LUBBOCK, Texas -- Lyle Leong helped spark Texas Tech's Alamo Bowl comeback against Michigan State with a 43-yard catch on third-and-12 and the Red Raiders trailing by four midway through the fourth quarter. That eventually set up the Red Raiders' go-ahead touchdown that put Tech up for good.

It looks like he's parlayed his strong finish (nine catches, 116 yards, TD in his final two games) into a great start in 2010, with two touchdown catches to put Texas Tech up 14-0.

He hauled in a perfect fade pass from Taylor Potts in the back left corner of the end zone at the end of the first quarter and caught his second touchdown on the next possession, dragging across the back of the end zone underneath the south goalpost in front of the student section.

Leong caught 45 passes for 571 yards and nine touchdowns last season.

As for June Jones' high-flying offense, Tommy Tuberville's new-look defense has taken the upper hand, which has to be encouraging to fans who listened to Tuberville talk about the shift in philosophy all spring and summer. SMU has the ability to break the big play, but Texas Tech has prevented it thus far, limiting the Mustangs to just two first downs and 63 total yards on 16 plays, including 0-for-4 on third downs.