Texas Tech Football Notebook
Doege debuts
Texas Tech quarterback Seth Doege completed 14 of 28 passes in his first career start. He threw for 159 yards and a touchdown, but Tech coach Mike Leach went back to original starter Taylor Potts with the game tied 14-14 at halftime.
Doege didn’t get the team across midfield on five of the first six possessions. He was sacked five times and knocked down several more.
“I think Doege’s well ahead of schedule,’’ Leach said. “The toughest thing is there’s this area where experience meets confidence and all those things. The biggest thing is (he needs) more reps, you know?’’
Leach said Doege practiced well during the week.
“In the game, as it started moving faster, he’s a conscientious guy and he didn’t want to make a mistake,’’ Leach said. “So I think things moved slowly, and our tempo was slower than it should have been.’’
Doege lost two fumbles deep in his own territory, one when he was sacked by quick pressure and the other when he held the football too long.
Asked if Doege’s ball security factored into the decision to replace him, Leach said, “It was a problem, but I don’t think he was protected as well. I thought our line played better in the second half.”
Potts was 11 of 19 for 94 yards.
Up to the challenge
Tech held Kansas receiver Kerry Meier to three catches for 32 yards.
Kansas' Kerry Meier (10) fumbles the ball at the tackle of Texas Tech's LaRon Moore (28) and Franklin Mitchem during their game Oct, 31, 2009 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. (Merissa Ferguson/Lubbock Avalanche-Journal)
Texas Tech defensive coordinator Ruffin McNeill gives a thumbs up to the crowd after Tech's 42-21 victory over KU at Jones AT&T Stadium Saturday afternoon. (John A. Bowersmith/Lubbock Avalanche-Journal)
That’s well below average for Meier, who ranked second in the nation in receptions per game. Meier had caught at least four passes 10 games in a row and had a three-game streak of 100-yard efforts snapped last week in a loss to Oklahoma.
Often, the responsibility for covering Meier fell to senior Julius Howard, who just moved to safety from outside linebacker this season.
“He just ended up being the inside receiver,’’ Howard said, “so a lot of times I was on him or No. 24, (Bradley) McDougald. They’re both real good athletes, so they were fun to guard.’’
Recent injuries to safeties Will Ford and Brett Dewhurst caused D.J. Johnson to take Ford’s spot at nickel back and Howard to get onto the field in six-defensive back packages. Since three- and four-receiver sets are a staple for Kansas, Tech spent much of the game in nickel and dime packages, which cost linebacker Bront Bird playing time.
“I’m always fired up,’’ Howard said. “I’m always ready. So whenever the opportunity presents itself, I’m ready to go. I was just getting ready for the next opponent, not (Meier), just because he’s out there.’’
Sharpe stands out
Tech defensive end Brandon Sharpe had another 2 ½ sacks, giving him eight in the last four games. That brings his season total to 10 ½, which ties for fifth on the Tech single-season chart with Calvin
“Schooley Baby’’ Riggs (1986) and Montae Reagor (1997).
Sharpe has a shot at the Tech record of 14 sacks set six years ago by Adell Duckett. The senior from Lyons, Ga., was a fringe player last season.
“I’m just thankful for all I’m blessed with,’’ Sharpe said. “I just hope I can keep on playing hard and there’s more to come. I’m trying to just work hard.’’
More get hurt
Tech’s injury list added more names Saturday. Backup middle linebacker Sam Fehoko left the game with an apparent shoulder injury and did not return.
Offensive guard Brandon Carter left on Tech’s second play from scrimmage. Carter had his left thigh wrapped by trainers, but missed seven series before returning late in the first half. Carter played nearly the entire second half, but hopped off late favoring the same injured leg.
Tech does not disclose information on the nature or severity of injuries.
In brief
Tech swept Big 12 North Division opponents Kansas State, Nebraska and Kansas for the second year in a row. That’s a turnaround from the 2006-07 seasons, when Tech went 2-4 against the North, losing to Colorado and Missouri those years. … Kansas wore blue pants for the first time since the 2004 season. The Jayhawks have worn gray or white pants since their relationship with Adidas began in 2005. … Tech coach Mike Leach’s record the week after a loss improved to 30-8. … Kansas WR Dezmon Briscoe reached 100 receiving yards for the ninth time in his last 11 games. … Kansas QB Todd Reesing moved into sixth place on the Big 12 career total offense list, passing former Iowa State QB Bret Meyer who finished with 10,422 yards.
Compiled by Don Williams
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Leach also tied Spike Dykes in wins as head coach!
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Thought Doege played well considering his inexperince, could have done better if the o line was more healthy, good effort all the way around and lot of heare, good to see the players and coaches happy, too bad didnt see that kind of effort last week, we are real proud of our Raiders, you will hear people talking about the Raiders pretty much everywhere , restraunts, banks, etc, we take pride in our team, please dont ever play a game like you did last week
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This season is beyond hard to figure. For the first time, Leach spent 3 years grooming the wrong QB. Then he drowns Nebraska at their place. Then he gets down to his number 3. Then the defense plays the worst game of the Leach era and he loses at home by 22 to a team he is favored to beat by 21. Then the defense returns. All 3 remaining games are winnable. (Wish we had been in Stillwater last night–they were awful.) Hopefully the new #1 will return. This is a good week to have a bye. Stay tuned.
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I really wished I Coud have seen Doege start. From this article he sounded like a RS player, which is expected so I am not going to bust his chops, adn since I didnt get to see him play I really hav eno room to talk. It sucks to see Carter get hurt like that, but what a champ for playing it out though! I also liked his no make-up adn hairdo job on Halloween, caught lots of us offguard!
Enjoy your week of guys and heal up! Keep your head up Doege, Leach said you were fine, your O line let you down!
Wreck Em
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ANY WORD ON WILL FORD….THAT GUY IS GREAT. LET’S GET HIM HEALTHY. BRONT BIRD NEEDS LESS PRESS TIME AND MORE HUSTLE. CMON SON YOU ARE BEGGINNING TO LOOK LIKE DUNCAN.
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Of course it doesn’t help now, but half the team was sick during the A&M game. Brandon Sharpe spent most of that game throwing up on the sidelines, fwiw. And you’d never know it b/c coach leach doesn’t use excuses like the butterteeth in Austin.
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The defense played awesome. I thought Potts did a good job taking what the defense gave him and did not try to come in and force things.
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Potts did a great job of managing the game. Remember, Leach allows his qb’s to check out of plays and when Potts saw the blitz was coming he checked them and handed the ball off to Batch. Give Credit where credit is do, Good JOB POTTS!!! Why does everyone refuse to give this Kid credit. He is the #1 QB. Remember he has beaten out Stix for two straight years. Get over it, Potts is the better qb if the team plays with him like they did with him in the second half. He is starting to look healthy again (maybe he is getting over the concusion) and is starting to get his confidence back up. Ohh and by the way, Doege isnt the only QB to have a bad game because of poor o-line effort. Why do you think that two of our three qb’s are or have been hurt this season. Bottom Line is….It doesnt matter who the qb is, neither one of them will be effective if they cannot get protection from the O-line.
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Agree, Raider4Life.
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The work of the Defense should have given Potts more than average confidence! A smart, decent QB would be NUTS not to gain confidence in that situation Saturday! Potts had an overall good afternoon. With all the negative he’s received, Leach had to be pleased w/ Potts’ overall response! This off-week SHOULD help. If this Defense plays near what it did vs. KU, the D can beat the O-kie State O! For sure! GO TECH!
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