2010 Texas Tech Red Raiders football team
Encyclopedia
The 2010 Texas Tech Red Raiders football team represented Texas Tech University
in the 2010 NCAA Division I FBS football season
. The team was coached by first-year head coach Tommy Tuberville
and played its home games at Jones AT&T Stadium
. They were members of the South Division of the Big 12 Conference
. They finished the season 8–5, 3–5 in Big 12 play and were invited to the inagrual TicketCity Bowl where they defeated Northwestern
45–38.
sophomore
wide receiver, and the son of former SMU Mustangs
and New England Patriots
running back Craig James. The suspension came after allegations that Leach treated Adam James unfairly following a mild concussion. Leach was terminated by the university on December 30, 2009. Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator Ruffin McNeill
was named interim head coach and led the team during their appearance in the 2010 Alamo Bowl
.
On January 9, 2010, Tommy Tuberville
was named head coach, replacing interim head coach Ruffin McNeill
. Tuberville was introduced at a press conference on Sunday, January 10, 2010. Inside receivers coach Lincoln Riley, running backs coach Clay McGuire, cornerbacks coach Brian Mitchell and special teams coordinator Eric Russell were released from the coaching staff. Safeties coach Carlos Mainord retired after six seasons with the program. Offensive graduate assistant Sonny Cumbie
and offensive line coach Matt Moore were the only coaches to remain with on staff after Tuberville was hired. Moore remained in the same position while Cumbie replaced Lincoln Riley as inside receivers coach. Neal Brown
was hired as offensive coordinator after four seasons with the Troy Trojans
, after two seasons in the same position. James Willis, former assistant to Tuberville at Auburn
, was hired as defensive coordinator. Willis previously served as associate head coach and outside linebackers coach with the Alabama Crimson Tide
for the 2009 season.
This game marked the 48th meeting of the Texas Tech Red Raiders and the SMU Mustangs. This was their first match-up since September 13, 2008, when Texas Tech defeated SMU with a final score of 43–7 at Jones AT&T Stadium. Going into the game, the Red Raiders led the all-time series against the Mustangs with a record of 31–16.
The SMU Mustangs won the coin toss and elected to receive the opening kick off. Donnie Carona kicked the opening kick off, a 70 yard touchback, for the Red Raiders. The Mustangs opening drive proved to be unfruitful and ended in a punt. The Red Raiders opening drive was equally as unproductive ending with a field goal by Matt Williams
being blocked. Texas Tech's first score of the game came in their third drive after the Red Raiders recovered a fumbled punt. Following four rushing plays, Taylor Potts
completed a touchdown pass to Lyle Leong for 2 yards. Matt Williams successfully converted the PAT, bringing the score to 7–0. Neither team would score any more points in the first quarter.
The Red Raiders would be the first to score in the second quarter with a 6 yard Taylor Potts pass to Detron Lewis
for a touchdown. Matt Williams kicked the extra point and brought the score to 14–0. The Mustangs would be the next to score, five drives later, by way of a 2 yard rush by Zach Line for a touchdown, their first first of the game. Matt Szymanski followed up with a successful extra point kick for a score of 14–7. The Red Raiders answered the Mustangs score with a touchdown of their own on the next drive when Taylor Potts once again found Detron Lewis in the end zone for a 16 yard touchdown pass. Matt Williams extra point attempt was good ending the last drive of the half. Texas Tech led at the half with a score of 21–7.
Following halftime, the Red Raiders received the opening kick-off of the second half. Their opening drive of the half consisted of six plays, and ended with a 4 yard touchdown pass by Taylor Potts to Lyle Leong. Matt Williams' extra point attempt was good bring the score to 28–7. The Mustangs would be the next to score on the very next drive with a 17 yard pass by Kyle Padron to Cole Beasley and an PAT by Matt Szymanski for a score of 28–14. After a D.J. Johnson interception on the Mustangs next drive, the Red Raiders would march down the field on their third drive of the half for another touchdown. This touchdown was courtesy of a 3 yard rush by Eric Stephens, with an extra point by Matt Williams for a score of 35–14. The final scoring drive of the third quarter would end with a 24 yard Mustangs field goal by Matt Szymanski. The final score at the end of the third quarter was 35–17.
The Mustangs would be the only team to score in the fourth quarter. Their first score came on their first drive with a SMU school record 61 yard field goal by Matt Szymanski. Their next score, and the last of the game, would come two drives later with a 13 yard touchdown pass by Kyle Padron to Cole Beasley and an extra point by Matt Szymanski. The final score at the end of the game was 35–27.
The Red Raiders rushed for a total of 72 yards and passed for 359 yards in 34 completed passes. The Red Raiders only had 1 turnover by way of a fumble during a failed 4th down quarterback dive in the 4th quarter. The Mustangs rushed for a total of 109 yards and passed for 218 yards in 21 completed passes. In contrast to the Red Raiders, the Mustangs had 4 turnovers, 3 of which were interceptions.
. This game was the 42nd meeting of the two teams, with Texas Tech leading the series with an all-time record of 33–6–2 going in. Texas Tech defeated New Mexico in the 2009 season with a final score of 48–28.
