Lubbock, Texas ? Two things have been certain at Texas Tech the past three years: The Red Raiders will lead the nation in passing, and they’ll be among the worst in defense.

While it’s business as usual for the offense this season — 515 yards and 39 points a game — Tech suddenly has rediscovered defense.

Tech (4-2, 2-1 Big 12) ranks seventh in the Big 12 Conference and 40th nationally in defense, giving up 326 yards per game. And the Red Raiders are giving up just 24 points a game.

That’s quite an improvement over last season, when the defense finished 106th in the nation out of 117 teams at 453 yards per game and allowed 34 points a game.

“Last year we had to coach them to play hard, which they didn’t do,” defensive coordinator Lyle Setencich said. “Now they’re playing harder than they did so we can spend more on technique and recognition of what offenses do, try to do and how they do it.”

The problems last year were nothing new. Tech ranked 86th in defense in 2002 and 50th in 2001. The Red Raiders allowed 28 points a game over that span.

This year the Red Raiders are looking more like the 2000 team in coach Mike Leach’s first season, when they were ranked 24th nationally and gave up 320 yards a game.

Their best showing came Oct. 9 in a 70-10 win over Nebraska, the worst loss in the Cornhuskers’ history. Tech’s defense forced seven turnovers — two fumbles and five interceptions.

“It’s a huge boost for us to see the defense playing the way they are,” said Tech quarterback Sonny Cumbie, who leads the nation in passing with 420 yards per game. “The offense didn’t score 70 points alone. A lot of it was a direct result of how well the defense played.”

It was second time this season Tech scored 70 points. The Red Raiders beat TCU, 70-35, in September in a game that marked a defensive turning point of sorts.

TCU moved the ball easily and quickly went up 21-0, but then Tech scored 56 straight points and kept the Horned Frogs from getting a first down on seven straight series.

While they’re still hoping to improve on their 40th ranking, Tech players remember how far they’ve come.

“It’s better than 100,” defensive end Adell Duckett said.

Tech will play No. 8 Texas today in Lubbock.