Texas Tech @ New Mexico preview
Dreamstyle Stadium
Last Meeting ( Oct 3, 2009 ) New Mexico 28, Texas Tech 48
Tommy Tuberville was on the sidelines for Texas Tech, but the presence of Mike Leach was still apparent. Maybe not physically, but certainly philosophically in the Red Raiders’ 35-27 victory over Southern Methodist last Sunday.
Leach, who was fired after last season, implemented a high-flying, high-scoring offense in west Texas, and Tuberville kept that intact. And why not? Tech quarterback Taylor Potts threw for 359 yards and four touchdowns in the season opener.
Now, Tuberville and the Red Raiders (1-0) will travel across the border for their first road game of the season at New Mexico (0-1) on Saturday. The Lobos fell to Oregon 72-0 in Week 1.
It will be the 42nd meeting between Tech and New Mexico. The Red Raiders have a commanding 33-6-2 record in the series that started back in 1931.
The Red Raiders should rely on their passing game again. Against the Mustangs, Potts was 34-for-53 with no interceptions and found senior wide receiver Lyle Leong for three touchdowns.
On the ground, the Red Raiders had a solid game behind Baron Batch and Eric Stephens.
Tech will also get a boost with sophomore receiver Alex Torres and offensive lineman Mickey Okafor returning to action. Torres was the team’s leading receiver last season, but missed Sunday’s game after suffering a lower-back strain during training camp. Okafor, who made two starts last season, was sidelined last week with a concussion.
Defensively, the Red Raiders had an impressive week by forcing four turnovers. They intercepted SMU quarterback Kyle Padron three times, and also recovered a fumble. Tech’s young defensive backfield got interceptions from sophomore D.J. Johnson, redshirt freshman Jarvis Phillips and true freshman Tre’ Porter.
The defense recorded five sacks, including three from senior linebacker Brian Duncan.
New Mexico, meanwhile, hopes to put together a more respectable showing after an embarrassing 72-0 loss in the opening week. The Lobos did have 16 players making their collegiate debut.
Still, Oregon running back Kenjon Barner rushed for a career-high 147 yards and four touchdowns. New Mexico did take a hit when defensive lineman Carmen Messina left the game with a high-ankle sprain.
Messina, who led the nation with 162 tackles last year, is questionable for this week’s game.
Offensively, the Lobos didn’t get much going against the Ducks. New Mexico quarterback B.R. Holbrook made his debut in the starting role and finished 11-of-24 for 70 yards with two interceptions. The Lobos managed only 25 rushing yards.
While all signs point to Texas Tech, New Mexico does have some hope. The last time the Red Raiders came to town, the Lobos pulled out a 27-24 victory in 2004. That is the only victory New Mexico has against Texas Tech in the last 12 meetings, dating to 1985.