Texas Tech won the coin toss and elected to receive the kick off. The Red Raiders first drive ended in 4 plays with a 55 yard touchdown pass by Taylor Potts
to Austin Zouzalik. Matt Williams
kicked the extra point kick to bring the score to 7–0 with 14:15 left in the first quarter. New Mexico's first drive lasted 9 plays and ended in blocked punt by which gave the Red Raiders the ball on the Lobos 3 yard line. The Red Raiders capitalized on the blocked punt on the next play with a 3 yard rushing touchdown by Eric Stephens
and a successful extra point by Matt Williams for a score of 14–0. New Mexico's next possession ended with successful 28 yard field goal, for a score of 14–3. New Mexico's kickoff was returned 93 yards to the New Mexico 7 yard line by Eric Stephens. The Red Raiders scored two plays later with a Barron Batch rushing touchdown for 2 yards. The Matt Williams extra point brought the score to 21–3. Neither team would score on their remaining drives in the first quarter.
The Red Raiders first drive of the 2nd quarter ended in a Barron Batch fumble in the Lobos' end zone. New Mexico recovered the fumble and returned it to their 7 yard line. The Lobos would be unable to capitalize on the turnover and punted the ball away 5 plays later. The next drive ended with a Red Raider field goal by Matt Williams for a score of 24–3. The Lobos first touchdown of the game came on the next drive with a B.R. Holbrook touchdown pass to Lucas Reed. James Aho kicked the extra point for the Lobos and brought the score to 24–10. The Red Raiders answered the Lobos' touchdown with one of their own on their next possession. This touchdown came way by a 25 yard Taylor Potts pass to Lyle Leong with a Matt Williams extra point for a score of 31–10. The Lobos scored the final score of the half after Chris Hernandez recovered his own team's fumble for a touchdown. James Aho kicked the extra point and brought the final score at the half to 31–17.
The Lobos received the opening kick of the 2nd half. The Lobos first drive of the third quarter ended with a blocked punt by Jonathan Brydon of the Red Raiders, placing the ball on New Mexico's 1 yard for Texas Tech's first drive. The Red Raiders were able to capitalize on the turn over with a Baron Batch touchdown rush for 1 yard. Matt Williams successfully point after attempt would be the last score by either team in the 3rd quarter. The final score at the end of the 3rd quarter was 38–17.
The Red Raiders would be the only team to score in the 4th quarter. Their first score would come during their first possession of the quarter when Tyler Potts completed at 11 yard touchdown pass to Lyle Leong. Matt Williams kicked the extra point to bring the score to 45–17. The final score by either team came after a B.R. Holbrook pass was intercepted by Jarvis Phillips of the Red Raiders on the New Mexico 40 yard line. Phillips returned the ball 27 yards to the New Mexico 13 yard line setting the Red Raiders up for a 10 yard rushing touchdown by Steven Sheffield two plays later. Matt Williams extra point was the last score of the game, bringing the final score to 52–17.
The Red Raiders passed for a total of 310 yards, with Potts completing 24 of his 41 passes and Sheffield 2 of his 7 passes. Texas Tech led in rushing for a total of 152 yards. The Lobos passed for a total of 336 yards and rushed for 97 yards. New Mexico had a total of 3 turnovers, 2 interceptions and a fumble, and 2 blocked punts, in contrast to Texas Tech's 2 fumbles.
over Texas in the 2008 season
the Longhorns returned to Jones AT&T Stadium for an evening game. This game marked the 60th meeting of the two teams, and the Longhorns led the overall series with a record of 44–15 going into the game. At their last meeting in 2009, the Longhorns defeated the Red Raiders with a final score of 34-24. This game also marked the first sell out at the Jones AT&T Stadium since the recent expansion was completed, and a new attendance record of 60,454 was set.
Tech got off to a rocky start, with the first snap of the game going over the head of quarterback Taylor Potts. The ball was recovered by the Longhorns' Jackson Jeffcoat at Tech's 7-yard-line, and the Horns quickly scored for an early 7-0 lead. The Texas lead grew to 14-0 and the Longhorns were threatening again when Tech's Jarvis Phillips intercepted a Garrett Gilbert
pass and returning it 87 yards for a touchdown. Tech tied up the game at 14-14 before halftime as Potts connected with his former high school teammate, Lyle Leong, on a fade route in the corner of the end zone for a 15-yard touchdown. The score was 17-14 in the third quarter when the Longhorns began a 22-play, 9-minute drive for a touchdown. The touchdown drive was aided by a controversial 15-yard taunting penalty against Tech's Will Ford after an incomplete Longhorn pass on 3rd down and 13 at Tech's 27-yard line. Tech's offense was held to 144 total yards in the loss. Potts threw for only 158 yards, and the Longhorns held Tech to minus-14 yards rushing.
in Ames, Iowa
for their second road game of the season. This game marked only the ninth time the two teams have met and the start of an annual conference series. The Red Raiders dominated the overall series heading into this matchup with a record of 7–1. However, the Red Raiders fell 52–38 to Iowa State marking their first loss to the Cyclones since 2002. Turnovers played a big role in this meeting as Texas Tech had three (two fumbles, one interception) while the Cyclones had none. A poor first half also contributed to the Red Raider loss.
