Red Raiders Football Notebook 11-24-08

Compiled by Don Williams l Avalanche-Journal

Like he wanted

Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops played a card last week to help his defense, and it paid off in a big way during the Sooners’ 65-21 rout of Texas Tech.

When questioned several days before the game about his home crowd, Stoops said OU fans had been good about cheering when the offense scored touchdowns but didn’t do much to help the defense. They were never loud enough, he said, to keep other teams from using a normal cadence.

That got the desired response Saturday from a record crowd of 85,646.

“Tonight was by far the best atmosphere I have ever played in,” said OU quarterback Sam Bradford, a sophomore.

Stoops said he had a game ball for the fans.

“That’s what you hope the stadium would be like,” he said. “I hope I didn’t offend anyone by challenging them this week. We have great fans. You don’t sell out every game for 10 years without loyal and committed fans. I’ve always envisioned a loud crowd to influence a game, and they sure did tonight.”

Records watch

Tech flanker Mike Crabtree had a 13-game streak with at least five catches and a touchdown come to an end.

Crabtree finished with six receptions for 62 yards.

On the dismal night, Crabtree did become the fourth player in Tech history to top 3,000 yards in career receiving. He has 3,034.

Crabtree moved past Carlos Francis (3,027). This week, he can break the school career record by overtaking Lloyd Hill (3,059) and Wes Welker (3,069).

Tech quarterback Graham Harrell’s three touchdown passes gave him 128 for his career. That’s three away from the major-college record held by Colt Brennan, who was a senior last year at Hawaii.

Damage in perspective

Tech’s 65-21 loss broke a school record for points allowed in a game.

The previous mark came in a 62-31 five years ago at Missouri. Tech also was beaten 61-11 at Miami (Fla.) in 1986 in David McWilliams’ second game in his lone season as Tech head coach.

The 44-point loss was the third-worst margin of defeat for Tech coach Mike Leach. The worst was a 56-3 rout by Nebraska in 2000, followed by a 60-15 loss at Oklahoma in 2002.

Comments

  • jswanny said:

    I would love to tell you guys that I didn’t see this coming…..but I did. I would love to say a lot of things, but as a part of that 86K I can’t speak this morning cuz I don’t have a voice.

    That heralded O-Line had a new one torn into them by OU’s 2nd string DE’s. The “elf” was definitely miniscule in this game, and those LB’s that played so well against UT and OSU were nowhere to be found.

    Mike Leach reminded me of that coach from THE WATERBOY. He was looking to go get a pretzel after we opened up a 28-0 lead. The problem was that none of the players wanted to stop him. They all wanted a pretzel too, lol. They couldn’t wait to get out of that stadium.

    BOOMER SOONER!!

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  • raider dad 76 said:

    jswanny,

    I was there as well and watched us take our lumps like men. I meet many a sooner fan and was impressed by their humble attitude. Most went out of their way to be respectful.

    You, on the other hand, are a disappointment. You must be known for your classy behavior by all who know you.

    Good luck next week in Stillwater. Bring your trash talking up there and see how they like it.

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  • Billy Brown said:

    You know why Texas just don’t fall off into the Gulf Of Mexico?

    Cause ou SUCKS

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  • loyalredraider said:

    jswanny must be the ***hole that I was stuck sitting by Saturday night. I have been to many road games, and I have never seen so many fans who wanted trouble before the game ever started. What was even more surprising was that most who started the trouble were senior citizens, and I feel certain were not alumni, but instead trailer park trash……..

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  • John Paul Belew said:

    I guess we were lucky. The ou fans around us were great. They didn’t make any remarks toward TT the whole night.

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  • Paul M. said:

    OK won the game outright and I agree they are the better team. As far as jswanny, he’s white trash and if you look among the OK statisics about fans who actually attended the school you see that it is less than 15%. That basically means the stadium is full of tee shirt alums and their behavior reflects that. Jswanny is more than likely one of these people so don’t give him the time of day. He needs to get back to work at Denny’s anyway as his shift starts at midnight. Side note: Great win for the OK team. You guys deserve the NC invite over Texas. I will say I still want OKST to beat you but that’s far fetched.

