‘Nick’ helps Tech clobber OU, 41-13
In the fourth quarter, with Texas Tech driving for its last touchdown, fans in Jones AT&T Stadium’s north end zone were chanting for the Red Raiders quarterback.
Sticks, Sticks, Sticks, they yelled.
At least that’s what Tech tackle Marlon Winn thought.
Maybe they were – or should have been – yelling Nick, Nick, Nick.
Taylor Potts, wearing a jersey bearing the tough-guy nickname Mike Leach gave him, had a smooth Saturday afternoon leading the Red Raiders to a surprisingly easy 41-13 romp against Oklahoma in the regular-season home finale.
“There’s been ups and downs this season,’’ Potts said. “This game was a big high for us.’’
Texas Tech's Baron Batch (25) celebrates his touchdown with Taylor Potts (15) during their game against Oklahoma, Nov, 21, 2009 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. (Merissa Ferguson/Lubbock Avalanche-Journal)
Texas Tech's Alexander Torres pulls down a pass from Taylor Potts in front of Oklahoma's Dominique Franks Saturday afternoon. Tech beat OU 41-13 at Jones AT&T Stadium. (John A. Bowersmith/Lubbock Avalanche-Journal)
Texas Tech running back Baron Batch, right, runs in a touchdown in front of Oklahoma's Adrian Taylor, left, during the first half of their game, Saturday at Jones AT&T Stadium. Batch ran for 136 yards and scored two touch downs during Tech's 41-13 victory. Saturday, November 21, 2009 (Photo by Geoffrey McAllister/Lubbock Avalanche-Journal)
The victory had all sorts of implications for Tech (7-4, 4-3 in the Big 12 Conference). It made the Red Raiders bowl eligible. It gave Leach 83 wins, breaking Spike Dykes’ school record for career coaching victories. It meant that, under Leach’s watch, the Raiders are 9-1 on senior days.
And maybe it was a morale builder for Potts, who at a low point this season heard a home crowd chant “No More Potts.’’
“I’ve heard the fans boo him. I’ve heard people say get him out of there,’’ running back Baron Batch said. “It takes a tough, tough, tough person to be able to withstand all that and come out of that on top, and that’s what he’s done. I’m so proud of him for that. I don’t know how I would have responded in that situation. I don’t know how a lot of people would have responded. But he’s shown he’s mentally tough and he has a lot of heart.’’
For Oklahoma (6-5, 4-3), the 28-point loss tied for third worst in Bob Stoops’ 11-year coaching tenure. The last team to beat OU by at least 28 was Texas’ last national championship team in a 45-12 rout in 2005. The last quarterback was Vince Young.
This OU licking came courtesy of Potts, who trotted out with “Nick’’ stitched onto the back of his jersey. Leach had the name stenciled onto the back of Potts’ practice jersey earlier after his solid performance three weeks ago against Kansas. He thought Potts needed a more masculine given name and chose as the manly archetype Nick Reid, a former all-Big 12 linebacker from Kansas.
Leach said he “always felt like (Reid) personified what a football player is and what a football player should be.’’
“As Potts was going through his tough times, we decided all our players, we’d like them to be more like Nick, and led by Nick would be even better,’’ Leach said. “We figured it wouldn’t hurt us to have a Nick, so now we do.’’
Potts said it was all Leach’s idea. A few moments before, Leach had taken credit for the nickname, but said Potts wanted it on the jersey.
“Well, I guess it was my idea to put it on the jersey,’’ Potts said. “Maybe it was. Maybe I don’t remember.’’
The bearded junior threw an early interception in OU territory, but that was the last one he threw on the way to a 388-yard passing performance.
Three big throws helped the Raiders keep OU winless in Lubbock since 2003. Alex Torres turned a simple stop route and a cornerback’s misplay into a 65-yard gain that set up a short touchdown for Batch. That made the score 10-6 in the middle of the second quarter.
On Tech’s next possession, slot receiver Austin Zouzalik ran to the post and Potts dropped it in over a linebacker’s head for a 21-yard touchdown. Then on the first series of the second half, Torres pulled in Potts’ fade-pattern pass along the end-zone sideline for a 24-yard touchdown and a 24-6 lead.
Oklahoma offered little resistance after two early field goals.
Potts last started and finished a game on Sept. 26 at Houston. Since then he weathered a concussion, the rise of Steven Sheffield and Leach’s vacillation about how to handle his three quarterbacks.
Through the adversity, Winn told Potts to tune out any extreme criticism or praise, a safeguard they term “Surround Sound.’’
“It’s playing more within myself, not letting things get to me on the outside,’’ Potts said. “I’ve tried my best all season not to do that, and I’ve had these guys’ (support), especially Winn. We got some surround sound going. That’s a little joke between us, but it’s true. Listen to my teammates and my coaches, because that’s who’s important, and play like this.’’
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Thanks Potts, I mean Nick!
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Potts shall be ‘Nick’ until further notice…
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What ever it takes to get the job done. Well done Nick.
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All you anti-Potts Raider fans that were mouthing off against Potts these last few weeks, need to open your mouths wide and swallow those words. This was his first year at the helm and you’ll never gave him a chance. The only one that I can remember that was good the only year he started was B.J. Symons.
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Techs highs & lows this year are a simple reflection of how the OL plays. When the big boys protect the QB, the raiders win. When the big boys protect the QB, the passing game opens up the running game and Batch explodes. When the big boys have difficulty protecting Potts, Sticks or Doege….the Raiders lose…end of discussion!
