Ready or not, here comes UT week for Tech
Texas Tech had less time than usual this season to get ready for the Big 12 Conference opener, not to mention more talent gaps to plug in the process.
At least the Red Raiders will go into Saturday’s game against No. 2 Texas coming off their best half of football since last season.
In Saturday’s 55-10 blowout of Rice, Tech scored touchdowns on all six of its full possessions in the second half. Except when they took over with 39 seconds left and ran out the clock, the Red Raiders stuck it in the end zone all their other series in the second half as Taylor Potts came within one of the school record for single-game touchdown passes.
“We just need to take that second half and build on it. That’s the biggest thing,’’ said Tech coach Mike Leach, whose team faces Texas at 7 p.m. Saturday in Austin. “I mean, just keep improving all phases.’’
Tech played a so-so first half against Rice, leading 14-3 at the break but having come away empty a couple of times on drives to the Owls’ 1- and 21-yard lines.
Texas Tech's Taylor Potts looks for a target under pressure from Rice's Cheta Ozougwa during their game Sept, 12, 2009 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. (John A. Bowersmith/Avalanche-Journal)
The second half was a different story as the Raiders came out in two-minute offense mode and executed crisply, drive after drive.
Potts threw for 456 yards and seven touchdowns, throwing five of the scoring passes in the third and fourth quarters.
“The biggest thing (with) the second half, despite the fact there were some glaring mistakes, everybody played the next play,’’ Leach said. “Nobody focused on (the mistakes) or worried about them. Let our intensity and momentum take care of the mishaps, which it will if you have the ability to move on quickly. I was proud that they did.’’
Tech remained just outside the Top 25 when the major polls were released Sunday: third among others receiving votes in the USA Today coaches poll, and fourth among others receiving votes in The Associated Press media survey.
Since Leach took over as head coach in 2000, Tech is 0-4 in Austin and has had little success slowing the Longhorns. UT has scored 42, 43, 52 and 59 points in those games.
The Tech defense swarmed Rice. The Raiders sacked Owls quarterbacks six times, recorded eight other tackles for losses and broke up 12 passes. They gave up 257 yards and didn’t allow a touchdown until the game was well in hand in the fourth quarter.
They’re under no illusions, though, knowing the quality of competition will ratchet up in a hurry.
“We’re not where we want to be,’’ said defensive end Brandon Sharpe, who set up two third-quarter touchdowns with a fumble recovery and a third-down sack. “I think we can let loose a little bit more. It’s never enough from where you’re at, so we have to keep pushing to the next level, each game, each practice.’’
Asked if his team was where he wanted after two games, Leach said, “You just keep rolling. You just keep building on it. I don’t know that it is. You’re never where you want to be. We just keep getting better and keep working to get better.’’
Tech toppled Texas 39-33 last November in Lubbock, the Raiders’ ninth win in a 10-0 start. But several of the players who starred in that game — Brandon Williams with two sacks, Daniel Charbonnet with an interception returned for a touchdown, and Graham Harrell and Mike Crabtree, who collaborated on the winning touchdown pass — are long gone.
Complicating matters, defensive end Ra’Jon Henley missed all but the first series against Rice with an apparent left ankle or shin injury, and inside receiver Detron Lewis missed the second half with what looked to be a right hamstring or other leg muscle injury.
If Henley can’t go, the Raiders’ are down to Sharpe and Daniel Howard for defensive ends with any experience to speak of.
Lewis is Tech’s No. 1 receiver. After he left in the second quarter, the snaps at his “Y’’ inside receiver went to usual backup Austin Zouzalik and Adam James, who plays both inside receiver spots.
As Lewis was leaving, junior Lyle Leong and sophomore Tramain Swindall were stepping up the way the team needs its young receivers to. Leong’s numbers were nine catches, 117 yards and three touchdowns. Swindall, after a three-week sentence to the scout team, jumped into the starting lineup with a flourish, catching six balls for a career-high 123 yards and two TDs.
Among the few mistakes Potts made, one came on a fourth-and-goal from the 2 on the first series. Potts called his own number, thinking he could sneak it in himself and didn’t come close.
“That was a dumb call on me, really,’’ he said. “You check what you see. That was just a dumb call by me. Looking back on it, I should have thrown a fade to (flanker) Jacoby (Franks), but I didn’t.’’
