More changes coming for Tech linemen, but they’re used to it
Texas Tech normally has nine or 10 offensive linemen on its travel squad, and line coach Matt Moore says every one of them practices as if he’s going to be a starter that week.
It’s a good thing.
Last week, center Justin Keown and tackle Chris Olson became de facto starters before the Red Raiders had run a dozen plays in their 31-10 win at Nebraska. Actual first-teamers Shawn Byrnes and Terry McDaniel got hurt on back-to-back plays on the second series, not to return.
That was maybe the most drastic example of the Tech line having to adjust on the fly, but hardly a first this season.
“I was really proud of the guys the way they played and how hard they played, with good technique and (being) very physical,” Moore said. “It’s tough when you’re constantly moving people around and not able to get five guys that can work together every week. But these guys have overcome it, and they’ve all gotten close. If something happens and somebody can’t go, nobody blinks an eye and the next guy steps up and starts battling.”
This week against Texas A&M, Moore will start his seventh line combination in eight games with Keown starting for the second time in three weeks and true freshman LaAdrian Waddle starting in his college debut.
Waddle will open at right tackle, where he’s worked since preseason camp, and veteran right tackle Marlon Winn will move to left tackle, where he last played in a game his sophomore year. The 6-foot-6, 350-pound Waddle was so impressive in August practices that Tech coaches strongly considered playing him from the beginning this season.
“It’s just one of those things where he kept improving, kept improving, kept learning the offense,’’ Moore said. “That’s why we have Thursday night football (scrimmages for young players). He was getting 30 or 40 reps there every week. He’s been getting better and better, and with Terry getting hurt, I was looking for answers and that’s the answer I’ve come up with. He’s looked good in practice, so I’m going with him.’’
Tech coaches kept Waddle redshirted through seven games, but now that the decision has been made to use him, he’ll be used a lot.
“I wouldn’t burn a guy’s redshirt just to get reps and be a backup,’’ Moore said.
There’s some irony in who Waddle will debut against. He grew up about an hour south of Texas A&M in Columbus. A cousin, Percy Waddle, followed one of the most prolific pass-catching careers in Texas schoolboy history by playing for the Aggies in the mid-1980s.
In keeping with Tech coach Mike Leach’s injury policy, Moore did not discuss McDaniel’s situation. By appearances, the redshirt freshman left tackle looks to have a multi-week injury. He’s been on crutches this week with his right knee in a brace.
The Raiders keep making the best of the weekly shuffling, ranking second in the nation in passing offense and scoring offense and third in total offense.
Moore’s first two years at Tech were much more settled. Last year, guard Louis Vasquez missed two starts in non-conference play, and that was the only shakeup in the starting five in an 11-2 season. The year before was nearly as trouble-free.
Moore knew it couldn’t last.
“For as long as I’ve been around the game, it always seems to come in bunches,” he said. “You have really healthy (seasons) one year, and the next year you have a bunch (of changes). But they’re going to step up every snap, no matter if it’s the first-team guy, second-team guy, third-team guy.
“That’s the way coach Leach coaches them to be. We’re not going to make excuses for anything. We’re just going to go out there and keep working. That’s what he’s instilled in this team, and it’s showing right now.’’
Winn is the only offensive lineman to start every game, increasing his consecutive starts streak to 28. The Raiders will be counting on his experience as he switches from the right side to the left. He has taken practice snaps periodically at left tackle.
“He’s not a total stranger to that,’’ Moore said.
The changes haven’t all been triggered by injury. There was a battle between McDaniel and Olson for left tackle, a wait to see which of two sophomore guards — Lonnie Edwards or Mickey Okafor — would emerge and a one-game suspension for guard Brandon Carter.
Subbing recently for Byrnes, Keown has earned trust at center. The sophomore from South Carolina had a major challenge last week with the reputation of Nebraska’s defensive tackles.
“He played well, especially against those two good inside guys,’’ Moore said. “The biggest thing is he didn’t make any mistakes as far as calling fronts and communicating, which was the biggest concern.’’
To comment on this story:
don.williams@lubbockonline.com l 766-8734
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All this positive news of late dealing with the two Lines, is a great thing to read. Heartening, for sure! In a way, this seems like a break from the Raider past. An emphasis on either Line, O or D, is pretty much where it all starts, huh? Also, the really big-time programs possess Lines that can absolutely make and break games. Way to go, Coaches! ‘Lookin’ up! GO TECH!
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What a great reflection on Coach Moore! Way to go coach – keep it up!
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anything to take up space….seriously who care but nobuidy
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A strong O-Line is exactly what TTech needs right now. Especially with A&M’s Von Miller leading the nation with 9 sacks.
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Correction:
Von Miller leads the nation with 10 sacks not 9 as previously stated.
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_pitbull,
The game of American football is played on the line, It may not look like much, but that is where the real excitement is!
See YOU at the Jones!
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Von miller has only 1 sack in Big XII, the rest came OOC games where the teams were less thatm stellar
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Von Miller is nothing but a dirtbag, cheap shot artist. Don’t think that the offensive line won’t remember his blatant cheap shot on Harrell two years ago in Lubbock.
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I went to preschool with a girl named “Von”
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OK, this is why Aggie jokes started in the first place.
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It’s time for payback, bucko! The farmers are gonna plow over you.
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yeah- this is what I am talking about, if the Football Aggies will ONLY show half the effort the fans do victory will be a like taking candy from a baby!!!
If UT can administer a texas beat down to these lowly recuited fellas playing only two quarters in their recent game imagine what the 12th man spirit will do playing four? victory is ours- aTm 39 this school 13.
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Now THAT’S funny!
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What’s funny is that your second rate school doesn’t even have an engineering program. You do the math. Go Marooooooon!!!
