The 2010 Texas Tech Red Raiders football team represented Texas Tech University as a member of the Big 12 Conference during the 2010 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Led by first-year head coach Tommy Tuberville, the Red Raiders compiled and overall record of 8–5 with a mark of 3–5 in conference play, placing fifth in the Big 12's South Division. Texas Tech was invited to the inaugural TicketCity Bowl, where they defeated Northwestern, 45–38. The team played home games at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas
Pre-season 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 redshirt 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 team's 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 receiver's 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.
Recruiting
Award watch lists Baron Batch – Doak Walker Award Brian Duncan – Butkus Award, Lott Trophy, Bronko Nagurski Trophy Detron Lewis – Biletnikoff Award Taylor Potts – Davey O'Brien Award
Personnel
Coaching staff Name Position Years at Texas Tech Alma mater Tommy Tuberville Head coach 1 Southern Arkansas University Neal Brown Offensive coordinator 1 University of Massachusetts Amherst James Willis Defensive coordinator 1 Auburn University Sonny Cumbie Inside Receivers 1 Texas Tech University Tommy Mainord Outside Receivers 1 Tarleton State University Sam McElroy Defensive line 1 Southwest Texas State University Matt Moore Offensive line 4 Valdosta State University Robert Prunty Defensive ends and Outside Linebackers 1 Alabama A&M University Travaris Robinson Secondary 1 Auburn University Chad Scott Running backs 1 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Joe Walker Head strength and conditioning coach 1 Auburn University
Roster
Center 73 Justin Keown – Junior
Cornerback 5 Tre’ Porter – Freshman 31 Eugene Neboh – Sophomore
Deep Snapper 52 Alex Chester – Freshman 60 Jesse Smitherman – Junior
Defensive back 2 Urell Johnson – Freshman 7 Will Ford – Sophomore 12 D.J. Johnson – Sophomore 17 Terrence Griffin – Junior 19 Giorgio Durham – Junior 21 Jarvis Phillips – Freshman 22 Jared Flannel – Junior 24 Corey Lee – Sophomore 25 Darius Pipkins – Freshman 28 LaRon Moore – Senior 33 Don Hursey – Freshman 34 Sawyer Vest – Junior 35 Arlan Waller – Sophomore 36 Nubian Peak – Freshman
Defensive end 40 Aundrey Barr – Freshman 46 Christopher Knighton – Freshman 50 Jackson Richards – Freshman 54 Dartwan Bush – Freshman 57 Brian Duncan – Senior 87 Travis Malone – Sophomore 91 Kerry Hyder – Freshman 94 Scott Smith – Junior
Defensive lineman 37 Demetric Lee – Sophomore 79 Femi Awe – Freshman 83 Omar Ontiveros – Freshman 90 David Neill – Junior 93 Colby Whitlock – Senior 99 Chris Perry – Junior
Defensive tackle 47 Myles Wade – Junior 61 Bobbie Agoucha – Junior 76 Cody Rogers – Freshman 77 Coby Coleman – Freshman 92 Lawrence Rumph – Junior 95 Pearlie Graves – Freshman 97 Britton Barbee – Senior 98 Donald Langley – Junior Inside receiver 2 Cornelius Douglas – Sophomore 6 Austin Zouzalik – Sophomore 11 Tramain Swindall – Junior 17 Detron Lewis – Senior 82 Adam James – Junior 83 Blake Kelley – Senior
Kicker 49 Donnie Carona – Junior
Linebacker 13 Julius Howard – Senior 18 Tanner Foster – Sophomore 20 Bront Bird – Senior 23 Dion Chidozie – Freshman 27 Zach Winbush – Freshman 29 Michael Aguilar – Senior 41 Sam Fehoko – Junior 42 Daniel Cobb – Freshman 45 Tyrone Sonier – Junior 51 Cqulin Hubert – Freshman 53 Joe Carmical – Freshman 56 Jonathan Brydon – Senior 58 Tahrick Peak – Freshman
Offensive lineman 59 Joel Gray – Freshman 61 Jonathan Guerra – Junior 64 Alex Dubois – Freshman 65 LaAdrian Waddle – Sophomore 66 Deveric Gallington – Sophomore 68 Terry McDaniel – Sophomore 69 Matt Scott – Freshman 70 Chris Olson – Senior 71 Kyle Clark – Freshman 72 Beau Carpenter – Freshman 74 Mickey Okafor – Junior 75 Blake Emert – Junior 78 Lonnie Edwards – Junior
Offensive tackle 63 James Polk – Freshman
Placekicker 40 Jeremy Elder – Freshman 45 Kramer Fyfe – Freshman 84 Bradley Hicks – Junior 85 Matt Williams – Senior
Punter 9 Jonathan LaCour – Junior 43 Ryan Erxleben – Sophomore Quarterback 1 Steven Sheffield – Senior 3 Jacob Karam – Freshman 7 Seth Doege – Sophomore 12 Taylor Potts – Senior 15 Scotty Young – Freshman 16 Brant Costilla – Freshman
Running back 10 Harrison Jeffers – Sophomore 20 Josh Talbott – Freshman 24 Eric Stephens – Sophomore 25 Baron Batch – Senior 31 Tim Graves – Freshman 32 Aaron Crawford – Junior 36 Gerardo Acevedo – Senior 37 Andre McCorkle – Senior
Safety 1 Terrance Bullitt – Freshman 14 Desmond Martin – Freshman 16 Cody Davis – Sophomore 26 Franklin Mitchem – Senior 29 Russell Polk – Freshman 30 Brett Dewhurst – Junior 32 Blake Gower – Freshman 38 Jordan Osborne – Sophomore 39 Matt Bonano – Junior
Tight end 33 Bo Whitney – Freshman 48 Ryan Haliburton – Sophomore 89 Tony Trahan – Sophomore
Wide receiver 4 Derrick Mays – Freshman 8 Jacoby Franks – Junior 13 Ernest "E.J." Celestie – Freshman 14 Darrin Moore – Sophomore 18 Eric Ward – Freshman 19 Lyle Leong – Senior 22 Ty Taylor – Freshman 23 Brett Hume – Freshman 26 Nick Cheesman – Freshman 27 Kevin Thornton – Freshman 28 Brent Mitcham – Freshman 80 Trey Ozee – Freshman 86 Alex Torres – Sophomore 87 Aaron Fisher – Freshman 88 Shawn Corker – Freshman 88 Desmond Haynes – Sophomore
Schedule
Game summaries
SMU
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 kickoff, 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 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 Albuquerque. 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 kickoff. 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.