The Elf’ looms large in Tech win
By Jeff Walker | AVALANCHE-JOURNAL
Eric Morris’ nickname isn’t intimidating. Neither is his size.
Yet, “The Elf,” all 5-foot-8, 169 pounds of him, continued to be a big pain in the side of the opponent’s defense.
Texas Tech's Eric Morris scores a touchdown in front of Oklahoma State's Ricky Price during Tech's win Saturday at Jones AT&T Stadium.
The Shallowater standout finished with 10 receptions, tying a career-high (Colorado, 2007), for 97 yards in Texas Tech’s 56-20 win over No. 9 Oklahoma State.
While Mike Crabtree deservedly has received the attention as the Red Raiders’ – and the country’s – top receiver, Morris has been a solid option for quarterback Graham Harrell.
The Cowboys didn’t give up many big plays. Tech’s longest pass play went for 28 yards (Harrell to Lyle Leong).
“We had great tempo,” Morris said. “When we’re in and out of huddles, that’s when we play our best. It’s not like the plays are perfect or we have the perfect scheme for everybody … Graham is just uncanny at getting in and out of his reads.”
Without the home-run-type play, though, the Red Raiders’ offense still dominated with long and consistent drives. Morris helped on many of them.
As Tech took control in the first quarter, Morris already racked up half of his receptions, including one that went for his lone touchdown.
On Tech’s first scoring drive, Morris caught a pass – as a last option when all other receivers were covered – for two yards. Tech scored four plays later.
The Red Raiders’ ensuing drive ended with a 4-yard TD reception by Morris that looked like a play run on the playground, a simple out that gave Tech a 14-7 lead.
Before the end of the quarter, Morris had receptions of 4, 13 and 9 yards. He added a 7-yard catch on the same drive at the start of the second quarter. Mike Crabtree scored the touchdown to culminate that drive.
Morris added catches of 10, 15, 17 and 16 yards in the second half. His second and third receptions came on Tech’s 96-yard drive at the start of the fourth quarter.
“Everybody got going tonight,” Crabtree said. “You can go down the list and name people that made big first downs. Our whole receiving core did a great job. I’m proud of everybody.”
Morris attributes his success – and that of the team – to a conversation he had after last year’s Gator Bowl. Morris and Harrell discussed the possibilities of having a special season this year and the rest of the team has followed suit.
“We put in a lot of work, a lot of work that people don’t see when the cameras aren’t around, when no people are around,” Morris said. “The team has done a great job responding and we’re playing really well right now.”
To comment on this story:
jeff.walker@lubbockonline.com 766-8735
terry.greenberg@lubbockonline.com 766-8700
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You guys are something special…I’m very proud!! Keep up the good work RED RAIDERS!!! Let’s get ready for the Sooners!!!
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Great catches EMO, being from Shallowater makes for trying harder!
Now “Sock to the Sooners” and we are Miami bound!
They may call Coach a mad scientist, but looks like genius and talent to me! Harrell and Co. on a roll-Keep Rollin!
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Miami Bound?
Would people in West Texas even know how to behave or act in Miami? Just the thought of people from West Texas in South Beach is funny and sad at the same time to tell you the truth. If Texas Tech does go to Miami I hope someone in Lubbock AJ writes an article on class and style. Something the fans in Lubbock lack.
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To Texas Born:
This guys a jerk. He can even stay on UT blogs. He posy all the same rants on Tech blogs. Plain jealousy. Por little UT alum.
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UUUUMMMM! ALL I HAVE TO SAY IS WHATEVA TO TEXAS BORN
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It never ceases to amaze me how a “UT” fan can come on our site and talk trash. Lack of class? It is all over Austin!! Lots of freaks on 6th street who have the manners of a junior high student. Austin is a great city but only if you are able to stay away from the students! And while I am on a UT rant, the adult fans are just as bad as anyone I have ever seen in Red Raider land. Go to Austin anytime of the year and wear a TECH shirt….. constant comments and snide remarks. They are poor losers to say the least. Mac Brown is very well spoken and he does his best to express the “class” of UT to the sports nation. Unfortunately, the fans don’t have the ability to follow his lead.
The Raiders are playing lights out! They have every chance to beat OU in two weeks. Their defense has come a long ways and shows their experience every week. I think Bradford is worried about getting his bell rung again in two weeks. If the defense can pressure him like they did last year, it is a done deal.
I don’t think there is anything else that can be said for the offense. I personally would love to see a rematch between TECH and Alabama. That game in the Cotton Bowl was terrible!! Graham will have a great opportunity to redeem himself in Miami.
