Big plays by defense pave way for upset
By Jeff Walker | AVALANCHE-JOURNAL
Mike Crabtree and Graham Harrell will get the highlights, but No. 7 Texas Tech would not have been in position to knock off No. 1 Texas without the play of the defense.
The Red Raiders’ defense came out and delivered a crushing punch to the Longhorns early, allowing Tech to get off to a solid start and gain momentum that carried into the fourth quarter.
Texas Tech's Daniel Charbonnet celebrates his touchdown off an interception against Texas' Colt McCoy.
Jonathan LaCour planted a perfect punt that was covered by Taylor Charbonnet following Tech’s opening possession, setting up the Longhorns on their own 2-yard line.
On Texas’ first play from scrimmage, Colby Whitlock broke loose and tackled Chris Ogbonnaya in the end zone for the Red Raiders’ first safety since last year against Northwestern State. That safety, though, was a punt that sailed out of the end zone.
Whitlock finished with a team-high eight tackles, two for a loss.
After getting the free kick, Tech drove to the Texas 12 before Matt Williams converted a 29-yard field goal.
Tech held the lead until the 1:29 mark of the fourth quarter.
While the defense gave up some big plays in the fourth quarter, they set the tempo early by pressuring UT quarterback Colt McCoy and holding the Longhorns’ offense at bay.
The Longhorns’ offensive line hadn’t allowed McCoy to get sacked more than twice in a game this season. The Red Raiders registered back-to-back sacks in the first quarter.
Brandon Williams picked up his first of two sacks before Marlon Williams got to McCoy on a third-down play that forced Texas to punt.
“I think our D-line did a really good job,” Tech head coach Mike Leach said. “(Texas) hit some big plays, obviously, but (McCoy’s) a really good player. They have good backs and good receivers.
“I felt we took a half away from (McCoy). We didn’t take the whole game, but we did take a half. I thought that helped.”
The Red Raiders’ offense built a 19-0 lead to that point, but the defense still managed to make big plays in the second half.
As the Longhorns were beginning to make a comeback, Daniel Charbonnet intercepted a pass and took it 18 yards into the end zone to increase Tech’s lead to 29-13 at the 7:33 mark of the third quarter.
“Charbonnet leads the nation in interceptions,” Leach said. “I don’t know if he does, but he leads our team. I think that’s impressive.”
Charbonnet also finished with a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and a pass breakup.
The Red Raiders finished with four sacks — two by Brandon Williams, one each by Marlon Williams and Daniel Howard. Tech also finished with eight tackles for loss.
To comment on this story:
jeff.walker@lubbockonline.com 766-8735
terry.greenberg@lubbockonline.com 766-8700
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THAT WAS THE MOST dominating game the tech defense has ever played in the last 10 yrs. they made a statement.
thats the defense we have been waiting for so long here at tech…
Great Game…. now OKST comes to town…. its time to focus……on the cowboys….
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Haven’t seen that kind of night from the Defense since the days of Zach Thomas.
Wreck em tech!
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I agree…best defense I’ve seen since the days when I was at Tech with Zach Thomas! I love my Red Raiders and I am sooooo proud of our defense! Yes, Graham and Michael and the offense will get most of the credit, but without this amazing Red Raider D – the score may have been a bit different! WAY TO GO DEFENSE!
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Kudos to the entire team, but the defense set the tone for the entire game with the safety on the horns’ first possession. So many contributed and I have never felt more excited than I do right now about being a RAIDER! We need that same defense with that same intensity and hunger for the remainder of the season. Nice job Coach Ruff!
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Great defenses prevent Offenses from driving for a go-ahead TD with less than 2 minutes left in the game.
They played tremendously for most of the game, but as I have asked several times, and cannot get an answer: why abandon the 4 man Defensive front (that worked very well) for the 3 man front that almost allowed ut to win the game? (I didn’t see ut’s O doing anything that warranted the change,)
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i loved this game and i dont think alot of people thought about how huge that safety was but it totally took the spirit out of the longhorn for the entire first half. now lets focus step up our gameplay – i no tt can play better than last night- and beat okie state otherwise this game and our #2 ranking wont mean a thing
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If I’m not mistaken I believe with Brandon Williams 2 sacks that should make him all time leader in the big 12 in sacks 10 total? I will have to say Brandon and M.Dixon compliments each other well in the game. WRECK’EM TECH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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The Tech defense was awesome! I give them an A- only because they wore down a little in the second half because they were out there most of the 3rd quarter. Great job Ruff! They need to and I hope they bring their A+ game this week!!! Statistically, Oklahoma State is the most balanced offensive team in the country… only team to average more than 200 yards/game rushing and passing… Most people would call me crazy, but this game coming up could be more difficult than the UT game.. I hope the crowd and team is just as high and pretends like this is a rivalry game and wreck Okie state..
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2 Words – Jamar Wall – without the field position on the punt return who knows what would have happened. I hope he got a Helmet sticker a really Big one
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