Tech returns to SMU for first time since angry ending in '04

 

Matchup
	W-L	PF	PA	HOME	ROAD	DIV	CONF
TTU	1-0	49	9	0-0	1-0	0-0	0-0
SMU	0-1	9	49	0-1	0-0	0-0	0-0
· Complete Standings

Record When Scoring... (Since 2001)
	20 OR MORE	30 OR MORE	40 OR MORE	50 OR MORE
TTU	48-15-0	43-7-0	32-3-0	18-0-0
SMU	21-10-0	13-1-0	6-0-0	1-0-0
	LESS THAN 20	LESS THAN 30	LESS THAN 40	LESS THAN 50
TTU	1-12-0	6-20-0	17-24-0	31-27-0
SMU	0-38-0	8-47-0	15-48-0	20-48-0

TEAM AVERAGES & NCAA RANKS
OFFENSE	TM	PER GAME AVERAGE / NCAA RANK
Total Yards	TTU	441.0 / 21st
	SMU	423.4 / 34th
Passing Yards	TTU	436.0 / 2nd
	SMU	269.2 / 40th
Rushing Yards	TTU	34.0 / 58th
	SMU	171.3 / 39th
Points Scored	TTU	31.0 / 3rd
	SMU	28.3 / 57th
Full Team Stats: Texas Tech | Southern Methodist

Individual Leaders

Texas Tech Passing   CMP% YDS TD INT Potts 65.7 3440 22 13 Sheffi... 74.3 1219 14 4

Southern Methodist Passing   CMP% YDS TD INT Padron 67.2 1922 10 4 Mitche... 56.0 1725 12 10

Texas Tech Rushing   CAR YDS AVG TD Batch 168 884 5.3 14 Stephe... 49 254 5.2 2

Southern Methodist Rushing   CAR YDS AVG TD McNeal 236 1188 5.0 12 Line 49 189 3.9 7

Texas Tech Receiving   REC YDS AVG TD Lewis 65 844 13.0 6 Torres 67 806 12.0 6

Southern Methodist Receiving   REC YDS AVG TD Sander... 98 1339 13.7 7 Robins... 47 800 17.0 5

Full Player Stats: Texas Tech | Southern Methodist

DALLAS (AP) -- The last time Texas Tech visited SMU, the game ended not with the usual handshake between coaches but with a lecture about end-of-game etiquette.

Mustangs coach Phil Bennett was perturbed that the Red Raiders ran two plays in the closing seconds, including a pass into the end zone, instead of taking a knee and sealing a 14-point win.

When time expired, Bennett let Tech coach Mike Leach know how he felt. His anger carried over to his players and there was plenty of pushing and shoving as the teams left the field.

Leach won't need any extra security when his Red Raiders arrive back on SMU's campus Monday. He and Bennett settled their differences before his team even left the stadium back in 2004 and returned to being friends.

"He's one of my favorite guys in coaching, contrary to popular belief, and always has been," Leach said. "He's one of the few that I talk to on the phone."

Bennett hasn't changed his opinion about what happened three years ago, but he's got a lot of other things on his mind going into this season, his sixth at SMU.

The Mustangs still haven't been to a bowl since coming off the death penalty in 1989, but they came close last year, winning six games for only the second time since their resurrection. Hopes are high that this is the year as SMU has a returning quarterback for the first time in Bennett's tenure; better yet, Justin Willis also might be the most-polished quarterback the Ponies have had in years.

Between fired-up Mustangs fans and Tech's large alumni base in Dallas, the stadium should be packed on Labor Day afternoon.

"I think the atmosphere is going to be outstanding," Bennett said. "It's going to be on national TV (ESPN) on a national holiday. We haven't had that here. It's a new feel for us. My guys are excited about the opportunity and I think they'll come ready to play."

SMU could be catching Tech at just the right time.

While the Red Raiders also have a rare returning starter at quarterback in Graham Harrell, they're breaking in a new receiving corps and have to replace most of their best defensive players from last year. By all accounts, Leach is going to have to do one of his most creative coaching jobs to keep the Red Raiders afloat in the Big 12.

"A lot of guys are stepping up to fill holes left from last year's team," linebacker Ty Linder said. "I feel like this defense is going to make a statement on what we can do."

Tech has beaten SMU 11 straight times, but the last two trips in Dallas were tight. The '04 game was tied at 6 midway through the third quarter before the Red Raiders won 27-13.

Tech won 35-3 at home last year in what the Mustangs remember as Willis' debut. He overcame that bad start to become the Conference USA freshman of the year.

"Last year when he played us he looked like he was still emerging and streaky at times, but I thought he looked impressive," Leach said. "I think he's a really good player and a more accurate guy. He selects when to run and when to throw. Not the best, but one of the better ones in the state."

One of Tech's defensive backs has been scouting Willis for years. Jamar Wall is Willis' cousin and lately they've been trash talking via text messages.