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Louis Ojeda, Jr.
FOXSportsSouthwest.com
Texas Tech fans saw something they haven't seen in a long time -- a little bit of defense.
The Red Raiders were first in the Big 12 to kickoff spring football as the Black team outscored the Red 25-19 Saturday afternoon.
After suffering their first losing season in 20 years, does this team look good enough to get back in a bowl?
QUARTERBACK CONTROVERSY?
Senior quarterback Seth Doege will likely keep his starting job in 2012, but redshirt freshman Michael Brewer was impressive in his starting spring debut.
The highly recruited quarterback out of Austin Lake Travis caught fire early in the second half, leading the Black team to back-to-back touchdown drives. Despite playing against the second-team defense, he showcased his big playmaking ability. He finished 21 of 28 for 297 with two touchdowns and no interceptions.
With the departures of former backups Scotty Young and Jacob Karam, it's clear Brewer is the Tech quarterback of the future. Expect to see him sporadically this fall as head coach Tommy Tuberville will likely take advantage of his ability to run.
Doege led the first-team offense on a six-play scoring drive on the opening possession. He finished 25 of 39 for 217 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception and a rushing score.
STILL THROWING
Tuberville still wants a more balanced attack, but the offenses continued to put plenty of passes in the air.
Marcus Kennard hauled in an 18-yard touchdown from Doege on the opening drive for the first of his two scores. The explosive play of the day was a 62-yard screen pass from Brewer to Javon Bell that set up the Black team in the red zone. Jordan Davis also had a 52-yard reception and Aaron Fisher caught a 10-yard fade from Brewer in the second half.
Riverside, Calif. C.C transfer SaDale Foster was the leading rusher with 70 yards, but Ronnie Daniels was the only running back to get in the end zone.
SOMETHING NEW
Another year and another new defense in Lubbock. The Red Raiders tried the 3-4 and 4-2-5 but now it's the 4-3. After finishing near the bottom in every category last season, Tuberville wanted some familiarity to turn things around and hired his former Ole Miss defensive coordinator Art Kaufman.
The defensive star of the afternoon was another Riverside, Calif. C.C. transfer -- linebacker Will Smith. He picked off Doege in the first half and finished with a team-high six tackles.
The defense also tallied nine total (touch) sacks - five on Doege, three on Brewer and one on walkon Brant Costilla.
SITTING OUT
The spring game offense will not be the same as the one that will take the field in the fall.
Wide receivers Alex Torres, Eric Ward and running back DeAndre Washington were out with injuries. Running back Kenny Williams and tight end Jace Amaro did not participate due to off the field issues.
Running back Eric Stephens was on the sidelines still recovering from a dislocated knee suffered against Texas A&M last season and no word if he will return this fall. Stephens was on-pace to become Tech's first 1,000-yard rusher since 1998 before the injury.
NEW KICKS
Texas Tech kickers Ryan Bustin and Kramer Fyfe stepped up to the plate for the first time. Bustin was 3 for 4 on field goal attempts, while Fyfe had issues with extra points with three failed tries-- two misses and one bad snap.
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