Texas Tech Wins Season Opener
June 21, 1999 | Football
September 5, 1998
LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) - Ricky Williams ran for a career-high 251 yards and two touchdowns and backup Matt Tittle threw a 45-yard touchdown pass, leading Texas Tech to a 35-3 victory over Texas-El Paso on Saturday night.
Tech won its season opener for the first time since 1994, while UTEP lost its eighth straight opener.
Williams, who set a school freshman rushing record with 894 yards last year, had 59 yards on 17 carries in the first half, then ran for 189 yards on 24 carries in the final two quarters.
His first touchdown, a 2-yarder, capped an 84-yard drive during which he gained 66 yards. His second score, a 3-yarder, came a few plays after a career-best 51-yard run.
The Miners couldn't key solely on Williams because of the nice relief effort by Tittle, a senior who had only completed one pass in his career.
He was forced into action early in the second quarter after starter Rob Peters left with a shoulder injury. His first completion was a 45-yard pass that Donnie Hart acrobatically caught over cornerback Darius Ellison's head, giving Tech a 7-0 lead late in the first half.
Tech's defense also was impressive, forcing five first-half turnovers and coming up with a fumble and an interception in the second half. The Red Raiders also made some big stops on short-yardage third downs in the third and fourth quarters.
The Miners finally scored with 10:38 to play on a 42-yard field goal by Ricky Bishop.
Williams' first touchdown, a 2-yarder, put Tech ahead 16-0 with 4:44 left in the third quarter. Rickey Hunter ran in a 2-point conversion to give the Red Raiders an 18-0 lead.
Williams, whose second-half yardage alone surpassed his previous game best of 179 yards, answered Bishop's field goal with his long run down the left sideline. His second touchdown put Tech up 25-3 with 9:09 to play.
Jaret Greaser's 27-yard field goal following Kyle Shipley's interception made it 28-3. James Easterling capped the scoring with a 40-yard run with 1:55 left.
Greaser also kicked a 51-yard field goal and had misses for 49 and 52 yards.
Peters' debut lasted just over a quarter as he sprained his right shoulder during an option play in Tech's first series. He lasted 10 more plays but was obviously in pain, doubling over and clutching his arm after several plays.
Peters, a junior replacing four-year starter Zebbie Lethridge, was 2-of-4 for 22 yards and ran three times for 14 yards.
Tittle was 10-of-18 for 172 yards. Hart caught eight passes for 164 yards.
Elzie Johnson led UTEP with 98 yards on 18 carries, including a career-best 38-yarder.