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Dont have anything to lose boys. Go balls to the wall for 60 minutes and regardless of the outcome hang your heads high!
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Matt, crude but sage advise. I agree.
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watch for those austin refs letting the longhorns mug our receivers to death.
all close calls will be in the longhorns favor.
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THE University of Texas 65,
little tech 14
Can you spell revenge? Like the old day, little tech will melt when they run on the floor of the stadium and see the guys in orange and 100,000 screaming at the top of their lungs.
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“On any given Saturday” boys and girls… Tech seems to always be an underdog… But remember, it isn’t how much (under)dog is in the fight, it’s how much fight is in the (under)dog… Go Red Raiders… You CAN beat Texas!!!!!…
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O.K. GUYS, the time has come. Rice is gone. UT has a Demon to get rid of. That is the Tech Demon that has haunted them since last year. They will do what ever it takes to get rid of that demon, so a little advice to our red raiders: Treat this game with much more preparation and emotion then you did last years UT game. Stick together and do not give UT a bulletin board clipping of a comment made by any Tech player. Prepare, Prepare, Prepare with closed mouth. Show them horns that we are for real and be prepared for the hostile environment of DKR stadium. (Remember what OU was like last year!!!!!) Get plenty of rest. Its flu season. We will be cheering for our raiders with our guns up and hopefully we can come out victorious.
Wreck’Em Tech
Beat UT!!!
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There has been some very good advice here except for the “knucklehead” referring to us as “little tech”. Execution is key and we cannot afford to make mental mistakes with this team. The horns are very talented no doubt, but I do believe that our Raiders are definitely under-rated. I’m saying this because they stomped Rice….there is NO comparison between the caliber of team Texas is compared to Rice. Rice win was a freebie! This game will be something that is earned through hard preparation and precise execution. This is our young guys chance to step it up and be a part of something very special! I believe they can do this, regardless of the demon of last year. I say there will be a new demon on UT’s shoulders after this game and it will push our Raiders into the ranks where we truly belong.
Wreck’Em Tech!!!!!!
Horns down!
41-38 Tech on Top!!!
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I wanted to correct a missed word…..I’m NOT saying this because we stomped Rice! There, I’m sure you would have figured it out anyway, but I feel better!
Go Tech!
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No doubt, Tech faces a tough challenge this weekend. All weekend I’ve heard nothing but trash talking from UT alumni and UT t-shirt fans. No matter what we do, we’ll always be the underdogs and that’s ok. So far, this season has had some underdog upset wins. Look at U of H and how they beat OK State in OK State. Everyone all over the nation is predicting a blow out. These sort of things should fuel our team into that no matter the outcome, play with your hearts against all odds. There’s nothing that says we can’t win this weekend!!
GO RAIDERS!!!
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You just never know. Texas is one play away from their backup QB.
Ask Oklahoma.
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Bob…….You ‘Horns AND the Ags think so very highly of yourselves! So high indeed! You might wonder if there happens to be many….or a few, Raiders that might want to pull the ‘ol switch and become either one of you ‘Horns OR Ags????? Not this one. Get used to it…….NOW and forever! Before Gabriel calls you home, dude! nmredraider1 in Albuquerque
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I just think it is fun that UT has revenge on its mind when it plays Tech. Does not happen very often. You can beat them, Red Raiders! Wreck ‘em Tech!
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This gonna be a long week for the fans & players. I hope it gets hyped up a lot b4 Saturday.
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If Wyoming can give UT hell in one half I am sure that Tech can give them hell and beat them in 4 quarters. WRECK EM!!!
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Indeed, the horns will be victorious on Saturday. The Football Prophet has spoken.
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I don’t think we can beat the Longhorns. They have too much talent and too many fans.
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Yea, I agree, we will probably lose this year and probably the following as well. But, at least we still have 2008 to brag about. Who cares, as long as we beat Texas once every five years, we’re content. guns up
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besides players & fans, texas has the REFS to beat Tech.
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I am concerned Lewis and Batch won’t be 100% for Saturday. We don’t have a chance against the Horns. Well, at least we beat ND and Rice, that’s good enough.
