Stephens Ignites Red Raiders
September 03, 2011 | Football
September 3, 2011
by Britton Drown
Texas Tech Athletics Communications
For a moment, everything felt right inside Jones AT&T Stadium.
It was quick, but on a 46-yard scamper, Eric Stephens rumbled into the south end zone and instantly the mood inside a once dust-covered stadium lifted.
Stephens stood for just an instant, and there in the end zone took it all in. The celebration of the raucous student section, and simultaneously the rejuvenation that the Red Raiders finally held a commanding two-score lead in a game that at one point was slipping from their grasp.
Not only did the run completely swing the momentum of the game, but it was a historical mark for the junior running back from Mansfield, Texas. The 46-yard burst pushed Stephens over the 1,000 yard mark for his career.
 | "I was proud of our team. They kept their composure. There wasn't any panic on the sideline or in the dressing room." - Tommy Tuberville |
"I knew we would get it going offensively," head coach Tommy Tuberville said. "We didn't look good early in the third quarter but we started causing turnovers."
The victory marked the ninth-consecutive season-opening win for the Red Raiders.
"I was proud of our team," Tuberville added. "They kept their composure. There wasn't any panic on the sideline or in the dressing room."
Momentum can change quickly in college football, and that's exactly what happened Saturday night in front of an announced crowd of 51,792 at Jones AT&T Stadium.
After falling behind 10-0 early in the first quarter, the Red Raiders put the clamp down on Texas State forcing four turnovers, and converting each into a score.
"I was proud of our kids with the way that they stayed the course," defensive coordinator Chad Glasgow said. "They played hard and we ended up making a few plays."
Meanwhile the Red Raiders received record-breaking performances on the offensive side of the ball. Not only did Stephens eclipse the 1,000-yard rushing mark for his career, but wide receiver Darrin Moore had one of the most prolific season openers of any Texas Tech receiver in school history.
The junior receiver caught 12 passes Saturday night for 221 yards and one touchdown. The 221 yards were the most by a receiver in school history in a season opener.
"I felt like I did pretty good minus the couple of fumbles," Moore said. "I got a lot of man coverage, so [Seth] Doege was able to put the ball up, and I was able to go make some plays."
Following the late third quarter 46-yard burst by Stephens, who finished the game with 126 yards on the night, the Red Raiders recovered a fumble and took just 1:26 to find themselves back in the end zone. Texas Tech then scored three more times to run the Bobcats out of Jones AT&T Stadium while securing their first victory of the season.
First-year starting quarterback Seth Doege finished the game going 23-33 for 326 yards and tossed three touchdown passes.
"[It was] a good confidence builder," Tuberville said. "Knowing that we got behind, we were behind for two-and-half quarters and then came back and won by 40. That goes to show you the patience and playing hard, and the capabilities that we have."