Then came a special teams disaster for Tech as the Raiders attempted an on-side kick. However, the ball failed to travel 10 yards, and Baylor's Terrance Ganaway scooped up the ball and ran past the Tech kickoff team for an easy 38-yard touchdown and a 14-7 lead. Tech came back again, however, with a touchdown pass from Taylor Potts to Alexander Torres to tie the score again. Baylor took the lead again early in the second quarter on a Griffin TD pass to Josh Gordon, who had been arrested for marijuana possession earlier in the week after being found asleep in the drive-through lane at a Taco Bell in Waco.
Trailing 21-14, the Raiders responded with three straight touchdowns to take a 35-21 lead. Tech scored on a 37-yard run by Baron Batch, another short touchdown pass from Potts to Torres, and a 10-yard pass from Potts to Detron Lewis with 1:38 remaining in the half. Griffin and Baylor then burned Tech's defense, with Griffin hooking up with Kendall Wright
on a 62-yard touchdown pass to narrow Tech's lead to 35-28 going into halftime.
In the third quarter, Tech scored on a Williams field goal to go up 38-28, and the Red Raiders extended their lead to 45-28 with a touchdown pass from Potts to Batch midway through the third quarter. The Bears added 10 points and kept Tech from scoring again, but the Raiders held on for the win. The Raiders had one of their best offensive showings of the year, with Potts throwing for 462 yards and the Raiders adding 169 rushing yards as they avoided their first-ever 0-3 start in Big XII play.
Potts played the entire second half at QB for Tech, adding a pair of touchdown passes to Lyle Leong as the Tech offense got untracked. Tech moved into scoring position with a chance to extend the lead, but a Taylor Potts interception gave the Tigers a chance to tie the game. The Tech defense shut out Missouri's offense in the second half, holding Blaine Gabbert to just 12 of 30 passing and 95 passing yards for the entire game. Tech's defensive backs knocked down two potential game-tying touchdown passes in the fourth quarter to preserve the win, which improved Tech's season record to 5-4.
Potts threw for 272 yards before ending his day late in the 2nd quarter. Steven Sheffield came in to throw a TD pass to Aaron Crawford as Tech's second-team offense came in a few minutes before halftime.
Tech's reserves played the entire second half, with Ben McRoy scoring on two touchdown runs and Matt Williams and Donnie Carona adding a field goal each as the rout continued. Sheffield completed 8 of 12 passes for 109 yards in one quarter of play, and Seth Doege
completed 3 of 4 passes for 58 yards on two touchdown drives.
Tech took the lead early on a Taylor Potts touchdown pass to Detron Lewis, but the Cougars came back to take a 10-7 lead. Tech went up 14-10 on a 26-yard run by Eric Stephens, and the Raiders added to their lead with another Potts-to-Lewis touchdown throw. Potts threw second-half touchdown passes to Lyle Leong and Baron Batch as Tech pulled away for the win. The Cougars actually outgained Tech in total yardage and first downs, but Tech's defense forced three interceptions on the Cougar's freshman quarterback, David Piland, playing for the injured Case Keenum
. Houston ended up with 585 total yards to Tech's 488.
Texas Tech University
Texas Tech University, often referred to as Texas Tech or TTU, is a public research university in Lubbock, Texas, United States. Established on February 10, 1923, and originally known as Texas Technological College, it is the leading institution of the Texas Tech University System and has the...
in the 2010 NCAA Division I FBS football season
2010 NCAA Division I FBS football season
The 2010 NCAA Division I FBS football season, or the college football season, began on Thursday, September 2, 2010. The season progressed through the regular season and bowl season, and concluded with the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game on Monday, January 10, 2011.-Rule changes for...
. The team was coached by first-year head coach Tommy Tuberville
Tommy Tuberville
Thomas Hawley Tuberville is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head football coach at Texas Tech University, a position he has held since the 2010 season...
and played its home games at Jones AT&T Stadium
Jones AT&T Stadium
Jones AT&T Stadium is an outdoor athletic stadium on the campus of Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, United States. It is the home field of the Texas Tech Red Raiders football team of the Big 12 Conference.-Planning and funding:Clifford B. and Audrey Jones Stadium opened in 1947...
. They were members of the South Division of the Big 12 Conference
Big 12 Conference
The Big 12 Conference is a college athletic conference of ten schools located in the Central United States, with its headquarters located in Las Colinas, a community in the Dallas, Texas suburb of Irving...
. They finished the season 8–5, 3–5 in Big 12 play and were invited to the inagrual TicketCity Bowl where they defeated Northwestern
2010 Northwestern Wildcats football team
The 2010 Northwestern Wildcats football team represented Northwestern University in the Big Ten during the 2010 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Pat Fitzgerald, in his fifth season at Northwestern, was the team's head coach. The Wildcats home games were played at Ryan Field in Evanston, Illinois...
45–38.
