Effort much improved from last week as defense leads way to win
For the Texas Tech defense, four words summed up the day: That’s more like it.
Coming off an embarrassing no-show the week before against Texas A&M, the Tech defense dominated Kansas, and the Red Raiders posted a 42-21 victory Saturday at Jones AT&T Stadium in a game they trailed 21-14 after three quarters.
Tech (6-3, 3-2 in the Big 12) came up with six sacks and five turnovers, including four inside the Kansas 35-yard line that the Red Raiders turned into touchdowns.
Texas Tech's Jamar Wall (3) drops Kansas' Jake Sharp (1) for a loss during their game Oct, 31, 2009 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. (Merissa Ferguson/Lubbock Avalanche-Journal)
“I think we most definitely respect these guys,’’ middle linebacker Brian Duncan said. “Last week, I don’t think we came out fully respecting (A&M). The fire in our hearts wasn’t there last week, but this week we fixed that in practice. We did different things to kind of get that back.’’
Texas Tech's Marlon Williams sacks KU's Todd Reesing Saturday at Jones AT&T Stadium. Tech beat KU 42-21. (John A. Bowersmith/Lubbock Avalanche-Journal)
Texas Tech's Daniel Howard (53) sacks Kansas' Todd Reesing (5) in return for a Texas Tech fumble during their game Oct, 31, 2009 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. (Merissa Ferguson/Lubbock Avalanche-Journal)
Texas Tech's Daniel Howard (53) sacks Kansas' Todd Reesing (5) in return for a Texas Tech fumble during their game Oct, 31, 2009 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. (Merissa Ferguson/Lubbock Avalanche-Journal)
Kansas (5-3, 1-3) came in with a two-game losing streak, but hit rock bottom against Tech. The Jayhawks managed only 258 yards — they were averaging 475, fifth-best in the nation.
“We went back to basics this week, worked on tackling, worked on pad level,’’ cornerback LaRon Moore said. “We just went out there and played with a passion. I believe that’s what we lacked last week. We kind of wanted to win the game, but we didn’t want to play hard. I think we got that back.’’
With Tech struggling on offense and making another quarterback change — from Seth Doege to Taylor Potts — it looked as if Kansas might get out of town with a win. With defensive tackle Colby Whitlock holding a handful of his jersey, Todd Reesing fired a 6-yard touchdown pass to Dezmon Briscoe, giving the Jayhawks a 21-14 lead as the third quarter ended.
The fourth quarter was all Tech.
Baron Batch highlighted Tech’s 28-point outburst with three touchdowns, but he had plenty of help. His 1-yard touchdown with 11:06 left tied the score at 21, and then Moore made two game-changing plays in four minutes. Three plays after the Batch TD, with Moore hanging on to him, Kansas receiver Kerry Meier lost a fumble and safety Franklin Mitchem recovered at the KU 23-yard line.
That led to a three-play scoring drive, and then Moore took care of the scoring himself the next time the ball came his way. Down a touchdown with just over 7 minutes left, Kansas decided to go for it on fourth-and-1 from its own 31.
But Reesing dropped the snap, and running back Toben Opurum batted the ball out to the left. A player from each team dove for the recovery before the ball finally bounced into Moore’s hands. He had an easy path to a 31-yard touchdown that gave Tech a 35-21 lead.
That came at the 7:10 mark, and the Raiders got their last touchdown with 2:05 to go after Gerry Acevedo recovered a muffed punt at the Kansas 19.
“I was proud of the way our defense stepped it up,’’ Tech coach Mike Leach said, “because our defense had played really well for two weeks, then they played as bad as you can play last week. Then they played good this week.’’
Meier had a 10-game streak of at least four receptions snapped, and Reesing was replaced in the fourth quarter with 181 yards passing, his fifth-lowest output in 34 career starts.
Reesing’s second-lowest total was in last year’s 63-21 loss to Tech.