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Tech is too good for us. I still think that play last year was one of the greatest ever in college football! Colt is just not the leader that we need. Tech is on the rise and well, UT is starting to suck. Looks like it could be yalls year again…
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When Leach goes for it on 4th and 6 AND MAKES IT from their own 40, the Horned ones will be worried. Leach is not scared to call BS on the refs so the Raiders may get some of the calls to go their way. Playing texas early will only benefit the Raiders. For a little old school from west Texas this sute sure gets alot of attention from the ut t shirt fans.
Swing Your sword!
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I hope Texas is really ticked next year. That would mean we had success against them again this year on their own field. So here’s to another victory by the Red Raiders and even more cause for the Longhorn’s to want to even the score!!! There is no better feeling than knowing the other guy wants to get even!
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Horn 4 ever: Well TECH could beat Lake Travis which your Westlake team couldn’t do. So don’t cry too much when its over.
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The title of the article should be “Ready or not, here come the ut trolls”
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Texas Tech 35 UT 17…Yep I said it…Tech’s year to win in Austin!!! WRECK EM’ RAIDERS!!!!!
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I think the whole “revenge” thing is overrated. Emotions will be high for the first few minutes of the game, but then things will settle down. Obviously, ut will be favored to win, but I would laugh my butt off if the Raiders wrecked the whorns season again!
RAIDER POWER!
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I am a second generation Raider (my two sons at Tech are third generation) living in Austin. I wear my Red and Black in a sea of orange. What the UT fans can never undertstand is the excitment and pride I feel to be a member of a 28.000 student body school coming to play a 50,000 + student school with who knows what, 10 times our endowment, on their home field and yet they are absolutly worried sick about our coming to town. They know deep down that with a little luck, good execution and no mistakes, Tech can win this game. Why do you think College Game Day is coming?
GO RAIDERS, BEAT TEXAS
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This will be a game for the ages. No matter the outcome, tech and UT will come out fighting. This is what COLLEGE FOOTBALL IS ALL ABOUT. The big school with all the money and best talent gets a little scared about the small school out in west texas that teaches athletes to become the best that they can be. I grew up watching and living life around UT, and never looked back at my decision to go to school at tech. Wreck’Em
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Pat, i agree with you 100%… i’m a TTU alum living in Austin. I went out with my friend’s to UT’s tailgate two weeks ago for the opener wearing my Black Tech polo.. i loved all the bad looks i got! You really do feel so prideful when you’re wearing the Double T!
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“watch for those austin refs letting the longhorns mug our receivers to death.
all close calls will be in the longhorns favor.”
“besides players & fans, texas has the REFS to beat Tech.”
It’s always the Referees fault —WAH! Grow some big ones!
It’s good to see that some Tech fans already have their excuses ready to go!!
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Amen gdog 55, they’re makin excuses already…We rebuke them in the name of our Good Lord
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They say it takes 7 men to hold down 1 crazy person, now ain’t no mathemetician, but they won’t have 77 guys on that field to stop us
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oh baby……….we may not win in Austin………………but then again…………if we do………….oh baby.
this is a free shot.
media loves TU………….break their hearts…………….AGAIN !!!
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Only 5 days until tceh loses to the Mighty Horns 63-10! HOOK ‘ EM HORNS!
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I love playing UT this early in the season and we couldn’t be in a better situation. All the pressure is on the Horns. They are going to be so caught up in trying to prove a point to avenge last years defeat, and I think it could work to our advantage. Make no mistake, they are scared of the possiblity of losing to us in Austin. It has been the most anticipated game of the season even though it is not a rivalry. Go figure. I love it! Wreck ‘em Tech!
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I agree JMH…………..
Free shot for us………big impact for them if they lose.
Hell……we are not even ranked. The polsters already have us losing figured into the rankings. We could screw that up big time.
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“Raider fan” is a cowardly Horn fan in disguise. We have such an awesome group this year and we’ve been able so far to fly under the radar. Building on last years game, the intensity of our fan base, and the teams need to give Coach Leach win in Austin will keep Tech “scrappy” and full of heart. I’ve been “dreamin’ it in my head” and I can’t wait to see Tech kick up the intensity on Texas and show their fans that every year we’re going to give them more than they can handle. RAIDER POWER.
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Steven and other Longhorn fans: K State beat you all in Austin not too long ago! The Wildcats beat you two years in a row! The Texas A&M Aggies did the same thing to the Horns! It is now time for the Red Raiders to do the same!