Wreck ‘em Tech!!!!!!!!!!
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TexasBorn…. did you make poo poo? Need your diaper changed?
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I have one thing to say to Texas Born…. It doesn’t count if you moved to Texas….. well 2 things.. you lost in LUBBOCK…
Enough of that.
Way to go Elf and the crew, you guys are awesome.
Way to go D. We will be hard to beat if we keep this up.
Get ready for the Sooners – the next biggest game…
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I’ve been around awhile, and it never ceases to amaze me why some idiot (sounds like UT) feels the need to come on to Tech Blogs and express negative crap that is so far from the truth, he would be charged with purjury if such remarks were made in court under oath.
My PHD in psychology tells me that he has unmet needs.
Probably, his mother dropped him on his head when he was
a baby, and he never developed mentally.
A bunch of guys loomed large in this game… Several get their names mentioned a lot… Never forget what the other 10 are doing to get that one in the spotlight… And the “D” (Ruffin’s “D”) make the “D”ifference in this TEAM!!
Don’t let up ….and you’ll be ready for the sooners.
Wreck em, TECH.
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As an OSU fan sitting in the midst of Tech fans on the East side I can say from personal experience that the Tech fans were nothing short of phenomenal! I heard no obscenities, deragotory comments, or saw no rude gestures. All I saw and heard were fans that are absolutely crazy about their team, and they have every right to be just that! I do love my OSU Cowboys, but the Red Raiders just flat out-played us and now I’m cheering on the BEST team in the Big 12 to go all the way! Yes, there are fans in every sport and every team that are obnoxious and rude, but I didn’t see any Saturday night.
Congratulations to Lubbock and the Red Raider community!! And thanks for a great football weekend in Lubbock!
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Great post OkieinLubbock. OSU is a great team that ran into some adversity with costly turnovers last night. And if Bryant had caught the pre-halftime Hail Mary, the game could have gone much differently. Best of luck the rest of this season and please take down OU for us if you don’t mind. We’ll see you in Stillwater next year for another good one!
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I think Emo and Lewis are going to rack up the balk of the catches from here out, Britton and Crab are getting double coverage now and that will leave a LB underneath even with the nickle package in. and GH’s growth from last year of being locked on to one side of the field has made the Difference. Ofter the 22nd all things being equal he is the favorite? Those are the Facts. Guns UP#27
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Re Lubbock and class … what the UT an ought to know (b/c it is true for UT also) … is that most Tech fans/alums are in Dallas and Houston (and even Austin/San Ant!) … not Lubbock. So TTU fans in Miami probably won’t be an issue. But if we need to prep for some of the “couplings” you see in SoBe, perhaps we should take in Austin first!
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Texas Born,
Tech beat t.u.- GET OVER IT!!!!!!
Go TECH!
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Harrell does not need to redeem himself. He was not QB at the Cotton Bowl. Harrell was in the last two bowls. He is undefeated in bowl games as QB.
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Austin is the only town I have ever traveled to on business that proudly boasts the slogan “Keep Austin Weird” on everything you see. I was surprised to see it the first time. Then as I reflect on it each trip, I see why the Austonians seem to fit the slogan. I suppose if I lived there I would find some not so weird but that is never going to happen!
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We are behind you “Elf” Eric! Your Mom, Dad and extended family are good friends of ours. My brother is wearing a #12 Tech jersey that i found on Ebay. It does not have your name on the back (until you signed it recently.) He was sitting in front of a whole family at a game this season that were all wearing #5 jerseys. They asked him who #12 was and why he was wearing it. He explained our families were good friends. After you made a few huge catches and advanced the ball on offense, the kids in the family told their dad they wanted #12 jerseys! Way to go Eric!!!
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Yes Sir! Mr. Morris has taken center stage! What fun it must be!! I am looking for my #12 jersey too!!
ONE GAME AT A TIME!! FINISH IT!!
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Britton Sr.
I look forward to reading your insightful comments every week. It is cool to see parents getting involved in these chats.
I can’t tell anything you don’t already know about your son….but, WOW! HE IS EXPLOSIVE AND EXCITING TO WATCH!!
Will see you in Miami!!!
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This is my way to vent, I love the coaching staff and the players very much. I coach and love to see kids play at a level of confidence that Tec is playing at this year. This is my way of encouraging and boasting about my son, without doing it on the Rivals sight, where they are a bit to radical for me. Guns UP#27
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