“The idea was we’re a defense that kind of fakes blitzes and stuff like that,’’ Duncan said. “We throw the offense off with our movement. We knew that if we moved or if our outside linebackers moved around, it would just throw them off, because they like to (audible). They look to the sideline. We move one place and then switch back. It just messes them up.’’
The defenses took turns ringing the bell in the first half. Early on, the Jayhawks chewed up Tech’s patchwork offensive line, making Doege’s first career start unpleasant. On Tech’s second series, defensive end Maxwell Onyegbule picked up a fumble and stepped into the end zone for a 3-yard touchdown.
Tackle Marlon Winn whiffed on defensive end Jeff Wheeler, who beat him to the inside and blasted Doege from behind. Doege, who was sacked five times, couldn’t get the team across midfield on five of Tech’s first six possessions, but he did mix in a 61-yard touchdown pass to Detron Lewis that tied it at 7.
Then the Tech defense made another big play. Defensive end Daniel Howard nimbly hurdled an offensive tackle who was trying to cut-block him and smashed Reesing. The ball came loose, and Richard Jones had a chance for a defensive-tackle’s dream touchdown. Jones got the recovery, but stumbled to the KU 6, positioning Batch for the first of his four touchdowns at 3:05 before halftime.
Tech couldn’t make it to intermission with the lead, though.
With Tech backed up to its 9 after a punt, Doege was tucked into an OK pocket, but end Jake Laptad came off his block and tomahawk-chopped the ball out of Doege’s hand. After the ball was batted around, safety Lubbock Smith returned the fumble to the 2 and the Jayhawks got even when Opurum shoved his way into the end zone.
The game hung in the balance for much of the third quarter, partly because Tech kept playing timely defense. A roughing-the-punter penalty and a long interception return gave Kansas first downs at the Tech 46- and 47-yard lines.
Instead of being deflated, the Raiders forced three-and-outs each time.
They kept waiting for a flood of points to reward their effort.
In the fourth quarter, the flood finally came.
To comment on this story:
don.williams@lubbockonline.com uE06C 766-8734
courtney.linehan@lubbockonline.com uE06C 766-8735
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Way to go Raiders.
A complete came on all 3 sides of the ball, but most especially on the special teams and defense.
Some great character was shown by these young men, and leadership by Potts!
Hats off to the coaches too!
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Marlon Winn needs to go to the bench! He is the reason for injuries to Potts, Stix, and Doege’s multiple fumbles. The offense will begin to show some consistency if we can find someone to play in his spot. When there is pressure you will find #67 helping the QB up off the turf. Bench him!
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I’m happy and proud of for the defense this week. If its wasn’t for them, the offense would have never got on the board. Good job going to the run Leach because your passing offense sucks right now. PLEASE GET WELL STICKS!!!
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I’m happy and proud for the defense this week. If it wasn’t for them giving the offense great field position, they most likely wouldn’t have got on the board. Good job going to the run Leach… “STICKS PLEASE GET WELL SOON!!!”
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Game balls: defense, special teams, and Batch.
The defense played inspired…great pass rush and hitting.
After watching many years of Tech football, this may have been the best kickoff coverage and punt coverage I’ve ever seen.
Doege played decent. The O-line didn’t give him much help. He just needs more reps against live competition. The clock in his head needs to “ding” at 4 seconds so he can get rid of the ball.
Potts was OK. His throws were high but he made adjustments. Checking down and handing off the Batch made his job simple.
Torres is looking better and better. The kid could be a stud before long.
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Does any other team allow the qb’s to change/call plays as much as TT does? Harrell was the master, but Potts did an unbelievable job going to Batch at the right time this week.
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Potts is a good qb for the Tech O, his mechanics need work he does a good job reading the defense. He is like a baseball pitcher when he tries to overthrow he will loses control of the ball and it sails on him. Tech O is more about precise routes and delivery.
