different opponent for the Red Raiders. Texas Tech has faced 16 different teams for the first time with Mike Leach as its head coach and Tech is now 14-2 in those games.
- Tonight's attendance was 47,824 (snapping a school record six consecutive sellouts dating back to last season).
- Texas Tech wore black jerseys on top of white pants in the season opener for the third-straight season.
- Texas Tech won the opening coin toss and elected to receive the opening kickoff. North Dakota defended the north end zone.
- The following Red Raiders made their first career starts: QB, Taylor Potts, LT Chris Olson, Z receiver Alex Torres, H receiver Adam James, RE Brandon Sharpe, SS Franklin Mitchem, FS Cody Davis and RC LaRon Moore.
Starters - (Offense) - (LT) Chris Olson, (LG) Brandon Carter, (C) Shawn Byrnes, (RT) Marlon Winn, (RG) Brandon Carter, (QB) Taylor Potts, (F) Baron Batch (Y) Detron Lewis (Z) Alex Torres, (H) Adam James (X) Edward Britton (Defense) - (LE) Ra'Jon Henley, (NT) Colby Whitlock, (DT) Richard Jones, (RE) Brandon Sharpe, (SAM) Bront Bird, (MIKE) Brian Duncan, (WILL) Marlon Williams, (LC) Jamar Wall, (SS) Franklin Mitchem, (FS) Cody Davis, (RC) LaRon Moore.
TECH'S WIN. . .
- Gives Mike Leach a career record of 76-39. He is now just six wins away from becoming the school's all-time wins leader. Spike Dykes currently holds the record with 82.
- Gives Texas Tech a 56-26-3 all-time record in season openers. The Red Raiders have now won seven-straight season openers dating back to the 2003 season. Texas Tech also improved to 64-18-3 when opening the season at home.
- Gives Texas Tech a 1-0 record against North Dakota.
- Gives Texas Tech a 20-1 non-conference record at home under Mike Leach.
Taylor Potts TAKES THE REINS
Texas Tech unveiled junior Taylor Potts as its starting quarterback for the 2009 season tonight against North Dakota. Potts replaces three-year starter Graham Harrell who ended his career earlier this year in the Cotton Bowl and became the NCAA's all-time leader in touchdown passes. The start for Potts tonight was his first since leading Abilene High School in an area round playoff game against Southlake Carroll in 2005. Exactly 1,379 days ago!
- Potts' first drive was a success as he led the Red Raiders to a touchdown on the opening possession of the game. The drive covered 64 yards on seven plays and lasted 3:18. Baron Batch capped off the drive with a three-yard rush for the first touchdown of the season for the Red Raiders.
- Potts was responsible for Tech's second touchdown of the game as he dove into the end zone on a one-yard quarterback keeper to give the Red Raiders a 13-0 lead with 6:06 remaining in the first quarter.
- Rushed for his second touchdown with 3:12 remaining in the third quarter to give Tech a 27-6 lead.
Quarterback Debut's Under Mike Leach
Kliff Kingsbury (2000): 21-47-1; 186 yards; 2 TD's
BJ Symons (2003); 23-38-1; 297 yards; 3 TD's
Sonny Cumbie (2004); 40-66; 470 yards; 4 TD's
Cody Hodges (2005); 29-37; 454 yards; 4 TD's
Graham Harrell (2006); 34-49; 342 yards; 5 TD's
Taylor Potts (2009); 34-48-3; 405 yards; 2 TD's
FIRST BIG PLAY GOES TO Detron Lewis
Mike Leach's high octane offense is known for its big play capability and the first big play of the 2009 season went to junior receiver Detron Lewis. Potts connected with Lewis for a 49-yard touchdown reception with 8:41 remaining in the second quarter to give the Red Raiders a 20-3 lead. The 49-yard pass was the second longest of Potts' career as he tossed a 50-yard pass against Northwest Louisiana back in 2007.
LEWIS SHINES IN ANOTHER SEASON OPENER
For the second-straight season, Detron Lewis was the go-to receiver for the Red Raiders in the season opener. Lewis hauled in a game-high 146 yards (one touchdown) for what was just the second 100-plus yard receiving game of his career. Lewis shined last season for the Red Raiders in the season opener against Eastern Washington as he hauled in a career-high 163 yards on nine catches.
NOTING THE RED RAIDERS
- Texas Tech scored its first touchdown of the season on a three-yard rush by Baron Batch and that TD rush marked the third-straight year that Tech's first touchdown was scored on the ground.
- Freshman running back Eric Stephens became the first true freshman to earn playing time this season as he took part in Tech's opening touchdown drive. Stephens is a product of Mansfield Timberview High School. Will Ford, a freshman from Abilene Cooper, saw action in the Tech defensive backfield on the second drive by North Dakota.
- Texas Tech's first punt of the 2009 season came on its first offensive possession of the second half (11:34 in the third quarter) but ultimately led to the Red Raiders getting the ball back as North Dakota's Ryan Dressler fumbled the return and the ball was recovered by Nathan Stone. Sophomore Donnie Carona made his first career punt attempt and the kick went 40-yards
- Texas Tech's 38 points is the lowest amount it has scored in an opener since 2006. Tech scored 35 points against SMU in 2006.