Coaching changes
On December 28, 2009, head coach Mike Leach was suspended by Texas Tech University pending investigation of alleged inappropriate treatment of Adam James, a redshirtRedshirt (college sports)
Redshirt is a term used in American college athletics that refers to a delay or suspension of an athlete's participation in order to lengthen his or her period of eligibility...
sophomore
Sophomore
Sophomore is a term used in the United States to describe a student in the second year of study at high school or university.The word is also used as a synonym for "second", for the second album or EP released by a musician or group, the second movie of a director, or the second season of a...
wide receiver, and the son of former SMU Mustangs
SMU Mustangs football
The SMU Mustangs football program is a college football team that represents Southern Methodist University . The team competes in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision as a member Conference USA...
and New England Patriots
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
running back Craig James. The suspension came after allegations that Leach treated Adam James unfairly following a mild concussion. Leach was terminated by the university on December 30, 2009. Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator Ruffin McNeill
Ruffin McNeill
Ruffin McNeill is the head football coach for the East Carolina Pirates. Before being named head coach, McNeill served the Texas Tech Red Raiders as an interim head coach, assistant head coach, special teams coordinator, and linebackers coach...
was named interim head coach and led the team during their appearance in the 2010 Alamo Bowl
2010 Alamo Bowl (January)
The 2010 Alamo Bowl was the seventeenth edition of the college football bowl game, and was played at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas on Saturday, January 2, 2010. The game featured the Michigan State Spartans against the Texas Tech Red Raiders.The 2010 game was the last one to feature a team...
.
On January 9, 2010, Tommy Tuberville
Tommy Tuberville
Thomas Hawley Tuberville is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head football coach at Texas Tech University, a position he has held since the 2010 season...
was named head coach, replacing interim head coach Ruffin McNeill
Ruffin McNeill
Ruffin McNeill is the head football coach for the East Carolina Pirates. Before being named head coach, McNeill served the Texas Tech Red Raiders as an interim head coach, assistant head coach, special teams coordinator, and linebackers coach...
. Tuberville was introduced at a press conference on Sunday, January 10, 2010. Inside receivers coach Lincoln Riley, running backs coach Clay McGuire, cornerbacks coach Brian Mitchell and special teams coordinator Eric Russell were released from the coaching staff. Safeties coach Carlos Mainord retired after six seasons with the program. Offensive graduate assistant Sonny Cumbie
Sonny Cumbie
Sonny Jack Cumbie is an American football Assistant Coach for the Texas Tech Red Raiders, serving as Inside Receivers Coach...
and offensive line coach Matt Moore were the only coaches to remain with on staff after Tuberville was hired. Moore remained in the same position while Cumbie replaced Lincoln Riley as inside receivers coach. Neal Brown
Neal Brown
Neal Brown is an American college football coach and former player. He is currently the offensive coordinator & QB coach at Texas Tech.-Background:...
was hired as offensive coordinator after four seasons with the Troy Trojans
Troy Trojans football
The Troy Trojans football program represents Troy University, Alabama, in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision, formerly known as Division I-A, of which it has been a member since 2001...
, after two seasons in the same position. James Willis, former assistant to Tuberville at Auburn
Auburn Tigers football
Only Mohamed Amin Abughadir set the record with 1,890 yards in 1 season. He was the QB for Auburn in 1998.The Auburn Tigers football team represents Auburn University in college football as a member of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, competing in the Western Division of the...
, was hired as defensive coordinator. Willis previously served as associate head coach and outside linebackers coach with the Alabama Crimson Tide
Alabama Crimson Tide football
|TeamName = Alabama football |Image = Alabama Crimson Tide Logo.svg |ImageSize = 110 |Helmet = Alabama Football.png |ImageSize2 = 150 |CurrentSeason = 2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team...
for the 2009 season.
Recruiting
Award watch lists
- Baron BatchBaron BatchBaron Batch is an American football running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. He played college football at Texas Tech University . Batch is from Midland, Texas.-College career:...
- Doak Walker AwardDoak Walker AwardThe Doak Walker Award, first awarded in 1990, honors the United States's top college football running back. It is named after the Southern Methodist and Detroit Lions football player Doak Walker... - Brian Duncan - Butkus Award, Lott TrophyLott TrophyThe Lott IMPACT Trophy is presented annually to the college football Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year. IMPACT is an acronym for: integrity, maturity, performance, academics, community, and tenacity. The award purports to equally recognize the personal character of the winning player as well as...
, Bronko Nagurski TrophyBronko Nagurski TrophyThe Bronko Nagurski Trophy has been awarded annually since 1993 to the collegiate American football player adjudged by the membership of the Football Writers Association of America to be the best defensively in the National Collegiate Athletic Association; the award is presented by the Charlotte... - Detron LewisDetron LewisDetron Lewis is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 2011. He played college football at Texas Tech.-College career:...
- Biletnikoff Award - Taylor PottsTaylor PottsTaylor Potts is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the St. Louis Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2011...
- Davey O'Brien AwardDavey O'Brien AwardThe Davey O'Brien Award, officially the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award, named after Davey O'Brien, is presented annually to the collegiate American football player adjudged by the Davey O'Brien Foundation to be the best of all National Collegiate Athletic Association quarterbacks. The...
