Tech Outlasts "Miner" Troubles
By: Raiderpower.com/David Collier
Updated: September 11, 2007
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The following was provided by Raiderpower.com
After a shaky start during the 1st half, the Red Raiders stormed back to beat the UTEP Miners 45-31. Tech headed into the locker room 28-17 at half, but came out of the locker room ready to play and outscored UTEP 28 to 3 in the 2nd half.
Tech forced the Miners to punt on the first possession and then scored on their first drive of the game, but both the offense and defense looked off kilter for most after that.
“We didn’t tackle very well [in the first half.],” said Texas Tech defensive coordinator Lyle Setencich. “We had a lot of problems getting lined up. We didn’t call any different plays in the 2nd half, we just played better.”
2 fumbles and a series of penalties in the first half prevented Tech’s O from making much progress, but Tech was able to rally toward the end of the 2nd quarter to score a field goal.
Harrell and his receivers got on the same page at halftime, and Graham finished the game with 484 yards and 4 TD’s. Michael Crabtree ended the game with 15 receptions for 188 yards and 2 TD’s.
Crabtree has lived up to the hype and has been very impressive throughout the first 2 games.
“[Crabtree] has a quality that you would like all football players to have,” said head coach Mike Leach. “He loves to be on the field. He’s probably not happy the game is over. He probably wishes we played tomorrow. He has great excitement about him and just loves to play.”
The defense was also able to keep the Miners out of the endzone during the entire second half. They also forced a fumble late in the 4th to end any hope of the Miners making a comeback.
Overall, Tech was able to come out with a win, but it definitely wasn’t the cakewalk many of the Red Raider faithful were expecting. Once the offense got on the same page, Graham was able to find the open man and throw for big
