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September 24, 2011 | Football
The Red Raiders return home Saturday to face Nevada. Kickoff is set for 6:00 p.m.
Gameday Central | Texas Tech Notes | Nevada Notes
September 23 2011
by Britton Drown
Texas Tech Athletics Communications
Despite all of the conditions, the weather, the challenge faced with the first road game of the season and the extended layover from their season opener, head coach Tommy Tuberville was proud of what he saw from his team last week.
The young squad was up to the task.
In fact, it was the first topic he discussed two days later at the weekly press conference, making it clear he felt this team is taking strides in the right direction.
"I'm proud of all of these guys," Tuberville said moments into his opening statement. "I'm proud of the entire team, how we prepared through the open date."
Now, the Red Raiders (2-0) are back home and face a nationally-televised 6:00 p.m. meeting with Nevada (1-1) inside Jones AT&T Stadium on Saturday. Texas Tech enters the game on a five-game winning streak dating back to last season.
Texas Tech is coming off one of the longest games in school history. Two weather delays totaling 95 minutes in all were scattered throughout the first and second half of play against New Mexico last week. But the delays couldn't put a hold on a nearly unstoppable Red Raider offense, led by AT&T National Player of the Week Seth Doege.
Doege went a remarkable 40-44 passing for 401 yards and five touchdowns in the 59-13 win over New Mexico on Sept 17. The 90.9 completion percentage mark broke an NCAA record set by former Texas Tech quarterback Kliff Kingsbury in 2002.
"All of the credit goes to my offensive line," Doege, who was also named Co-Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week, said. "There's no question, because I didn't feel pressured all day but one time."
Heading into Saturday's meeting with the Wolf Pack, Doege ranks third nationally in both passing yards per game (363.5) and passing efficiency (195.41).
Meanwhile, junior receiver Darrin Moore, one of Doege's favorite targets after two games, leads the nation with 169.5 receiving yards per game. On Friday, Moore was named Biletnikoff Award Watch List, joining teammate Alex Torres who was named to the prestigious list during the preseason.
Moore caught three touchdown passes in the first half against New Mexico. He has a total of 21 receptions for 339 yards this season.
"It was really fun," junior receiver Darrin Moore said. "The offense got off to a fast start, which is something we didn't do against Texas State."
Now, Doege and the Red Raiders are looking to keep their high-powered offense on a roll as they face a Nevada team that is playing their third consecutive road game of the season. Texas Tech defeated the Wolf Pack 35-19 in Reno in 2008.
Nevada enters Saturday's game on the heels of a 17-14 win at San Jose State, the second game of a four-game road trip to open the season.
Saturday, the Red Raider defense, which has given up just 23 points in two games, will look to stop Nevada's signature pistol-set offense. Quarterback Tyler Lantrip and running back Mike Ball, who combine for an average of 329.5 total yards per game, lead the Wolf Pack offense.
"They are really good at executing it [pistol offense]," sophomore safety Terrance Bullitt said. "We just have to come in as a defense and help together and stop it. I feel like we can do that."
Bullitt and the Red Raiders will look to move Texas Tech to a perfect 3-0 this weekend before heading into Big 12 Conference play next week.