Coaching staff
| Name | Position | Years at Texas Tech | Alma mater |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tommy Tuberville Tommy Tuberville Thomas Hawley Tuberville is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head football coach at Texas Tech University, a position he has held since the 2010 season... |
Head Coach | 1 | Southern Arkansas University Southern Arkansas University Southern Arkansas University is a public four-year institution located in Magnolia, the seat of Columbia County in Arkansas, United States, not far from the Louisiana state line.-Location:Southern Arkansas University is located in Magnolia, which, as of the census... |
| Neal Brown Neal Brown Neal Brown is an American college football coach and former player. He is currently the offensive coordinator & QB coach at Texas Tech.-Background:... |
Offensive Coordinator | 1 | University of Massachusetts University of Massachusetts This article relates to the statewide university system. For the flagship campus often referred to as "UMass", see University of Massachusetts Amherst... |
| James Willis | Defensive Coordinator | 1 | Auburn University Auburn University Auburn University is a public university located in Auburn, Alabama, United States. With more than 25,000 students and 1,200 faculty members, it is one of the largest universities in the state. Auburn was chartered on February 7, 1856, as the East Alabama Male College, a private liberal arts... |
| Sonny Cumbie Sonny Cumbie Sonny Jack Cumbie is an American football Assistant Coach for the Texas Tech Red Raiders, serving as Inside Receivers Coach... |
Inside Receivers | 1 | Texas Tech University Texas Tech University Texas Tech University, often referred to as Texas Tech or TTU, is a public research university in Lubbock, Texas, United States. Established on February 10, 1923, and originally known as Texas Technological College, it is the leading institution of the Texas Tech University System and has the... |
| Tommy Mainord | Outside Receivers | 1 | Tarleton State University Tarleton State University Tarleton State University is a public, coeducational, state university located in Stephenville, Texas. It is the largest non-land-grant university primarily devoted to agriculture in the United States.... |
| Sam McElroy Sam McElroy -External links:*... |
Defensive Line | 1 | Southwest Texas State University Texas State University–San Marcos Texas State University–San Marcos is a doctoral-granting university located in San Marcos, Texas... |
| Matt Moore | Offensive Line | 4 | Valdosta State University Valdosta State University Valdosta State University, also referred to as VSU, or Valdosta State, is an American public university and is one of the two regional universities in the University System of Georgia. Valdosta State is located on a campus at the heart of the city of Valdosta... |
| Robert Prunty | Defensive Ends and Outside Linebackers | 1 | Alabama A&M University Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University, also known as Alabama A&M University or AAMU, is a public, historically black university, Land-grant university located in Normal, Madison County, Alabama.... |
| Travaris Robinson Travaris Robinson Travaris Robinson is an American football coach and former college and professional player. He played college football for Auburn University, and thereafter, he played professionally for the Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League... |
Secondary | 1 | Auburn University Auburn University Auburn University is a public university located in Auburn, Alabama, United States. With more than 25,000 students and 1,200 faculty members, it is one of the largest universities in the state. Auburn was chartered on February 7, 1856, as the East Alabama Male College, a private liberal arts... |
| Chad Scott | Running Backs | 1 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public research university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States... |
| Joe Walker | Head Strength & Conditioning Coach | 1 | Auburn University Auburn University Auburn University is a public university located in Auburn, Alabama, United States. With more than 25,000 students and 1,200 faculty members, it is one of the largest universities in the state. Auburn was chartered on February 7, 1856, as the East Alabama Male College, a private liberal arts... |
Roster
Center
Cornerback
Deep Snapper
Defensive Back
Defensive End
Defensive Lineman
Defensive Tackle
|
Inside Receiver
Kicker
Linebacker
Offensive Lineman
Offensive Tackle
Placekicker
Punter
|
Quarterback
Running Back
Safety
Tight End
Wide Receiver
|
||||
Source: 2010 Texas Tech Football Roster  Redshirt (college sports) Redshirt is a term used in American college athletics that refers to a delay or suspension of an athlete's participation in order to lengthen his or her period of eligibility... , sitting out a year |
||||||
Schedule
SMU
The SMU Mustangs won the coin toss and elected to receive the opening kick off. Donnie Carona kicked the opening kick off, a 70 yard touchback, for the Red Raiders. The Mustangs opening drive proved to be unfruitful and ended in a punt. The Red Raiders opening drive was equally as unproductive ending with a field goal by Matt Williams
Matt Williams
Matthew Williams or Matt Williams may refer to*Matthew Williams , minor league baseball player in the Minnesota Twins organization*Matt Williams , former Major League Baseball player...
being blocked. Texas Tech's first score of the game came in their third drive after the Red Raiders recovered a fumbled punt. Following four rushing plays, Taylor Potts
Taylor Potts
Taylor Potts is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the St. Louis Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2011...
completed a touchdown pass to Lyle Leong for 2 yards. Matt Williams successfully converted the PAT, bringing the score to 7–0. Neither team would score any more points in the first quarter.
The Red Raiders would be the first to score in the second quarter with a 6 yard Taylor Potts pass to Detron Lewis
Detron Lewis
Detron Lewis is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 2011. He played college football at Texas Tech.-College career:...
for a touchdown. Matt Williams kicked the extra point and brought the score to 14–0. The Mustangs would be the next to score, five drives later, by way of a 2 yard rush by Zach Line for a touchdown, their first first of the game. Matt Szymanski followed up with a successful extra point kick for a score of 14–7. The Red Raiders answered the Mustangs score with a touchdown of their own on the next drive when Taylor Potts once again found Detron Lewis in the end zone for a 16 yard touchdown pass. Matt Williams extra point attempt was good ending the last drive of the half. Texas Tech led at the half with a score of 21–7.
