Takeaways: Kliff Kingsbury, David Gibbs preview Stephen F. Austin

Texas Tech head coach Kliff Kingsbury and defensive coordinator David Gibbs previewed the Red Raiders' season-opener on the Red Raider Football with Kliff Kingsbury radio program on Thursday evening.

... Kingsbury: "The first game is always a little nerve-wracking because you don't know exactly where you're at. You think you know, but you don't know for sure."

... Kingsbury said the Red Raiders' team chemistry is the best that it has been since he's been the program's head coach. "If someone screws up, the locker room is handling it."

... Kingsbury said the LSU matchup in the Texas Bowl was a good way to see how Texas Tech stood as a program and where it needs to improve.

... Kingsbury said the defensive players are "playing as well" as they have since he's been on campus.

... "We have some talent in that room, not just Pat (Mahomes). Nic Shimonek has really come on as the backup." Kingsbury also said that Jett Duffey had a good performance during Thursday's practice.

... Kingsbury said Mahomes' improvement from this point last year to now is "night and day."

... Kingsbury said the Red Raiders' receiving corps is the deepest group of receivers he's ever had as a coach. He also noted that the team's offensive line is bigger, faster, stronger and more physical than it has been in years past.

... "We're loaded at wideout."

... Of the freshmen on campus, Kingsbury said he has been the most impressive with the defensive line. He praised defensive line coach Kevin Patrick for having those young players "playing at a high level" so far.

... Kingsbury said Joseph Wallace will play Saturday.

... Kingsbury said his comfort-level now as head coach compared to his first year is "night and day" different.

... Kingsbury on Shimonek: "I just love how hard he's work to develop in our system." [...] "He's become a bona fide, legit Division I quarterback."

... Kingsbury's TV update: He's looking forward to the second season of 'Narcos.' His favorite 'Stranger Things' character was Eleven. "I liked that character."

... Kingsbury said he took some scheduling, pre-practice and motivational tips from his offseason visits to Denver Broncos and Miami Dolphins camps.

... Kingsbury on watching his former quarterbacks play: "I know people think, have made a big deal out of a couple of them, but I love watching players that I've worked with have success."

... Kingsbury said that Gary Moore was the most improved player on defense this offseason. "He's really improved his physicality, he's gotten bigger. He's a dynamic pass rusher for us up front."

... Kingsbury on opening the program up to FBS transfers: "We make sure we know about them inside and out. [...] The vetting process is very detailed now based on some things that have happened around the country."

... Kingsbury said the team didn't practice on Wednesday due to weather. He said the Stephen F. Austin gameplan has been in place for "a few weeks," so it shouldn't impact Saturday's game.

... Nine practices this month have been impacted due to weather.

... Stephen F. Austin "is a solid team" that "won't be experienced" by the atmosphere.

... "We try to do a simulated game week about two weeks out."

... Kingsbury said that Devin Lauderdale has been "a model citizen" throughout the summer, "practiced harder" and been a good "role model" for the younger players. Kingsbury said he "could not be prouder" of Lauderdale. "It did not look good for Devin but he's turned it around."

... Gibbs: "We're very excited. Obviously, last year wasn't good enough."

... "We signed 14 new defensive players, 13 of which are high school and one junior college kid on defense. We're expecting big things from all of them - whether it's scout team, starting or playing 10-20 plays."

... Gibbs said they put a lot of emphasis on tackling over the offseason.

... Gibbs said there is a renewed focus on evaluating the tackling ability of recruits.

... "We're excited about the future. We'll keep coaching them and we'll get there."

... Gibbs said the team has been allowed to tackle more in live action during camp.

... Gibbs on the impact of Rusty Whitt: "I'll be shocked if we fade in the fourth quarter in any football game this year, whether we're playing Stephen F. Austin or Oklahoma."

... Gibbs said that Ondre Pipkins is as big and athletic as any nose guard in the Big 12. "He'll have a great year for us. Knock on wood, hope he stays healthy."

... Gibbs said that Kolin Hill is one of the defense's better players. "His name will be known by the time he leaves Texas Tech."

... "D.J. (Polite-Bray) is a prototype corner, other than the fact that he's never played corner before. Just a small problem we have in the evaluation process. [...] The kid has continued to work, continued to take care of his academics, he's grown up, he's matured a lot. [...] I'm excited to watch him."

... "Broderick (Washington) was my biggest surprise in the spring. [...] He's a tough, physical kid."

... Gibbs expects to play somewhere between 10-12 defensive linemen on Saturday.