Red Raiders Football Notebook 11-09-2008
Compiled by Don Williams
Special effort
Texas Tech won a key battle Saturday night by keeping a lid on Oklahoma State’s dangerous return game. The Cowboys didn’t have a kickoff return longer than 25 yards and didn’t get a chance to return a punt.
Oklahoma State came into the game ranked third in the nation in punt return average (19.5 yards) and 12th in the nation in kickoff return average (25.03). The reasons: wide receiver Dez Bryant, who had returned two punts for touchdowns this year, and cornerback Perrish Cox, who had a 31.1-yard kickoff return average with a TD.
However, Tech’s offense kept the punt team off the field, and the kickoff coverage was solid, if not spectacular. OSU’s starting field position after kickoffs was its own 22- , 23- , 20- , 25- , 20-, 24-, 25- and 20- and 14-yard lines, and only two were touchbacks.
“The part I was most proud of was our special teams,’’ Tech coach Mike Leach said. “Going against Oklahoma State, you’re going against some of the best special teams in the conference. I was proud of our guys, because we had a better game on special teams than they did.’’
Taylor Charbonnet and Franklin Mitchem were in on two tackles apiece.
It was reminiscent of two years ago, when the Cowboys came into Jones AT&T Stadium with the nation’s No. 1-ranked kickoff return team but had four kickoff returns stopped inside their own 10-yard line.
Welcome back
Texas Tech defensive tackle Ra’Jon Henley had missed 3 ½ games with a knee injury before he returned last week to play a handful of snaps against Texas.
Henley was in the game against Oklahoma State early and made a key play in the first quarter. After the Cowboys took advantage of a Tech fumble to score on three plays on their first series, Henley broke up a third-down pass on OSU’s second possession. That forced the Cowboys to punt from their own 38-yard line.
“Good to see him back out here,’’ defensive coordinator Ruffin McNeill said. “Ra’Jon’s a football player for us. I’m not from the old school where I play kids who have nicks and bruises. If you’re hurt, we’ll play you when you get well.’’
Record watch
Tech quarterback Graham Harrell, with six touchdown passes Saturday, increased his career total to 125. He needs six to tie and seven to break the major-college record of 131 held by Colt Brennan, who set the mark last year as a senior at Hawaii.
Harrell’s career passing yardage is 14,759, which is 272 behind Ty Detmer (Brigham Young, 1988-91) for second place in major-college history.
Tech sophomore flanker Mike Crabtree, with three more touchdown catches, has 40 for his career. That’s ninth in Division I-A history.
More work for Bird
Tech strong-side linebacker Bront Bird is the man who goes to the sidelines when the Red Raiders use a nickel (five-defensive back) package and he’s also off when the Raiders go with six DBs, meaning there are some games in which the sophomore from Odessa Permian doesn’t get many plays.
With the running threat that Oklahoma State poses, Tech defensive coordinator Ruffin McNeill kept three linebackers in the game a little more often Saturday, especially in the first half and early third quarter when the game was still tight.
Bird was credited with four tackles and a pass breakup.
Once Tech got a lead of at least three touchdowns in the second half, forcing the Cowboys to pass more, McNeill went with more five- and six-DB packages.
In brief
Tech defeated two top-10 teams in the same season for the first time since the 1974 Red Raiders knocked off Texas and Arizona, when those two were ranked Nos. 6 and 9, respectively. … The crowd was 55,663, the third-largest in Jones AT&T Stadium history. … Texas Tech’s 14-play, 97-yard scoring drive in the second quarter was its second longest of the season by yardage. The Red Raiders had a 98-yard drive against SMU. The Raiders tacked on a 12-play, 96-yard drive against the Cowboys in the fourth quarter. … Tech extended its school-record winning steak to 12 games dating to last season. Tech also is 6-0 in conference play for the first time.
More from this category
- Photo Gallery: Texas Tech 35 SMU 27
- Tech notes: Tuberville hints at redshirt for Erxleben
- Freshman off to fast start
- Former ‘Husker commits to Tech
- Tech notes: McRoy, Keown impress in scrimmage
- Smith goes fishing for QBs
- ‘Golden Palomino’ wins state golf title
- Examiner.com: Coaching change hurting Tech in realignment talks
Entries (RSS)
Special Teams is Great. I think Britton should be returning KO. and as far as being a secret on the left side, that secret is out. He was double covered all night. Guns UP#27
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How sweet it is to be a Red Raider living in Stillwater, OK this morning! Guns Up!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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On autograph day in August, my daughters approached Eddie for his autograph. While he was signing their football, I told him he was one of the keys to the success of Tech’s offence, this season. A very nice and well meaning lady, retorted “Way to go! Now you have put a lot of pressure on him.” I looked at her and said, “Madam that is why he came to Tech to show us he can accept that pressure and succeed. “ Indeed he has succeeded. By having Oklahoma State rollover a safety to double him, it left the middle of the field open for Lewis, Swindall, Morris, and any other slot receivers to exploit, and they did. Your son not only runs good routes, but is one the best down field blockers I have seen. I know you’re very proud of him and I’m very grateful that he came to Tech so I can witness his football abilities. Go #27!
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Hope Baylor is a sell-out! Wreck’Em Tech!
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Mr. Britton Sr…. I couldn’t agree with you more. Having Britton in on KO’s along side Wall’s would be a great tandom… and in my opinion as talented as the two in Gainseville. When teams have used cover two on #27, it has opened up lanes for #5 and #12 and vice versa. I also admire your comments regarding to sticking to the statistics and the game. Guns Up! to #27 and Tech.
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So when are people going to stop calling Mike Leach a “Mad Scientist,” and start calling him just a good football coach?
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While it is nice to see different players singled out for special recognition, I think what has made this team special is the appreciation each has show for other team mates. This group seems to be a TEAM – as in “no I in team.” Every game has had different individuals making great plays by “doing HIS OWN JOB to the best of his ability.” That, by the way, is one of the keys that Coach Leach stresses in getting ready for each game. I have been attending Tech games since 1957, and words can’t express the feeling I get while watching from the stands as this team excels. Someone asked why I didn’t sell my Tx ticket. Money can’t buy what being there was like! Go RED RAIDERS!
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Thanks Red Raider in FL. Who knows we might have a chance to meet. 1st. Oklahoma, Balor the Big 12 and then….? 4 year ago when Edward and I were trying to decide between, Nebraska, Colorado, and many others, the coaches said they had a plan. Coach Brown ( bless his soul ) was recruiting Edward and we beleived him. Guns UP#27
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Baylor…. 4 years ago…. Guns UP#27
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Give Harrell some votes for The Davey Obrien Award
http://www.voteobrien.org/login.asp
Wreck-Em
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i love how everyone is playing for the team as c fielding mentioned above. play as a team and everyone looks good and it is amazing that you can have 2 hiesman candites on the same team and its not just them making the plays. morris had a huge game and it was because britton was getting double teamed crabtree is double teamed on alot of plays and then it britton and lewis that explode that is wat makes this offense so unstoppable instead of containing crabtree you have loads of talent around that will explode if you focus on one person and the offensive line is amazing the way they all work together. unbeliveable i could go down the line about the defense now but i dont need to they have been dynamic to. wat makes this team special is there is no 1 person that is here for themself and the future in the nfl instead they are here for the national championship hardware
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