Today’s Texas Tech Football practice report is filed by 1340 The Fan’s Rob Brennan

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Lubbock, TX (1340TheFan.com) — Senior running back Eric Stephens is showing positive signs that he is recovering from a torn ACL in his left knee.  This morning the Red Raiders held another scrimmage where Stephens started to cut and run like his old self.

"I get better everyday, at the beginning of camp I was slow at cutting," said Stephens.

Stephens, who suffered an ACL tear last season against Texas A&M (pictured), had a run of 25 yards in the second offensive series for the first team offense, and later in the scrimmage had a run of 58 yards before being pulled down inside the ten yard line by DJ Johnson.

"He'd never been the burner that some of the guys are, he hit that hole and looked like the old Eric Stephens," said head coach Tommy Tuberville.  "It was a good confidence builder for him."

Stephens averaged 113 yards per game a season ago.  This year, 1,000 yards is a reachable goal, Stephens 2011 season ended with 565 rushing yards and eight touchdown.

"When I first got hurt I didn't know what to expect.  This was the first time I had an injury to this extent, I've hoped for the best and its worked out," Stephens said.  "It was a blessing to get out here and get a couple weeks in before an actual game."

As for not being the quickest running back in camp, Stephens laughed off the question that if he had the same type of 58-yard run he had today against Northwestern State, would he get caught?

"I hope not, that would be embarrassing because it's a real team," said Stephens.  "I got to zig-zag or something to find a way to get into the endzone."

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