Following halftime, the Red Raiders received the opening kick-off of the second half. Their opening drive of the half consisted of six plays, and ended with a 4 yard touchdown pass by Taylor Potts to Lyle Leong. Matt Williams' extra point attempt was good bring the score to 28–7. The Mustangs would be the next to score on the very next drive with a 17 yard pass by Kyle Padron to Cole Beasley and an PAT by Matt Szymanski for a score of 28–14. After a D.J. Johnson interception on the Mustangs next drive, the Red Raiders would march down the field on their third drive of the half for another touchdown. This touchdown was courtesy of a 3 yard rush by Eric Stephens, with an extra point by Matt Williams for a score of 35–14. The final scoring drive of the third quarter would end with a 24 yard Mustangs field goal by Matt Szymanski. The final score at the end of the third quarter was 35–17.
The Mustangs would be the only team to score in the fourth quarter. Their first score came on their first drive with a SMU school record 61 yard field goal by Matt Szymanski. Their next score, and the last of the game, would come two drives later with a 13 yard touchdown pass by Kyle Padron to Cole Beasley and an extra point by Matt Szymanski. The final score at the end of the game was 35–27.
The Red Raiders rushed for a total of 72 yards and passed for 359 yards in 34 completed passes. The Red Raiders only had 1 turnover by way of a fumble during a failed 4th down quarterback dive in the 4th quarter. The Mustangs rushed for a total of 109 yards and passed for 218 yards in 21 completed passes. In contrast to the Red Raiders, the Mustangs had 4 turnovers, 3 of which were interceptions.
New Mexico
The Red Raiders first 2010 road game was against the New Mexico Lobos in AlbuquerqueAlbuquerque, New Mexico
Albuquerque is the largest city in the state of New Mexico, United States. It is the county seat of Bernalillo County and is situated in the central part of the state, straddling the Rio Grande. The city population was 545,852 as of the 2010 Census and ranks as the 32nd-largest city in the U.S. As...
. This game was the 42nd meeting of the two teams, with Texas Tech leading the series with an all-time record of 33–6–2 going in. Texas Tech defeated New Mexico in the 2009 season with a final score of 48–28.
Texas Tech won the coin toss and elected to receive the kick off. The Red Raiders first drive ended in 4 plays with a 55 yard touchdown pass by Taylor Potts
Taylor Potts
Taylor Potts is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the St. Louis Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2011...
to Austin Zouzalik. Matt Williams
Matt Williams
Matthew Williams or Matt Williams may refer to*Matthew Williams , minor league baseball player in the Minnesota Twins organization*Matt Williams , former Major League Baseball player...
kicked the extra point kick to bring the score to 7–0 with 14:15 left in the first quarter. New Mexico's first drive lasted 9 plays and ended in blocked punt by which gave the Red Raiders the ball on the Lobos 3 yard line. The Red Raiders capitalized on the blocked punt on the next play with a 3 yard rushing touchdown by Eric Stephens
Eric Stephens
Eric Stephens was a British comic strip artist who contributed to Jack and Jill, drawing episodes of the cover strip 'Jack and Jill of Buttercup Farm' and colouring a number of centre-spread features such as 'There Was An Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe' and 'Our Village'...
and a successful extra point by Matt Williams for a score of 14–0. New Mexico's next possession ended with successful 28 yard field goal, for a score of 14–3. New Mexico's kickoff was returned 93 yards to the New Mexico 7 yard line by Eric Stephens. The Red Raiders scored two plays later with a Barron Batch rushing touchdown for 2 yards. The Matt Williams extra point brought the score to 21–3. Neither team would score on their remaining drives in the first quarter.
The Red Raiders first drive of the 2nd quarter ended in a Barron Batch fumble in the Lobos' end zone. New Mexico recovered the fumble and returned it to their 7 yard line. The Lobos would be unable to capitalize on the turnover and punted the ball away 5 plays later. The next drive ended with a Red Raider field goal by Matt Williams for a score of 24–3. The Lobos first touchdown of the game came on the next drive with a B.R. Holbrook touchdown pass to Lucas Reed. James Aho kicked the extra point for the Lobos and brought the score to 24–10. The Red Raiders answered the Lobos' touchdown with one of their own on their next possession. This touchdown came way by a 25 yard Taylor Potts pass to Lyle Leong with a Matt Williams extra point for a score of 31–10. The Lobos scored the final score of the half after Chris Hernandez recovered his own team's fumble for a touchdown. James Aho kicked the extra point and brought the final score at the half to 31–17.
The Lobos received the opening kick of the 2nd half. The Lobos first drive of the third quarter ended with a blocked punt by Jonathan Brydon of the Red Raiders, placing the ball on New Mexico's 1 yard for Texas Tech's first drive. The Red Raiders were able to capitalize on the turn over with a Baron Batch touchdown rush for 1 yard. Matt Williams successfully point after attempt would be the last score by either team in the 3rd quarter. The final score at the end of the 3rd quarter was 38–17.
