Tech notes: Two still out, two return

Texas Tech defensive ends Brandon Sharpe and Ryan Haliburton, both of whom missed Saturday’s game at Texas, returned to practice Tuesday night, the first team’s first heavy workday of the week.

Tech workouts are closed, but Sharpe and Haliburton were both in pads like their teammates as they left the field.

Meanwhile, defensive end Ra’Jon Henley and safety Franklin Mitchem, both starters, apparently are not back yet. Both were doing conditioning work in the treadmills area of the Tech football facility as the practice was winding down.

Why a change at ‘Y’?

Tech coach Mike Leach raised eyebrows Monday by saying freshman Austin Zouzalik was the team’s No. 1 “Y’’ inside receiver. That’s where Detron Lewis, who caught 71 passes last year, lines up.

After Tuesday’s workout, inside receivers coach Lincoln Riley said Zouzalik is playing the better of the two, and Lewis’ absence in the second half Saturday wasn’t linked to the leg injury he suffered the week before.

“Detron, if he gets his head on straight and does what we’ve coached him to do, then he’s going to be a good player,’’ Riley said. “He’s obviously very explosive, but it doesn’t matter how explosive you are if you aren’t in the right spot.’’

In the first half Saturday, Riley said receivers had fundamental lapses such as not running routes at the right depth and not getting to the right spots on the field. He said Zouzalik wasn’t perfect, but was better at it than others.

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Comments

  • WhoMe? said:

    Houston 41 Tech 13

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  • portlandraider said:

    Tech 77 Houston 21

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  • Mike said:

    “Houston 41 Tech 13″

    Hahaha… you’re kidding right? All you guys have done is beat the most over-rated team in the history of the Big XII.

    Tech 84 Houston 0

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  • Bob said:

    Houston 83, Texas Tech 42

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  • TRO said:

    Tech 42 – Houston 41

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  • raider-jd said:

    What has happened to this web page ? now we have more Houston fans than Tech fans ? yeah Houston beat Oakie Lite, but did anyone see how Oakie Lite struggled with Rice ?? Tech will beat Houston without any trouble.
    I know exactly what coach Riley is talking about regarding Detron. On several occasions he was not in the spot that Potts thought he was supposed to be. Detron is very talented , I’m sure he’ll get it straightened out. Tech 42 Houston 21.

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  • Sam said:

    Why do no. 11 and no. 17 need to be motivated by losing their starting spots on the team? I can’t understand how you could have the opportunity those guys have and not make the most of it.

    I am happy that the coaches are handling this problem differently than they did with J. Hicks and Robert Johnson. I think missing the opportunity to start will have a more positive impact on these guys than the ice cream party did back then.

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  • RaiderBF said:

    Houston is very close to College Station, it must factor in to their delusional fans.

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  • Lee said:

    Houston is going to get a wake up call this weekend….

    If Leach and the Air Raid want to put 50 plus on the kitties… they can do it.

    Then they will fall out of the top 25…. hope you enjoyed your stay.

    Tech 56…….. Cougar High24

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  • Elmer L. Wlson said:

    Good expected news that Sharpe & Halliburton are back practicing. I simply believe that the game in Houston could be really exciting and hopefully be another step toward showing an improved attitude by the Raiders. Following Oklahoma and Mississippi in ‘08/’09, the Coaching Staff was in dire need of instilling that attitude change with their team…….and making sure it “showed”…..to all of us! It certainly did in Austin! Although it doesn’t tie directly to this writeup, I’ll simply still say that Tech pride, Tech aggressiveness, Tech selfishness, even, are all necessary parts of moving forward & upward in the Big12 South, and the Big12 in whole! GO TECH! nmredraider1

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  • Cory said:

    Wow…ya think the coaches are trying to get into Detron’s head?

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  • sonny said:

    Here a quote from Houston Coach:

    ““We also appreciate it if everyone Saturday night will be as loud as humanly possible. If anyone watched the game in Austin last Saturday, (Texas) Tech had a little problem early in the game with some false-start penalties. The crowd can really affect how teams on the road communicate. This is my public plea to have a little help from our fans. If they can create a little more noise, we would appreciate it.”