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  • Loyal Sooner said:

    Almost everyone, from every school in the Big 12, acknowledges that OU has good fans. Let’s also remember that it was the Tech fans who speared the A&M fans with the goal posts.

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  • Paul M. said:

    That was a take home gift. All joking aside, I agree the goal post was bad but conducted by a bunch of freshman who were out of control(alcohol). Plenty of things have happened by all the schools fans which are in poor taste. Unfortunately the goal post is probably one of the worst and most talked about. I will say all the talk about batteries etc.. is all made up by aggies who try and discredit tech in all ways. Tech views them not relevant at this point or since inception of Big 12. OU and Texas both have great fans as I always feel welcome on Norman and Austin with my family. Good luck to the Sooners in the NC as you deserve it.

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  • Red Raider John said:

    Look you tool box…the goal post thing vs A&M is so old news…aggies were the ones who speared their own fans…not us but them…get your facts straight….if we are just going to make stuff up…i guess i could talk about ou paying players to watch oil rigs and sell cars (oops they couldn’t even do that right) and all of the other supposed non happenings at your crooked program (how much money did your ad have to pay ncaa to get that whole season put back on the record books for the car lot fiasco)…The whole Big 12 is tough for road teams…but my time in Norman was good except for the looser trailer contingent that seems to dominate the OU fan base….please take some of your $$$ and get them at least into a truck driving school or something…they need help….that and get them to a dentist and show them how to use a toothbrush.

    Go Pokes in Bedlam!

    See ya in Lubbock for some good ol’fashion welcome to Texas next season…we will remember the “hospitality” to give back and then some.

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  • JJ said:

    Big deal, dude all of the TT fans I was around from 3 oclock through kickoff were too drunk to know the difference. All the trailer park fans, they are OSU alum, get it straight. Also, Lubbock I have to say is only about the 8th best place to see a game in the big twelve & I have been to EVERY stadium atleast twice to watch a game. And just so you know my husband went to Texas it isnt like I have only watched OU games (proud alum). Your stadium is a real crap hole, & your scoreboards look like high school scoreboards so you dont need to give any one advice on where to spend their money.

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  • LEACH@TTU said:

    TTU, HELP, HELP, I CAN’T FIND MY A$$, I HAD ALL DAY FRIDAY, BUT LOST IT SATURDAY NIGHT, I THINK IT’S IN NORMAN AND I REALLY NEED IT, I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE IT TO TENESSEE WITH ME, I ASK HARREL AND CRABTREE IF THEY SEEN, AND THEIR’S IS MISSING TOO, SO IS CARTERS, WELL HE NEVER HAD ONE. PLEASE SOMEONE GO TO NORMAN AND ASK STOOPS REAL NICELY TO GIVE EM BACK, SO WE CAN BEAT BAYLOR.

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  • James said:

    JJ I don’t think you’ve been to Jones stadium since before 2003.

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  • LEACH@TTU said:

    PLEASE, I NEED MY A$$

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  • Joe said:

    This season is not over by any means. Tech is still tied for 1st place in the Big 12 South. Must hand it to Ou, they were fired up on Saturday and outplayed us. Still several key games to be played however. The main thing we need to hope for is for Ok State to beat Ou this weekend. Hang in there, Raiders!

    Wreck ‘em Tech!

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  • LEACH@TTU said:

    JOE, WILL YOU GO TO NORMAN AND GET MY A$$?

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  • Joe said:

    JJ, perhaps the losses your team has suffered at Jones Stadium has affected your opinion of it? It may not be the fanciest in the world, but it has given us a great home-field advantage over the years.

    Wreck ‘em Tech!

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  • Karl said:

    Tech fans! Graham Harrell is a finalist for the O’Brien award, along with McCoy and Bradford. All of the finalists are from the Big 12! Go to voteobrien.org and vote for Graham!

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  • Joe said:

    “Leach@TTU” , your attempt at humor has failed miserably.

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  • LEACH@TTU said:

    NO SERIOSLY JOE, I NEED MY A$$, PLEASE JOE WILL YOU GO GET IT, I WILL GET YOU TICKETS ON THE 50 YARD LINE AT OUR HIGH SCHOOL STADIUM AGAINST BAYLOR.