The Red Raiders would be the only team to score in the 4th quarter. Their first score would come during their first possession of the quarter when Tyler Potts completed at 11 yard touchdown pass to Lyle Leong. Matt Williams kicked the extra point to bring the score to 45–17. The final score by either team came after a B.R. Holbrook pass was intercepted by Jarvis Phillips of the Red Raiders on the New Mexico 40 yard line. Phillips returned the ball 27 yards to the New Mexico 13 yard line setting the Red Raiders up for a 10 yard rushing touchdown by Steven Sheffield two plays later. Matt Williams extra point was the last score of the game, bringing the final score to 52–17.
The Red Raiders passed for a total of 310 yards, with Potts completing 24 of his 41 passes and Sheffield 2 of his 7 passes. Texas Tech led in rushing for a total of 152 yards. The Lobos passed for a total of 336 yards and rushed for 97 yards. New Mexico had a total of 3 turnovers, 2 interceptions and a fumble, and 2 blocked punts, in contrast to Texas Tech's 2 fumbles.
Texas
For the first time since the Texas Tech upset2008 Texas vs. Texas Tech football game
The 2008 Texas vs. Texas Tech football game was a Big 12 Conference game played between the Texas Longhorns and Texas Tech Red Raiders at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas, United States.-Pregame:...
over Texas in the 2008 season
2008 Texas Tech Red Raiders football team
The 2008 Texas Tech Red Raiders football team represented Texas Tech University in the college football season of 2008/09. The team was coached by Mike Leach. The Red Raiders played their home games at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. The football team competed in the Division I Football Bowl...
the Longhorns returned to Jones AT&T Stadium for an evening game. This game marked the 60th meeting of the two teams, and the Longhorns led the overall series with a record of 44–15 going into the game. At their last meeting in 2009, the Longhorns defeated the Red Raiders with a final score of 34-24. This game also marked the first sell out at the Jones AT&T Stadium since the recent expansion was completed, and a new attendance record of 60,454 was set.
Tech got off to a rocky start, with the first snap of the game going over the head of quarterback Taylor Potts. The ball was recovered by the Longhorns' Jackson Jeffcoat at Tech's 7-yard-line, and the Horns quickly scored for an early 7-0 lead. The Texas lead grew to 14-0 and the Longhorns were threatening again when Tech's Jarvis Phillips intercepted a Garrett Gilbert
Garrett Gilbert
Garrett Gilbert is a current quarterback for the SMU Mustangs college football team. Gilbert was regarded as one of the best high school quarterbacks of his class and was named the 2008 Offensive Player of the Year by USA Today....
pass and returning it 87 yards for a touchdown. Tech tied up the game at 14-14 before halftime as Potts connected with his former high school teammate, Lyle Leong, on a fade route in the corner of the end zone for a 15-yard touchdown. The score was 17-14 in the third quarter when the Longhorns began a 22-play, 9-minute drive for a touchdown. The touchdown drive was aided by a controversial 15-yard taunting penalty against Tech's Will Ford after an incomplete Longhorn pass on 3rd down and 13 at Tech's 27-yard line. Tech's offense was held to 144 total yards in the loss. Potts threw for only 158 yards, and the Longhorns held Tech to minus-14 yards rushing.
Iowa State
The Texas Tech Red Raiders faced the Iowa State Cyclones at the Jack Trice StadiumJack Trice Stadium
Jack Trice Stadium is a stadium, in Ames, Iowa, United States. It opened on September 20, 1975 making it the newest stadium in the Big 12 Conference...
in Ames, Iowa
Ames, Iowa
Ames is a city located in the central part of the U.S. state of Iowa in Story County, and approximately north of Des Moines. The U.S. Census Bureau designates that Ames, Iowa metropolitan statistical area as encompassing all of Story County, and which, when combined with the Boone, Iowa...
for their second road game of the season. This game marked only the ninth time the two teams have met and the start of an annual conference series. The Red Raiders dominated the overall series heading into this matchup with a record of 7–1. However, the Red Raiders fell 52–38 to Iowa State marking their first loss to the Cyclones since 2002. Turnovers played a big role in this meeting as Texas Tech had three (two fumbles, one interception) while the Cyclones had none. A poor first half also contributed to the Red Raider loss.
Baylor
The Red Raiders and Bears faced off in the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, with the Raiders hoping to bounce back from their road loss at Iowa State. Tech was considered the "home" team in the second neutral-site game between the two teams; the 2009 Tech-Baylor game had been played at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington. The Bears got on the board first, taking the opening kickoff and marching 82 yards before scoring on Robert Griffin's 1-yard run. Tech responded with a 9-play, 80-yard drive, knotting the score at 7-7 on a 10-yard run by Eric Stephens.Then came a special teams disaster for Tech as the Raiders attempted an on-side kick. However, the ball failed to travel 10 yards, and Baylor's Terrance Ganaway scooped up the ball and ran past the Tech kickoff team for an easy 38-yard touchdown and a 14-7 lead. Tech came back again, however, with a touchdown pass from Taylor Potts to Alexander Torres to tie the score again. Baylor took the lead again early in the second quarter on a Griffin TD pass to Josh Gordon, who had been arrested for marijuana possession earlier in the week after being found asleep in the drive-through lane at a Taco Bell in Waco.
