Red Raiders at a glance

2001 schedule Sept. 8 vs. New Mexico Sept. 15 at UTEP Sept. 22 at North Texas Sept. 29 at Texas Oct. 6 vs. Kansas Oct. 13 vs. Kansas St. Oct. 20 at Nebraska Oct. 27 at Baylor Nov. 3 vs. Texas A&M Nov. 10 at Oklahoma St. Nov. 17 vs. Oklahoma 2000 results (7-6, 3-5 Big 12) New Mexico W 24-3 Utah St. W 38-16 North Texas W 13-7 La Lafayette W 26-0 at Texas A&M L 33-15 Baylor W 28-0 Nebraska L 56-3 at Kansas State L 28-23 at Kansas W 45-39 Texas L 29-17 Oklahoma St. W 58-0 at Oklahoma L 27-13 vs. East Carolina L 40-27

OFFENSE
Now, with a year for QB Kliff Kingsbury to settle into the offense plus the anticipated improvement in the running game, opposing defensive coordinators will have some sleepless nights in preparation for the Red Raiders.

Kingsbury added weight and strength during the offseason, while RB Ricky Williams turned in a great spring. After suffering a major knee injury in '99, Williams used last season as a confidence-builder. While he finished as Tech's third-leading receiver with 54 catches, Williams averaged just 3.5 yards per carry. In '98, before the injury, he averaged 5.2 yards per carry and scored 13 touchdowns. This spring, Williams showed that he's ready to roll once again. Last season, the Red Raiders finished last in Big 12 rushing offense. While the run-and-shoot will still be utilized, Williams will be expected to provide much more as an effective change of pace.

The pass offense still features a pair of diminutive fliers in Carlos Francis and Jamall Broussard, but the Red Raiders have a developing group of bigger wideouts to create some matchup advantages. The two primary headliners are juco transfer Anton Paige (6-5, 218) and senior Darrell Jones (6-3, 200). The athletically gifted Paige, who has deceptive strength, garnered extremely favorable commentary in the spring.

The offensive line is anchored by sophomore Toby Cecil, with junior RT Rex Richards the top overall performer up front. G-T Jason May, a 6-4, 300-pound junior, also has the ability to make the grade as a quality starter if he can remain at full strength the entire campaign.

DEFENSE
The Red Raiders ranked fourth in the Big 12 in total defense but only return four starters from that unit. The returnees are spread out to cover every line of defense, and Leach brought in a number of juco transfers to help fill the defensive void.

Along the defensive line, the strength figures to be at DT with juniors Lamont Anderson and Robert Wyatt. Both rely on quickness, strength and leverage to get the job done, checking in at 6-1 and in the 295-to-300-pound range. Anderson, who played in the first three games last season before suffering an ankle injury, was limited early in the spring but came on as practices moved along.

The key performers on defense are junior MLB Lawrence Flugence and senior SS Kevin Curtis. The 6-1, 240-pound Flugence was the Big 12's leading tackler last season, recording an amazing 156 stops. Curtis is an all-over-the-field intimidator, finishing as the Red Raiders' second-leading tackler last season with 121 stops plus 15 tackles for loss. At OLB, talented junior Rusty Bucy has a chance to make his mark as one of the better players at his position in the Big 12.

Penciled in to join Curtis in the deep patrol are CBs C.J. Johnson and Eric Cooper, along with either B.J. Johnson or Paul McClendon at FS. Also in the mix during fall practice figure to be highly regarded juco transfers Ricky Sailor, Jose Hanson and Josh Rangel, along with talented freshman DeWayne Brandon.

SPECIAL TEAMS
As for the kicking game, punter Clinton Greathouse returns, but the kicking job is reportedly up for grabs.