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I am not sure about the engineering school, but it is a fact come saturday there will more clowns wearing red in that dump they call a stadium than hairs on a bare
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“I am not sure about the engineering school, but it is a fact come saturday there will more clowns wearing red in that dump they call a stadium than hairs on a bare “
Hairs on a bare what? Given the definition of the word “bare” this doesn’t sound like many hairs. Kind of blows up your analogy when you can’t spell.
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Tabor said:
Von Miller is nothing but a dirtbag, cheap shot artist. Don’t think that the offensive line won’t remember his blatant cheap shot on Harrell two years ago in Lubbock.
Ahhh, Brings back old memories of the SWC. Remember 1976? Heisman front runner Texas Tech QB Rodney Allison took a cheap shot from the A&M defense. They got a 15 yeard penalty. Then 2 plays later they did the same thing again, and broke his leg. Ruined Tech’s season, Allison’s likely Heisman trophy, and Allison’s Pro career went by the way side. We need to keep an extra goal post ready for this game.
Wreckem Texas Tech
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Aggie graduate said:
What’s funny is that your second rate school doesn’t even have an engineering program. You do the math. Go Marooooooon!!!
Doesnt have an Engineering school. What a fool. Its obvious that you cant do the math Gomer. A&M needs to learn how the engineer a good football team. It gets boring watching Tech mow you morons down every year. At least learn to make the game a little more exciting.
Texas Tech will Wreck A&M
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Aggieland said:
It’s time for payback, bucko! The farmers are gonna plow over you.
We already beat down the farmers (Huskers). Now we are going to really beat down the Gomers. You can take that one to the bank mr Aggieland. You are doomed, and you already know it.
Tech 56 – A&M 17
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Yes, yes… go tech… win and get ranked so that Texas looks better in the eyes of the BCS people. We need to have beaten as many ranked teams as possible to solidify our chance to play in the BCS Championship game. So, get your guns up and wreak the morons and white…
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“The Aggie War Hymn”
Oh no, What the heck! What the heck!
Oh me, its Texas Tech! What the heck!
All hell will befall poor old Texas A & M,
Rally around the Moron in White,
Bad luck will be fall the dear old Texas Aggies,
They are the boys who are showed up by men.
That good old Aggie spirit will fade again
And makes us yell and yell and yell;
So let’s fight for dear old Texas A & M,
We’re goin’ beat you all to–
Tomorrow, Tomorrow, Theres always Tomorrow!
Chig-gar-roo-gar-rem!
Soft! Weak! We are a tad mild and meek! Texas A & M!
“The Spirit of Aggieland”
Sorry, We are a might unspirited at this time. Please get back to us.
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The broken leg is what LAUNCHED Allison’s career as he was 2nd string and the supposedly better (taller, harder throwing) pro prospect Tommy Duniven was 1st string. Duniven played a few years with the Oilers. Allison in the CFL. Allison had a great game that day in College Station and almost singlehandedly won the game . The only away game I ever traveled to other than the Bluebonnet Bowl against Nebraska later that yr. It was an excellent decision for a freshman. Very enjoyable day in a cheap end zone seat. JH
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Hey East, that was funny…
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East Techsan, that was so unnecessary. What you posted has nothing to do with the content of the article. Dude, get a life. Please leave.
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Mike, who are you to tell me whats neccessary. If you dont like smack then stay off the message boards. I dont know if you have noticed, but not all posts are about the article. You get a life you Liberal.
Wreckem Texas Tech
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JAMES HENSHAW said:
The broken leg is what LAUNCHED Allison’s career as he was 2nd string and the supposedly better (taller, harder throwing) pro prospect Tommy Duniven was 1st string. Duniven played a few years with the Oilers. Allison in the CFL. Allison had a great game that day in College Station and almost singlehandedly won the game . The only away game I ever traveled to other than the Bluebonnet Bowl against Nebraska later that yr. It was an excellent decision for a freshman. Very enjoyable day in a cheap end zone seat. JH
James,
As I remember it, Allison was the starting QB in 1976. I was only 14 yrs old at the time, but I attended all of the home games. I reviewed Texas Tech Season In Review 1976 and there are video clips of Rodney Allison tearing up the field with UT, and SMU. Both of those games came after the A&M game. I believe that it was 1977 when the Aggies took out Allison. I could be wrong.
Wreckem Texas Tech
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We need to stick to the content of the article and comment accordingly. Why is that so hard to do? And besides, I call people out whenever I deem necessary.
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Mike said:
We need to stick to the content of the article and comment accordingly. Why is that so hard to do? And besides, I call people out whenever I deem necessary.
What makes you the full hot orator. Just because you do something a certain way doesnt make it law. You definitely sound like a Liberal to me.
Wreckem Texas Tech
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Whatever dude, just leave.
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Your right . Allison did play all of 76…the broken leg early in the season at A&M (away game ) was Duniven’s leg. Can’t remember the 77 home game. JH
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Yes, yes… go tech… win and get ranked so that Texas looks better in the eyes of the BCS people. We need to have beaten as many ranked teams as possible to solidify our chance to play in the BCS Championship game. So, get your guns up and wreak the morons and white…
Texas;
We’ll do our part but I think your own team will let yourself down when A&M will eat your turkey…
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Aggie grad, this is about football, not what the schools have to offer. The Aggies will go down like the Titanic on Saturday, just like they do every year.
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Too bad some of you aggies can’t even spell. Says a lot about your cult school. I so love to see the gaggies lose. Your cheerleaders look so stupid. Yes, I know you call them yell leaders. They are still dumb looking.
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Gaggies, if you think our stadium is a dump, why don’t you stay out of it. All you do is stink it up. We don’t want you morons there anyway.
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