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alrite tech its time for u to dehorn those big scared steers
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Longhorns 70
Texas Tiny Tech 14
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ITS SO FUNNY TO SEE ALL THESE STUPID LONGHORN FANS ON THIS TEXAS TECH WEBSITE…..JUST GOES TO SHOW THAT THEY ARE SCARED ABOUT PLAYING US
I ALSO THINK ITS FUNNY THAT THEY SAY THEY ARE OUT FOR REVENGE THIS YEAR…..ALL THE UT FANS I KNOW TELL ME “YALL JUST GOT LUCKY”…..O AND THIS ONE IS MY FAVORITE “WE JUST LET YALL WIN”…..IF SO WHY ARE THEY OUT FOR REVENGE?
THIS GOES TO SHOW THAT ALL UT FAN ARE GOOD FOR IS A GOOD LAUGH AND ARE FULL OF BULL****!!!!!
TO ALL MY RED RAIDER FANS FANS….REMEMBER THAT RAIDER POWER KILLS LONGHORNS!!!!!
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after reading most of these posts, I wonder why so many horns are creeping on a RED RAIDER thread and show so much fear.
RAIDER POWER!
I will be watching from my home in Sacramento, I will be wearing my Red and Black, and I want to hear “RAIDER POWER” ALL THE WAY INTO CALIFORNIA. If you are attending the game, yell one so loud for me please. Make it count, make the baby horns curl up like baby cows…. because that’s what they will become once the Mighty Red step in and conquer…
UT people say this one is not for revenge… DUDE, why do you think Sportscenter will be there? They know that America will be watching, and they know that the “Air Show” from Raiderland will attract millions, and millions will be amazed when the overrated horns rollover on their own turf…
and you know what Kirk H…. from sportcenter, you are not as smart as you think. Corso called the UoH win and I predict he will shoot the “shot guns” from Raiderland and pick Raider Red once again this year… The only bevo anyone is having this year is the steak we’ll b roasting in Austin, come Saturday.
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Have you Tech fans ever thought that the lop-sided predictions are coming from Tech fans who have been around Tech football more than 10 years and know the history of this game.
Tech has a 10 percent chance of makng this a close game. This is going to be a big blowout. I agree with the above scores like 65-14, 59-7, etc.
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Couple of things I just have to get off my chest, first, Tech did not beat Texas in the final moment of the fourth quarted last year. We beat them in every quarter both on the ground and especially in the air (pts.by quarter Tech/Texas 12/0, 22/6, 29/19, 39/33). Except for a brief moment in the fourth when our defense let up and Texas quickly scored twice to gain the lead did the No. 1 team in the nation put more points on the board. Second, how often does anyone hear that UT is responsible for developing an offensive strategy that is being copied around the country? You don’t, but I cannot tell you how often it is said of Tech and Leach. Although I admit I like Mack Brown as a person he is neither as creative or by necessity as good a head coach as Leach has proven to be, Mack relies on recruiting.
Now this is not the same team as last year, but there are enough seniors returning to provide leadership and the young guys especially Potts (although a junior, this being his first full year as the starter) are beginning to show some real talent. Add to this the Leach factor plus as Redbird and JMH have pointed out, we are the most surprising when underestimated, unranked, with absolutly nothing to lose or care about, these are the games Tech plays best. .
Although I must admit, we will be in serious trouble if Texas figures out a way to incorporate Wil Muschamp’s verticle leap (which he illustrates when ever their defense makes a good tackle) into the game.
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I hope you all will enjoy watching the tceh dead ray duhs lose this and head to the deep dark bowels of the Texas and the 11 Dwarves Conference cellar as I will enjoy watching the Horns show once again their inherent superiority over tceh. I believe m leech will keep his perfect record in austin, going from 0-4 to 0-.5 and a spectacular overall record of 2-8 against UT. 63-10 Horns. Get your Horns up people and root for a real program and a real school. HOOK “EM HORNS!
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Go Tech!
Nothing to lose at this game. As the UT trolls keep trash talking, I just remember the same thing last year. We are definitely the underdogs. No excuses here – by the way, all of the Longhorns here at work just call me “boss”. What’s the graduating rate for UT players anyway? It’s also nice that despite injuries UT can play a 6th year player like Shipley. Who else could pull those kinds of strings? I just hope Leach doesn’t to stupid 4th down calls (not all of them, just the really long shots) otherwise we will see a blowout like OU last year.