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  • BOOMSOON said:

    Hey LEACH@TTU, Tripped over a mess of em here on the field today at practice in Norman. Check e-bay.

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  • GunsUp@TTU said:

    JJ is OTR and the “Leach@…” Dude? Get a life. OU beat us, and watching it was brutal for anyone that loves their Red Raiders. Congratulations to the team, the coaches and the gracious fans that dominate OU Football. The rest of you need to go back to your trailer park and put up some cheesy multi-colored Christmas lites that are half burned out and pop a top, and squeeze some cheese on a generic saltine.

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  • Joe said:
  • LEACH@TTU said:

    MMM, THAT SOUNDS SO GOOD GUNSUP@TTU, BUT I STILL NEED MY A$$ WILL YOU GO GET IT SO JOE CAN CONTINUE TO RUB IT WHEN IT’S SORE.

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  • James said:

    Joe I am sensing some t-shirt fans

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  • GunsUp@TTU said:

    James, I think you’re SMELLING some t-shirt fans….You recognize that smell don’t you? Its the aromatic fragrance of unearned arrogance from someone who likely never even attended the university, let alone graduated…mixed with a light bouquet of axle grease and the most recent burp from his belly bomb he bought at the convenience store for lunch.

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  • SoonerGuy said:

    Every fan base has its own set of trashy, horrible fans, that never went to the school and get too drunk for their own good and cant even remember what happened during the game. It’s unfortunate that so many of those people also know enough to be able to find message boards and articles like this one to spread their meaningless existence, as it appears several from both sides have done on here.

    Paul M, where exactly did you find that wonderful enlightening statistic you stated? I have never been asked at ANY football stadium, much less OU’s, whether or not I attended the school upon my entry, but somehow you got that magical number. Source please?

    That was by far the best game I have ever seen at OU (as far as atmosphere) and I really enjoyed the game. I was also impressed by how many Tech fans stayed for so long, even when the game appeared to be definitely out of hand.

    Wish you guys the best from here on out, and next season until we meet in Lubbock.

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  • James said:

    Gunsup@ttu, you are so correct.

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  • GunsUp@TTU said:

    Sooner Guy says it well, thank you. Congratulations to your team and your university. I really am one of the good fans…and raised my kids to be the same. I just had to dig at the Leach Dude for being so blatantly rude about our coach. I would expect you to do the same.

    Guns Up Red Raiders!! Beat Baylor!!

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  • Henry said:

    Forty odd years, ever since my college days at ole Jones and other stadiums, I waited for the great Red Raiders of this year. My kids graduated from Tech, same story on winning. This year the Raidrs were the dream team, but to lose is one thing, to be outcoached and bloody beaten by a team just because they were at home is tragic. Yeah give OU credit where credit is due, but the Raiders were better than what we saw Saturday night.

    Graham Harrell is better than that, he was the Man for the Heisman and so was Crabtree, just let it slip right throught their hands and hearbroke a million fans. Well so much for crying over spilt mllk and a tragic loss, on to bigger and better things. Even if it means another Decade or Two. It’s not like we have not seen it before

    Yeah Right is a great season and maybe a Bowl game win, but some time you have to win the BIG one, Especially when you are capable.As JFK used to say Second is still a loser. When it is in you hands you have to tgo get it and not just give it away.

    I hate the Sooners always have, I never like the Horns, but now I will go with them, just to see a Texas team have a chance for the BSC Championship. TTU is burned deep in my everything, but we just cant win the Big Ones.

    But what a let down to see such

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  • JJ said:

    James, yes I have been to your stadium 4x in the last 3 years. In fact I have been there a number of times total. Your scoreboards are pathetic, barely work properly & that is for a significant college game. More than half the lights were out for a 3rd round high school playoff game. Clearly you have not been to any other stadiums. In fact I would say that Jones SBC er Jones AT&T stadium is only slightly nicer than Baylors or TCU. And my frickin 3A high school has had the exact same turf for the last 4 years & ya’ll think it is an upgrade. But on positive note, the parking is really pretty convenient at Jones. Of course TTU doesnt have to worry about getting as many fans in the stadium as even A&M,UT or OU.

