Lining Up: Big men up front pave the way for Red Raiders’ upset
By Don Williams | AVALANCHE-JOURNAL
It was known in advance that for Texas Tech to upset Texas, usual suspects Graham Harrell and Mike Crabtree might have to do something sensational. Their game-winning connection with one second left satisfied that requirement.
Texas Tech's Brandon Williams (84) sacs Texas quarterback Colt McCoy Saturday.Saturday, November 01, 2008. Photo by Geoffrey McAllister/Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
For the Red Raiders to be in that position, however, called for something not regularly seen from Tech in games against Texas – superior play from both lines. The Raiders, if they didn’t dominate the trenches in Saturday’s 39-33 victory at Jones AT&T Stadium, more than held their own.
“Offensively, they’re probably the biggest part of why we won,” Harrell said of his linemen.
UT, which entered with one of the highest sack totals in the nation (29), couldn’t keep Harrell from throwing for 474 yards – coincidentally, one more than Kliff Kingsbury threw for in Tech’s previous win against Texas, in 2002. Nor could the Longhorns keep Harrell from coolly completing five of six passes on the final drive – one in which he never used the team’s final timeout and hit Crabtree for a 28-yard TD.
Texas Tech's Mckiner Dixon (43) and Brian Duncan (57) pressure Texas quarterback Colt McCoy to pitch the ball out of bounds Saturday.Saturday, November 01, 2008. Photo by Geoffrey McAllister/Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
On the flip side, Tech’s defensive line sacked Colt McCoy four times and held Texas to 80 rushing yards – a 16-game low for the Longhorns. Contrast that to the last two years, when Texas rushed for a composite 510 yards against Tech.
McCoy, usually a skillful runner, finished with 16 yards rushing, his only big play run being for 27 yards.
“We knew we had to attack to try to control the run and, at the same time, you’ve got to control Colt,” said Ruffin McNeill, Tech’s defensive coordinator.
Though the caliber of competition was much improved, McNeill rotated 10 defensive linemen, much like he has all season, and all 10 had played by halftime. Defensive tackle Colby Whitlock, whose best career game had been last season at Texas, set a tone again Saturday with a tackle for a safety on the Longhorns’ first play.
Whitlock made a team-high eight tackles, two in the backfield, and end Brandon Williams had two sacks, giving him 10 for the season.
The Raiders played quite a few snaps, though not the majority, in a three-man front, backed by their “joker” pass rusher – Daniel Howard or Williams – and six defensive backs. They seldom blitzed McCoy, but didn’t need to with the job the front four did.
“I didn’t pressure him tonight always – I was thinking about this and that – but I felt good about our pressure from up front,” McNeill said. “Those guys were able to get to him. I was glad that happened. I was glad we were able to control the run game. I was very happy with the tone we set, to be honest.”
No happier than Harrell was with his offensive line.
Line coach Matt Moore said last week that Texas’ front four had been so proficient at getting pressure that defensive coordinator Will Muschamp had not had to risk a young secondary by sending blitzes.
In the first quarter against Tech, though, the Longhorns tried a variety of tactics.
“I don’t think anyone felt like if they just go straight up that they were going to beat our offensive line,” Harrell said. “Those guys are so good. So Texas did a good job trying to mix it up, showing us some things they hadn’t shown us, but our offensive line adjusted. They played great all night. They gave me time all night. We ran the ball well all night.”
Texas had been giving up only 69 yards a game on the ground, which ranked third nationally. Tech’s Shannon Woods and Baron Batch combined for 122 rushing yards.
Tech coach Mike Leach saw it much the same way as Harrell.
“They gave us more looks than they had anybody else all year,” Leach said. “Coming into this game, they really didn’t blitz very much. They blitzed a bunch early, which is out of character for them. They came out – and this hadn’t been on film – shuffled the front around, had them stand up and all that business.
“That’s one thing that I was really proud of with our guys. We were out of balance for a series or two, but I was really proud of our guys for regrouping and catching on to that.”
To comment on this story:
don.williams@lubbockonline.com 766-8734
jeff.walker@lubbockonline.com 766-8735
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Best team in America!
Gun Up!!!
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as a red raider in austin this week is sweet! but on the other hand it means nothing if we cant beat OSU and OU the next two weeks!
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Danm strait!!!
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They’ll get it done they know what to do.
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OK Tech, I was there and it was awesome. Now you have the nations attention. This week aginst OSU, show them what were made of. Fans, students and alumni: Make this game against Oklahoma just as rowdy, intense and supportive as the Texas game last weekend. Support with the same gusto we just showed. The nation is not only watching but they are now willing to support us if we can beat up on OSU. It will be suport for the University, Football team, BCS, Great fans, Alumni, Heisman Trophy, Student body, recruiting and everything else. They are now watching and observing with an attentive eye. SHOW THEM WE ARE FOR REAL!!!!
Wreck ‘em TECH
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Beat the Cowboys! Give ‘em hell!!!
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good job red raiders you rock
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Texas Tornado, after trash talking TECH now you like us? Are you so easily swayed? I would hate to have you as a Doctor! If you are even attending UTSA med school !
