After getting 19 touches in the season opener via 16 rushes and three receptions, running back Eric Stephens wasn’t as busy in game two at Texas State. Stephens carried six times for 62 yards, the highlight being a 46-yard run on third-and-5 from the Tech 6-yard line. He didn’t catch a pass.

Tech coach Tommy Tuberville said Stephens has had some soreness in his surgically repaired knee, which is to be expected.

“You’re not going to go through an injury like that and not have some soreness,” Tuberville said. “I’m just proud of where he’s at. He could get 10 carries this week. He could get five. He could get 20. It just depends on how things are going.”

Tuberville said Stephens will probably be given a couple of days off from practice next week before an open date, but he’ll still work out some to get ready for nine games in nine weeks after that.

“Put a saddle on him and ride him,” Tuberville said.