Offensive tackle Mickey Okafor doesn't need statistics to know the Texas Tech running game is taking strides forward.
Under pass-happy head coach Mike Leach, an offensive lineman backpedaled more than most politicians.
Even on many of the running plays, the first step for Tech's front line was in reverse. So when Tommy Tuberville, who came from a more run-oriented SEC, the Red Raiders' offensive line literally headed in a new direction.
"We had to get used to hitting, coming off the ball again, instead of getting hit in a pass set," Okafor said. "We're delivering the punch now, and it feels good to do that and a lot of guys are excited about the running game."
By no means did the Red Raiders make a complete 180-degree turnaround, but their rushing totals nearly doubled (1,092 to 1,837) in the first year under Tuberville. Tech went from 12th in rushing to ninth last season among Big 12 teams.
Okafor, a second-team all-Big 12 performer in his first year as a starter, expects those numbers to improve now that the Red Raiders have had a year to regain their bearings.
"We even got down in three-point stances," Okafor said. "We hadn't got down in three-point stances in three years, since high school, and now it's three-point stance and teeing off the ball."
At 6-foot-6 and 305 pounds, Okafor, a senior, shouldn't have too much trouble moving forward after putting his hand in the dirt.
Nor should any of his linemates, all of whom started last season and are now accustomed to Tuberville's philosophy for moving the ball.
With a season under their belt, the Red Raiders plan to diversify the ground game, running out of "The Pistol," where the tailback lines up behind and the quarterback, who is about four yards behind the center.
"Of course the strength of our offense is our offensive line, which really got better in run blocking last year," Tuberville said. "We didn't have a tight end last year and people were able to gang up on our running game, so with a tight end and being able to run the ball, both sides, a little bit more complex offense I think is going to help us."
Featured back Eric Stephens will be the beneficiary of the continued effort to improve the ground game. He ran for 683 yards in 2010, averaging 5.3 yards per carry.
Tech still passed the ball on nearly 60 percent of it snaps last year, and Tuberville said he expects to throw the ball at least that much this season.
He's counting on the veteran line, which includes all-conference guard Lonnie Edwards, to protect his relatively green quarterback, junior Seth Doege.
"The good thing about Seth is he's got his offensive line back, they'll help protect him better," Tuberville said. "But what he's got to do is learn to get rid of the ball, don't take those hard licks and as the season goes on, have to work through those bumps and bruises."
Doege has thrown only 65 passes, completing 41, but has the benefit of taking the most snaps the past two spring camps because of injuries.
Okafor said the team has put the saga of Leach's release at the end of the 2009 season behind them. That doesn't stop him of thinking pass first, though.
"I think that we are prepared to protect Seth," Okafor said when asked about how good the line could be. "I think if we give him enough protection, he'll be able to reach his full potential early in on in the season, so when we get to conference, he'll be a lot better."
At least that is the plan with Tech having slipped from 5-3 (9-4 overall) to 3-5 (8-5) in the Big 12.
NOTES -- Terrance Bullitt, brother of Indianapolis Colts safety and former Texas A&M star Melvin Bullitt, will start in the secondary for the Red Raiders. Terrance Bullitt will play the same safety spot (nearer the line of scrimmage) that Melvin Bullitt gained notoriety at under defensive coordinator Gary Darnell's 4-2-5 system. ... Tech has to replace its leading passer, rusher and receiver in Taylor Potts, Baron Batch and Detron Lewis, a former A&M Consolidated receiver, who signed as a free agent with Tampa Bay but was waived on Monday.
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