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I only got to watch the 2nd. When I seen it was 14-14 at half I was terrified; so what happened. This article makes it sound as if Techs defense was a brick wall. The second half I can say they did look great pressuring Reesing and causing the fumbles.
While following along with the AJ here on the site, Courtney told me that Doege was not producing in the first half. So maybe our D did well and the RS QB was the issue, but I don’t know. Either way I was impressed with the 2nd half D.
Enjoy your break guys!
Wreck Em
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I thought I would never see TTU’s defense show up all 4qtrs…beginning to end…I was wrong…They have kept a struggling offense in games all year but one….
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Was this a game or a closed practice? Sure were many empty seats in the stands. Not only does Tech have the worst fans, Tech has the worst fair weather fans. “Potts still sucks” is a perfect example of the low brow sub 30-year-old fans that make Tech look so bad. Did “Sux” even go to the game?
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Guns up said: “When I seen it was 14-14 at half I was terrified.” We have established the grammatical standard for Tech right there.
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Nice work Painfully an Idiot. The only thing obvious is you have zero ties to Texas Tech so move on. There are less and less Red Raider haters so round up your 1 friend and you two can bash Tech in your Mom’s basement. It must “sux” for you since Tech is headed in the right direction.
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For all of you that think that playing QB is easy then maybe you should enroll in school and try it for yourself. Its not that easy. It is one thing to say that the team sucks but , to attack an individual, thats not cool in anybodys book. Taylor Potts took a high profile job that has the pressure of Tech fans worldwide to bring us to prominence and success. He has been subpar but to say that he totally sucks is unfair. Remember football is a team sport. I think that someone is not pushing the right button because of other obligations that they deem more important.
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sounds like “potts still sux” needs to try out for QB…..I would be willing to bet he never even played a down of football!!!
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Good win tech, but ahhhhh no sympathy for potts as he is NOT the guy and he generally brings the whole team down. Why feel bad for him??? This is college football and he’s a scholarship athlete; nobody is making him play. If he sucks, which he does, tech fans should Hollar about it. Let’s cut the pansy “poor potts” stuff.
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Move over, is there still room for another pretender? after last night, there is noone including a three headed beast who can stop the horns.
the original guns up in stillwater
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Great write up as always Don.
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Being at the game allows one to watch not only the field but, also the sidelines, The defense looked pumped the entire game and we won because of a great defensive effort. as many times as the offensive gave up the ball the defense got it back. Doege played well for a true freshman with little experience!
As for Potts, he is not a good Div1 QB. He does not throw with authority and seems confused most of the time. I am glad he was wise enough to use Batch. That one lone play up the middle in the fourth quarter was a thing of beauty. Potts will and should be a third team QB next year.
The hit on the KS receiver on the east sidelines was brutal. THe guy stood up and was weaving back and forth before trainers led him off the field. It was the hardest hit I’ve seen at Tech in a while.
Good job Tech
Tech alum
Pejay66
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Hey raider red, you would lose that bet. I would bet you never even played any sport. And painfullyoblivious, I love Tech football and I know Potts is not the right man for the job. Leach did not have them running most of the second half because Potts is such a great QB, he ran because Potts is prone to interception repeats. Thankfully, Batch found the holes in the line and gave it the second effort each run. Defensive was on fire and Wall just made a starting running back rethink his football career. Techfanski, absolutely correct. This is college football, everyone tell it like it is instead of babying the poor full ride to college kid.
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“I was proud of the way our defense stepped it up,’’ Tech coach Mike Leach said, “because our defense had played really well for two weeks, then they played as bad as you can play last week. Then they played good this week.’
Great Job D !!
I know I have been tough on the “D” as of late, BUT they really showed up this week !
Still NOT A FAN of Ruff !
As it has been said on this board many times, Better Talent , More Speed, and Different DC !!
I bet Ruff is pretty sore this morning after all those Chest Bumps on the sideline !!
