LUBBOCK, Texas -- Definitely a nice win for Texas Tech against a pretty good SMU team that won eight games -- including a 45-10 bowl win -- last season. Texas Tech shut down Kyle Padron when they needed to, despite letting the game get sloppy late. SMU was driving, but never seriously threatened to score on the final drive.

How the game was won: Texas Tech won the turnover battle convincingly, 4-1. One first-half turnover turned into a Texas Tech touchdown, and the Red Raiders led 21-7 at halftime.

Turning point: Texas Tech let SMU get on the board with an impressive 12-play, 72-yard drive that brought the Mustangs to within seven. But the Red Raiders responded with a speedy six-play drive to make it 21-7 before half and scored on the opening drive of the second half to take a 21-point lead.

Stat of the game: Texas Tech's trainers said the temperature read 148 degrees on the turf at AT&T Jones Stadium during Sunday's game. While it wasn't nearly as hot in the stands, the nearly triple-digit heat in Lubbock on Sunday meant a few seats in the stadium were left empty for the second half.

Player of the game: Taylor Potts, QB, Texas Tech. Potts held off an encore of "No More Potts" with a solid performance, shaking off a few early kinks to finish with 359 yards on 34-of-53 passing and three touchdowns.

Unsung hero of the game: Cody Davis, S, Texas Tech. Davis delivered a few big hits in the secondary and on several occasions, flew up into the box to deliver a big hit in run support.

Record performance: Lyle Leong, WR, Texas Tech. The Red Raider receiver registered career highs in yards (142), receptions (11) and tied his career high in touchdowns (3).

Record performance II: SMU kicker Matt Szymanski booted a school-record 61-yard field goal in the fourth quarter that brought SMU to within 15.