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Yes we have Bob the UT t-shirt fan that comes on our website. Go away t-shirt fans
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Blogs such as steven’s just reinforces the UT stereotype of bad grammar, no sportsmanship or sense of humor and little in the way of academics. The only problem is there are so many of them. Why are they on this site? Their sites must be filled with so many people, advertisers, media and corporate sponsorships that they cannot be heard. Not very surprising as UT is more of a large business than actual college.
Fun to be a Raider…….
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Only 3 days until UT biatch slaps the tceh dead ray duhs -. HOOK ‘EM HORNS!
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Fellas, we here in Austin cannot wait for Saturday night. 101,000 of the burnt orange faithful will be in house to “welcome” your team. The Horns playing a poor half against Wyoming was perfect. That was a good wakeup call, and plenty for the coaches to use this week. Nothing personal, techies, but you’re heading into the perfect storm. Final score: UT 62, TT 13.
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Steven,
I like your enthusiasm, but your sportsmanship and grasp of the english language leave a lot to be desired. It’s definitely not representative of most Longhorns. No need for 3rd grade insults, TTU is a good school and a good football program, which has the misfortune of taking a trip to Austin this week. That being said, I still stand with my call: UT 62 TT 13.
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I was going to make some bevo burgers but I was scared I would get mad cow from old bevo. Poor little mad shorthorns.
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You shorthorn fans really get your panties in a wad when you play Tech. I love it. You pot heads really entertain me. You talk about all the times you have beaten us in the past. Well, Tech is a better team now than it was in the years long ago. I do believe you are just a little afraid of Tech. Why else would you post all your negative thoughts on a Tech site? Maybe you tu fans on here are rejected on the tu site. I love to watch your old man coach beg and argue with the refs. It makes me laugh to watch smackin mack get his panties in a wod on the sideline. By the way, have you seen the most recent Texas Monthly? It says that Leach may very well be the best college coach in America. Eat your heart out. Keep Austin weird and your football players in orange jumpsuits. Smackin Mack can post bond for them Saturday morning.
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TruthBeTold, welcome to our lively blog.
Make no mistake we Raider fans know that on Saturday we will face our biggest challenge not just so far but most likely for the season. UT is very tough at home (just as the Raiders) but the spotlight is not shining our way for this game which has always been to our benefit. I believe College GameDay is attending because of the great unknown which is Red Raider Football coming to play the #2 team in the nation. CG could have always gone to Florida or USC but how much fun would that have been. CG understands the offensive capability Tech has when they rise to the occasion. I only hope the UT players and coaching staff underestimate the Raiders as do the UT fans coming to this site.
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Sorry, I misspelled wad in one sentence. Don’t want the tu fans to think I don’t know how to spell.
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Remember you TU fans- It is the Texas Shorthorns or Ohio State Longhorns what ever you choose! Maybe it should be the Cal Berkley Longhorns! Yes thats it, it fits with the liberal philosophy of Austin. Don’t forget your bong pipes now, yall hear!
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I just love when I read a board and can’t tell if it is aggies or tech fans writing. Please, stop with the “horns down” and saw em off crap, tech fans, you are better than that and by the way, it makes you and the aggies look one in the same. I don’t think anyone would want that comparison. This will be a good game and I think both teams respect each other. Last year was last year and this year will be different. I don’t think either team is concerned about what happened last year. I think most tech fans are good and I am glad Leach stayed, that ruined the aggies Christmas with list!
Hook Em
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Well at least Tech and UT fans can agree that the Aggies suck balls! Really looking forward to Tech coming through yet again to deflate the hopes of one of the top ranked teams in the nation. Here’s to upsets! Wreck ‘em Tech!
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2008 Tech 39- Texas 33 everyone said we had a very good chance to win and Tech pulled if off. With smash mouth football.
2009 Everyone states Tech has no chance.
Tech not ranked, under rated, overachieving, I like our chances….Be afraid horns be very afraid…..
Short Horns: Ranked 2nd in the nation, better athletes, at home, larger fan base, big money, UT better win, if they don’t Monday will be a beautiful day, as I will be rubbing it in on the overrated under achieving short horns.
GO FIGHT WIN, Wreck’em Texas Tech!!!!
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I’m going to go out on a limb here and prognosticate that Potts will be Leach’s first QB (at Tech) that will actually get drafted.
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