I thought a couple of time his pants were going to fall OFF !!!
Just Having FUN ! No Harm intended !!
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ACOACH…..AMEN….. YOU MY FRIEND ARE EXACTLY RIGHT. WHO WAS CAPTAIN FOR TAMU GAME??? MARLON WINN….YES THE FANS SHOULD YELL TO BENCH WINN NOT POTTS. HE’S THE CONTRIBUTING FACTOR FOR OUR QB INJURIES. LET YOUNG OLINEMEN WHO WILL HELP US WIN THE BIG 12 IN 2010 GET THE START AND EXPERIENCE.
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O YEA JWALL NICE HIT ON JAKE SHARP…..THAT’S REDRAIDER FB. NUFF SAID.
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I think because of many of the injuries to some key dudes this season, the Coaches have undoubtedly done a pretty good job in patch-working both the D and O! As for some of the grammar here…….especially “I seen”…….NOT GREAT, by any standard. Grammar matters IF we choose to sound off on-line! ‘Seems to me that Potts’ most critical problem is simply throwing high way too often. As for Potts’ EFFORT……..me thinks we might be a little more fair with him. He IS A D-I QB, pure and simple! I personally wish Leach & Co. employed a running QB…………along with his obvious penchant for being a pass guru….could be unstoppable. MOST OF THE TIME! Great job Raiders! You guys have us all proud of your effort! KU isn’t anybody’s pushover! Mark Mangino is also one hell of a Coach! GO TECH!
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“Potts Still Sux”…… you are ignorant to the game of football. Pretty easy for you to talk trash on Potts from the comfort of your home. The reason why Batch found the holes is because Potts did what he suppose to, check to the run when he their is an opportunity. Also, you should be ashamed of your screen name. A “real” Tech fan would not treat a player with that kind of disrespect. Sure….you can be frustrated with a player, but to say he needs to play at WTAM just shows your ignorance. I recall Harrell having a very similar start to his QB career here at Tech too. So here is the deal, when Potts leads this team to a BCS game next year how about you stay at home……we don’t need your fair weather mentality.
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It is so naive of people to support Potts and trash Ruff. One bad defensive day does not a bad DC make – especially when the qb keeps throwing picks. Potts threw 3 INTs to North Dakota! If it weren’t for strong defensive efforts, there’s no way we’d be 6-3 right now. Remember how poorly the offense played at Nebraska in the 2nd half? Who kept us in that game? Ruff and the D. Before that, they held KSU to14 pts. And before that… oh yeah… Potts was the starter, so they had to play on a short field 3-4 times a game.
ALSO – RUFF AND THE D HELD UT TO 340 TOTAL YDS IN AUSTIN!!! To say that he’s a poor coach is ludicrous.
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I am with Mike on that one! Great D. Wreck’Em Tech!
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You either support the whole team or, you’re not a raider fan at all. Go support some other team. Stop ragging on individual players. I’m a true raider fan. I support all of the players all the time even when they make mistakes on the field. Give it a rest. Go support another team if you don’t like the raiders.
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From my perspective, Defense played very well. O-line, not too well. They have to give ANY QB, whether it be Potts, Doege, or Sticks time in the pocket. Doege did Ok, but he is rusty, having not played in 4 years. Give him time, and he’ll be a great pocket qb along the lines of Kingsbury, Cumbie, Harrell. I think Potts played OK as well, I think the cobwebs have cleared from his head, finally. Glad to see him “GiveItToBatch!!!”
Now for a well-deserved off week to heal up, make some of those adjstments, and prepare to give it to OKIE LITE!
GUNS UP!
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There must not be a site for teenaged, t-shirt, wannabee whorn trolls.
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Potts is our guy for now. Leach was wise to give doege a start and see what he could do, but Potts outplayed him. I remember another guy who threw several interceptions in his first few starts- Graham Harrell. We need to get behind Potts and hope he can grab us a few wins until Sticks gets well.
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