Trailing 21-14, the Raiders responded with three straight touchdowns to take a 35-21 lead. Tech scored on a 37-yard run by Baron Batch, another short touchdown pass from Potts to Torres, and a 10-yard pass from Potts to Detron Lewis with 1:38 remaining in the half. Griffin and Baylor then burned Tech's defense, with Griffin hooking up with Kendall Wright
Kendall Wright
Kendall Wright is an American football wide receiver for the Baylor Bears. He is considered one of the best wide prospects for the 2012 NFL Draft.-Early years:Wright attended Pittsburg High School in Pittsburg, Texas...
on a 62-yard touchdown pass to narrow Tech's lead to 35-28 going into halftime.
In the third quarter, Tech scored on a Williams field goal to go up 38-28, and the Red Raiders extended their lead to 45-28 with a touchdown pass from Potts to Batch midway through the third quarter. The Bears added 10 points and kept Tech from scoring again, but the Raiders held on for the win. The Raiders had one of their best offensive showings of the year, with Potts throwing for 462 yards and the Raiders adding 169 rushing yards as they avoided their first-ever 0-3 start in Big XII play.
Oklahoma State
Colorado
Down 17-7 in the third quarter, Texas Tech outscored Colorado 20-7 in the final 23:43 to win in Boulder, capped by a Matt Williams 36 yard field goal with 2:08 left. This was Texas Tech's first ever victory in Boulder, CO, and it occurred in the final season of Big 12 Conference play for the Buffaloes, as they will compete in the Pacific-12 Conference in the 2011 football season.Texas A&M
Missouri
Tech picked up its most impressive regular season win of 2010 with its win over the Tigers, ranked #14 in the AP poll and #12 in the BCS rankings. Tech fell behind early, trailing 14-0 after the Tigers scored on two of their first three possessions. Senior quarterback Steven Sheffield started the game in place of Taylor Potts, and Sheffield led Tech to a first-quarter field goal to make the score 14-3. Late in the second quarter, Potts came in at quarterback and quickly led Tech to a touchdown, an 8-yard pass to Detron Lewis.Potts played the entire second half at QB for Tech, adding a pair of touchdown passes to Lyle Leong as the Tech offense got untracked. Tech moved into scoring position with a chance to extend the lead, but a Taylor Potts interception gave the Tigers a chance to tie the game. The Tech defense shut out Missouri's offense in the second half, holding Blaine Gabbert to just 12 of 30 passing and 95 passing yards for the entire game. Tech's defensive backs knocked down two potential game-tying touchdown passes in the fourth quarter to preserve the win, which improved Tech's season record to 5-4.
Oklahoma
Weber State
Tech clinched their 11th straight bowl berth with an easy non-conference win over FCS opponent Weber State. The Raiders opened the game with touchdowns on their first three possessions. Taylor Potts scored on a 2-yard run and threw scoring passes to Baron Batch and Lyle Leong as Tech quickly went up 21-0. Tech's defense forced a safety late in the first quarter to give Tech a 23-0 lead.Potts threw for 272 yards before ending his day late in the 2nd quarter. Steven Sheffield came in to throw a TD pass to Aaron Crawford as Tech's second-team offense came in a few minutes before halftime.
Tech's reserves played the entire second half, with Ben McRoy scoring on two touchdown runs and Matt Williams and Donnie Carona adding a field goal each as the rout continued. Sheffield completed 8 of 12 passes for 109 yards in one quarter of play, and Seth Doege
Seth Doege
Seth Doege is an American football quarterback. He is currently the starting quarterback for the 2011 Texas Tech Red Raiders football team...
completed 3 of 4 passes for 58 yards on two touchdown drives.
Houston
The Red Raiders came into their final regular season, on Thanksgiving weekend at Jones AT&T Stadium, seeking revenge for their 2009 road loss to the Houston Cougars. Tech's victory improved the Raiders' record to 7-5 and denied the Cougars bowl eligibility, as the Cougars finished with a 5-7 record.Tech took the lead early on a Taylor Potts touchdown pass to Detron Lewis, but the Cougars came back to take a 10-7 lead. Tech went up 14-10 on a 26-yard run by Eric Stephens, and the Raiders added to their lead with another Potts-to-Lewis touchdown throw. Potts threw second-half touchdown passes to Lyle Leong and Baron Batch as Tech pulled away for the win. The Cougars actually outgained Tech in total yardage and first downs, but Tech's defense forced three interceptions on the Cougar's freshman quarterback, David Piland, playing for the injured Case Keenum
Case Keenum
Casey Austin "Case" Keenum is a redshirt senior quarterback for the Houston Cougars football team. Keenum has already set several school records at the University of Houston and has positioned himself to become the NCAA's all-time leader in total passing yards in 2011...
. Houston ended up with 585 total yards to Tech's 488.
Northwestern–TicketCity Bowl
Awards and honors
- Taylor PottsTaylor PottsTaylor Potts is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the St. Louis Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2011...
- AT&T ESPN All-America Player of the WeekAT&T ESPN All-America PlayerThe AT&T ESPN All-America Player is a joint marketing venture between AT&T and ESPN that allows fans to select college football's player of the week and player of the year respectively. Each "vote" counts as an entry into an AT&T sweepstakes, usually for a trip to the BCS National Championship... - Eric Stevens - Big 12 Conference Player of the Week