    Our raiders need to be prepared for the most important game in Houstons recent history. For Houston this is there TEXAS vs TECH game of last year. The cougars are hyped and there crowd will be like a crazy high school bleacher crowd with 32,000 screaming, right on the field, supporters.

    Wreck ‘em Tech

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  • pnhndlcwby said:

    It’s pretty hard to run another teams offense against that team’s defense. In this case Houston will have a great deal of difficulty moving the ball and an even harder time stopping Tech from scoring. I predict a sizable victory. Tech wins by at least 2 touchdowns and the defense gets 3 sacks minimum. Tech 42 – Houston 21; Potts 400+ yrds; Tech has 100 yds rushing for the first time this year. There will be fireworks so enjoy the show.

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  • Debbie Roobaert said:

    Tech needs to be ready for U of H. They are a good team and very motivated. I live in Houston and they have been getting ready for us since their trip home from Stillwater. They do have former Tech coaches on their staff and will have knowledge of our offense as well. They are convinced that they are the University of Texas this week! Tech fans need to come out and be loud as well. We certainly don’t need to get cocky. I hope Tech comes into Houston with alot of attutude and confidence. The Houston Chronicle, not known to ever support Tech, had a fantastic article about Tech after the Texas game. We just need to stay focussed and continue to get better and stronger! GO TECH!

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  • Ray said:

    So, I not going to say UH is not a good time this year. They are, but to sit here act like you are the best team since the invention of football is ridiculous. This is the first time UH has been ranked since 1991, dont be so cocky.

    A Texas fan gave me interest insight the other day…you win just as humbly as you loss – learn something UH. Especially coming from a Tech fan, one day you’re on top the next day no one cares about you.

    Please note the humble lossing does not apply to Tech because admit it…we’re jerks either way. Thats what makes me happy. :-)

    Just be nice and go post on the Cougars.com

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  • BevoBurgers said:

    Tech 43 Houston 10. Sorry to burst your bubble, cant wait for the over……rated cheer to take place.

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  • Greg said:

    If UH is so over-rated, why are they ranked and we’re not? All I have to say is I hope that our team isn’t as full of themselves as the fans on this board or we’re done for.

    UH has a good team this year. Get over yourselves and prove all of your rhetoric on the field.

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  • Herman Snerd said:

    Ya know what’s total crap? After Tech WRECKS the Kitties this Saturday, we’ll still not be ranked…

    I freakin’ HATE the BCS and everything that it stands for.

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  • h . culver said:

    Tech sould beat Houston , however , they must not have A let down . Tech should be encouraged by playing Texas so hard . Tech was on A emotional high going to Austin , trying to prove that last year was no fluke . Now , they must prove that they belong with the big boys . If they lose to Houston , they cannot blame anyone but themselves . Houston is building up their football program and if they beat Tech it will only prove one thing : Tech is not ready for the spot light .

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  • Bowl Championship Series said:

    Hey Herman Snerd, we don’t like you either.

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  • TITO said:

    CAN TECH WIN? YES

    CAN TECH WIN BIG? YES

    CAN TECH LOSE? YES

    This week it is all about attitude. Tech has the Team to go in to Houston and win 70-13. But if they come out like they did against Baylor or Ole Miss last year, its going to be a long night. I am ready to see what kind of attitude and intensity Tech will have come Saturday night

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  • Country Mart said:

    one play at a time, one game at a time, Do your job the right way over and over and over again: Then the victory bells will ring out!
    Wreck em Tech!

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  • ttrr said:

    All this smoke and mirror is nothing more than arena football Last year was the year but the cotton was to high.
    Love you Tech win or lose After the U of H / OSU game I didn’t give Tech a chance.. Tech big against Houston
    Get your guns up

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  • weaver22 said:

    This will be a tough game for our boys, but believe that the Cougars will pull it out

    Okie State though they were hot stuff, too

    The Brig 12 is pretty weak this year

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  • Robey said:

    “What has happened to this web page ? now we have more Houston fans than Tech fans ?”

    Those aren’t real Houston fans. They’re just trash talking, band-wagon jumping t-shirt fans. Either that or 12 year-olds with nothing better to do.

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  • Robey said:

    “The Brig 12 is pretty weak this year”

    You can’t be serious. Do you even watch college football?

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