Way to go TECH!
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jdavis,
Fair enough, I suppose I deserved that. Like I already told others on a different thread, I said some stupid things that I shouldn’t have. I never hated Tech in the first place. In fact, Tech has replaced Texas A & M as the new in-state Texas rival. But, that said, I still view it has a friendly rival. As opposed to Oklahoma (Sooners), who I really dislike and thus consider them an unfriendly rival. Anyway, yes, I have to respect Tech for their impressive winning streak. And, believe it or not, I do hope that they will go on undefeated. In fact, I think they should be ranked number one by the BCS. I think they are the best team in the nation this year. Now, as for Texas, I think we’re better than Penn State; and, perhaps just as good as Alabama. So, I proudly continue to be a Horn fan and always will. But, I would also say that Tech is my second favorite college football team. And that’s why I’m cheering for them.
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hay good job fans and team you guys rocked the pace way to go 9 and 0 good job footbal team
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hay team good job fans and team you rocked the place wa to go 9 and 0
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Love the fact that our front 4 whipped the o line from texas easy. Wonder how UT football is doing in class today? Hope their crying a river
Wreck em tech!
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Please, you Tech fans need to get over yourselves. The top recruits from across the state will go to Texas, Oklahoma, LSU and maybe even A & M. The second tier also go to those schools and a few to Tech. The fact of the matter is that Lubbock is in the middle of nowhere and offers an average education. I’m not trying to be rude just stating the facts.
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Michael,
-Your “top recruits” got beat by our “2nd tier” recruits
-It’s what you do with your education that matters
…not trying to be rude, just stating the facts
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Michael,
You said, “The fact of the matter is that Lubbock is in the middle of nowhere and offers an average education.” Lubbock is geographically situated in the south plains in the panhandle of Texas. I have friends who live there, who have continually weathered extreme frigid winters and powerful winds/tornadoes. If you ask me, that makes them a tough bunch of people. And, as for the “average education” comment. That’s just plain silly. I had the distinct honor of visiting Tech twice and they have a beautiful campus. On one of those occasions, I also attended a cadaver dissection at Methodist Hospital performed by a visiting neurosurgeon. It was an unforgettable experience. The truth of the matter is that Lubbock and Tech are classy places.
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Greg,,, You said it right!!!
not being rude, just stating the facts…..CLASSIC!!
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Michael,
I know this might be a big word for you, but look up “momentum”. What Tech did on Saturday night will help them get those top recruits who were on the fence on where to go. A&M is now irrelevant. They are living in the past. They can’t even acknowledge that we’ve surpassed their athletic program. Tech is on the upswing and has now proven that it’s not just a gimmick. Messages like yours, Michael just show how ignorant some people are. Be a grown up and accept defeat. Wreck ‘em.
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I was in a Lubbock hotel this weekend and I saw a young man visiting with his father that was deciding whether or not to come to Tech. I would assume he was a recruit, looked about 6′6″ and 290-310 lbs. In the elevator his father told me that they were going to the OU game also. Believe me, the game which they just witnessed, impressed him.
If you WIN , , they will come.
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I thought that the defense set the tone early in the game. I felt that Texas was somewhat rattled in the first quarterr. Tech got enough points early before McCoy got hot. The touchdown pass to Crabtree was all about determination on Crabtree’s part. Time to focus on the Cowboys.
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Congrats– Texas should have won but felt Tech earned it and deserved the win. Tech has finally joined the likes of Texas and Oklahoma and is no longer the little brother. Be warned that it is not as great as you think. Now you are the ones with the target on your back. This is something no one from Tech has ever experienced. I would like to see Tech not choke and join Texas at the end of the year in the National Championship game. Chances of this are slim but could happen.
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JDAVIS…
That is the most positive, humble, and encouraging post I have seen on any of these Tech blogs from a UT fan.
Thanks for the kudos… your kids played their hearts out too.
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Grew up in Floydada. Been in Oregon these last 36 years. EVERYONE!! knows I’m a Texan. Hell, when I was growing up, Darrell Royal was god, and when you died, you went to Austin! Of course I root for Texas. Except when they play Tech.
This has been a long time coming. I watched Donny Anderson play in Lubbock. My Daddy knew E.J. Hollub. Now Tech has the toughest row to hoe in all of college football. That’s how “it” should be done. Every game means something!
Wreck ‘Em Tech!!
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Estaban.. check the stats… there was no way Texas should have come that close to winning.. Tech outgained them by more than 200 yards in offense.
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Jim Whitley
I know you…. went to school with you in Floydada. Lu Ann Lovell.
Graduated from Tech, so of course it is a great day to beat UT.
E-mail me at luluche1@swbell.net
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Michael,
Your life must be pathetic if you cannot be happy for someone else.
Your comments about Tech are small minded, rude, and not supported by fact.
And besides…we all know why athletes go to A&M and UT…they pay their athletes much better …. cause they have the Puff fund.
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Go Tech. You guys have it in you to finish off this season with a perfect record. Don’t let up. It will be the hardest thing you have ever done in your life to go through the season with a perfect record, but your reward will outway the costs. To the victors belong the spoils!!!!
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