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  • James said:

    I admit our scoreboards are older than most but i have never seen half the lights out. We are getting upgrades in2010 with the new press box on the east side. The reason we don’t get the crowds like A&M is because lubbock it out in the middle of west texas. With the recent updates I wouldn’t be putting down the jones.

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  • Eric in New Mexico said:

    What’s interesting about these comments is how fast one can identify the true fans. They’re the ones who are honest with their opinions and don’t see the need to put down others. I love Tech but I support all Texas teams when they play someone from another state. And that includes teams like TCU, SMU, UTEP, RICE, HOUSTON, NORTH TEXAS, and all the others. And I respect the Oklahoma team, even though it hurt to watch the game Saturday. But, I keep reminding myself that these are schools, first of all, and I just can’t see bad mouthing a place that provides education to so many. After all, isn’t that the most important thing? GO RAIDERS, and all the other schools too!

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  • Jeff RR said:

    Man, we got beat by a big group of Texans that went north. The name should be changed from sooners to Texans. Recruit oklahoma blue chips, and see where you are. No where. I am so glad to see ok has a professional team other than the sooners now.

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  • JJ said:

    Hey Jeff any idea how many starters from OU are from Texas less than half. Sure a bunch are from Texas but there not all of them. How about the fact that only 2 touchdowns were scored by Texans? or that none of the o-line is from Texas? We have players from all over the US, get a clue before you resort to UT type of putdowns. Our Oklahoma born tight end (Gresham),def lineman (McCoy) and QB… I think you know his name, made it a long night for ya!

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  • kyle said:

    Sooner/Boomer

    20/20 Hindsight – sawi it coming – after the fact… wow…. briliiant.

    I knew the market was going to crash… saw it coming, but was out getting a pretzel so did not tell anyone.

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  • LEACH@TTU said:

    JJ, Thanks for clearing that up for us. Could you do me a favor? My a$$ is still up there in Norman and I really need it, I gota game coming up Saturday against Baylor and I would like to show up with my a$$. What would you charge to bring it back to Lubbock? Oh and bring Harrel’s and Crabtree’s while your at it, I think Carter’s is missing too, hard to tell, I don’t think he ever had one.

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  • devin everett said:

    for the few good ou fans, the trash-talkers are taking over.

    okie light is sure going to ruin your a$$……………

    and we will see if your back next week

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  • James said:

    leach@ttu is a shirt fan

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  • James said:

    t-shirt fan***

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  • ReddestRaider1017 said:

    All the ou fans need to shut up and start worrying about Oklahoma St. Yall are pathetic for not letting last week’s game go. Yeah it was ou’s night, that was the best their defense had ever played and ironically against the best offense they had ever played. Good for them, they played inspired and executed their game plan. At the same time, you’re flat out dumb if you think Tech will lose to baylor in Lubbock. ou has the absolute greatest chance out of the top 3 South teams to have two losses. As a true Red Raider football fan, I still feel really good about this season. ou fans need to shut up cuz the season ain’t over.

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  • Jeff RR said:

    JJ, you still need Texas and the rest of the nation to make ou what it is. None of the o-line is from Texas, wow. What about the rest of the team? How many starters on Y ou R team are from ok? ok University has great tradition in football. I have always admired ou. But just admit it, with ou T Texas, ou W ou ld be mediocre at best.

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  • Ken said:

    EVERYONE CALM DOWN. Let’s remember we are still having the best season in forever. Everyone has a mental breakdown now and again. I think Leach is doing a good job (might cut back on the risk taking too early in the game)….can’t wait until the whole defensive playbook can be used. Keep your guns up!!!!!!

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  • RickBlaine said:

    Interesting at the gloating from the OU posters, since half their roster is from a Texas high school. Without poaching Texas athletes, OU would be a 1-AA school. I expected TT to lose; they always do a “Lucy and the football” routine on their fans. What will be also interesting is OU’s annual swan-dive in the bowl game. Remember West Virginia last year? OU will choke again on a national stage, just like last year, and the year before, and the year before.

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