FOOTBALL

Texas Tech-SFA: How They Match Up

Don Williams
Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
Texas Tech safeties Eric Monroe (11) and Reggie Pearson (22) each had an interception during the Red Raiders' 38-21 victory last week against Houston in a season opener at NRG Stadium.

Texas Tech will try to keep alive a 21-season streak of winning home openers when the Red Raiders host FCS opponent Stephen F. Austin at 6 p.m. Saturday. 

In season openers last week, Tech beat Houston 38-21 after overcoming a 21-7 deficit and SFA downed Tarleton State 20-10 after spotting the Texans the game's first 10 points. The latter also was a Western Athletic Conference game, the conference's first since it stopped sponsoring football after the 2012 season. 

Here is how the Red Raiders and the Lumberjacks match up:

When SFA passes

Senior QB Trae Self was a 2,000-yard passer in 2020 and the WAC offensive player of the week last week after going 18 of 26 for 235 yards, plus 40 yards rushing. He'll have to be careful against a Tech defense that intercepted four passes last week, a 13-season single-game high. LB Riko Jeffers returned one of the interceptions for a touchdown, and DBs Reggie Pearson, Eric Monroe and Adrian Frye had the others. Now they must keep track of WR Xavier Gipson, a 5-9, 170-pound junior who caught 52 passes for 841 yards and nine touchdowns during a 10-game 2020 season and 52 passes for 934 yards and eight TDs the year before. Advantage: Texas Tech

When SFA runs

RB Miles "Bam Bam" Reed was a 1,600-yard rusher in three years at Hawaii, including a 908-yard season in 2019. He transferred and made his SFA debut last week with 19 carries for 71 yards. The Lumberjacks also can hand it to either of last year's top two rushers, RB Jaquarion Turner (132-541-3 in 2020) or former Texas Tech RB Da'Leon Ward (56-265-3). Tech limited Houston to 77 yards rushing with its linebackers playing a key role. Colin Schooler had 10 tackles, including two tackles for loss, and Krishon Merriweather got credit for seven tackles, including 1 1/2 behind the line. Advantage: Texas Tech 

When Tech passes

Tech WR Erik Ezukanma dominated against Houston, catching seven passes for 179 yards. Whether turning short screens into big yardage or overpowering smaller corners on deep throws, he gave new QB Tyler Shough an immediate favorite target. Shough finished 17 of 24 for 231 yards, but was sacked three times and hurried on other throws. OTs Caleb Rogers and T.J. Storment have to ward off former Baylor DE B.J. Thompson, who led the Lumberjacks with 8 1/2 tackles for loss and six sacks last season. SFA led the FCS with 14 interceptions last season, a team-high three coming from CB Bruce Harmon. Returning CBs Willie Roberts and Myles Brooks had six and five pass breakups, respectively. Advantage: Texas Tech

When Tech runs

While Tech awaits the comeback of two-time rushing leader SaRodorick Thompson from shoulder surgery, RB Tahj Brooks minimized his absence in the opener with 14 carries, 135 yards and two long touchdowns. Speed back Xavier White has fumbled deep in opponent territory two games in a row dating to the 2020 regular-season finale, but atoned for it last week with a game-clinching touchdown reception. LB Brevin Randle and SS Tkai Lloyd were SFA's top two tacklers last season. The Lumberjacks led the FCS with 23 turnovers gained last season, helped by three caused fumbles by SS Myles Heard, the team's third-leading tackler who also returns. Advantage: Texas Tech

Special teams

Both teams had stellar performance from their punt teams last week. SFA P Max Quick was WAC special teams player of the week, averaging 48.2 yards on four punts. Tech P Austin McNamara averaged 46.0 yards and the Red Raiders bottled up Houston PR Marcus Jones, last year's FBS leader in return average. SFA had two punt-return TDs last year, one by WR Xavier GipsonSFA K Chris Campos has made 15 of 21 field goals since the beginning of last season, including 2 of 2 last week. Tech K Jonathan Garibay's 34-yard field goal at Houston made him 9 of 12 since he took over three games from the end of the 2020 season. Advantage: Texas Tech