Potts was never the reason for Techs struggles, even Sticks has given up 4 turnovers for defensive scores (2 pick sixes & 2 fumble returns for scores), Doege has 2 fumbles for def. scores in very limited time.
Examine the 4 losses & QB Play:
vs. Texas – Potts play (Good)
vs. Houston – Potts play (good) defense (bad)
vs. A&M – Potts play (bad) defense (very bad)
vs. OSU – Sticks (very bad, pick six the difference) Potts (OK)
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In all of my 30 plus years of following Tech football, this ranks in the really close to Number One Tech game I’ve ever witnessed!!! And most definitely the BEST DAY I’ve had in 2009 (after my wedding day of course)!!!!! Especially loved the team’s JUMP sideline fun.
Thank you 2009 Red Raiders!!!
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The most enjoyable 3.5 hours of the season. Guess that’s three straight “fluky” wins over OU in Lubbock.
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Nick is the stick! everybody did there job together on all sides of the ball! great game!
the season will be complete with a win at jerry’s world against baylor! Hooe we get some
big 10 team in the alamo bowl! get your guns up red raiders!
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Way to go Tech. It was a solid team win. We need to keep having those and next year will be even better. It takes all sides of the ball to play well to be a real contender and we are getting there.
Once again those that boo’d Potts in the past weeks were morons and I am glad to see him have such great game and have the last laugh. Like you never make a dumb decision at your job! Grow up whiners. Let the young men grow and become the players they can be and help them along the way.
Get your guns up!
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I’m soooooooo happy for Taylor er ah Nick! I hope this is a breakout game for him. Offense and defense both played outstanding football for the entire 60 minutes. Great solid victory guys!
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Just to clarify three friends and I started that chant and we were definetely chanting “nick.” We were trying to start it all second half but it finally caught on in the student section in the northeast endzone. Potts I’m a senior so thanks for one of the best games and by far the most fun game Ive been to as a student. Wreckem’
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One game doesn’t define a player Centex Raider. Consistency does!! Here’s to hoping this was a break-out game for the young man. I’d love for it to be, but will reserve my opinion until after the bowl game. Guns up Tech – good win! Enjoy it tonight. Forget it tomorrow and get your minds on Baylor. 8-4 is respectable. 9-3 is would be a great salvage operation to an up & down season.
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No need to eat word those were for Potts. The new QB name that played today is Nick!
May Potts RIP and Long Live Nick!
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I would say that Saint Nick delivered his team and the Tech fans, a gift that will not be forgottten for a long time, with his never die performance against the whinny Bob Stoops and his company of OU misfits. Not only did the Sooners not look like themselves, but I would almost swear that this was a different team playing Tech, not the mighty OU.
The Tech Defence just plainly played Lights Out Football all afternoon, amd looked more like the OU defense than OU’s defense did, lol. Today i bet if Tech were playing Texas, I think that Tech would have won as well. The entire team played that well, and what about Lynwood’s golden foot?
Congradulations Raiders on a Job Well Done!
And thats all I have to say abouut that, and as always, WRECKEM TECH!
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Captain Whinner is Mac Brown and his jailbirds.
As to the sooners, I think the old blank uniforms were not as intimidating.
On trip to game I caught part of a spoof of changing the Big 12 to East West teams versus current North South teams…Any thoughts on that? What about eliminating the non-conference schedules and just play every team? The “Championship” has been really boring more years than not….
Wreck’Em Tech!
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Sometimes it takes a while to get the “cob webs” out after a concussion. Potts was quick and crisp with his decisions today. And remember this was against a much glorified defense. I think he is “back” and ready to do some more damage. But if he has a bad game, let’s get behind him rather than “get in his face” as some have. Arrogance breeds ignorance.
Congratulation Nick!
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Congrats to Nick…this time. However, Sticks is still the starter next season. Potts is just too much of a gun slinger with a poor throwing style that is prone for interceptions. Potts, in reality, should have had 3 picks against him yesterday. Sticks has a much better feel for the game and is a smarter player, not to mention a better leader. Sticks is clearly a much better game manager and a play maker which Potts is not. And as for you, acoach…your analysis is correct, except for Sticks had an excuse for his performance against OSU…3 SCREWS IN HIS ANKLE !!!!! Leach was the bonehead for playing him in that game!!
Go Tech…..Go Sticks!!
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but….but…. it’s the SYSTEM, …NOT the quarterback of the moment!.
Hat’s off to ALL the coaching staff for this tremendous victory!
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Wrong David. Potts earned the job in the Spring, and if he can close out this season with solid performances against Baylor and in the bowl, he should without a doubt be the starter for next year. If he doesn’t, then open up the competition for next Spring, and whoever wins the job wins it and should be the guy barring a total collapse. The worst thing that could come out of this year would be for the QB position to be unsettled going into next year.
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i dont know how many of you remember that after the houston game, i said that Potts would return to what brought him to being a division 1 football QB. He is a good, raw qb and it will take time to hone his skills and reads of the defense. I assume that all the naysayers who doubted him were walking instantly the moment they came out of the womb. I know thats not the case and even after they learned to walk, im sure there were occasional falls. Thus is the case with Potts. It would be wise if we were to support the team totally and respect the decisions of Coach Leach. We have all the elements in place to make next year the National Championship Year. If you think its not possible, then you have the wrong mentality, One must believe that all things are possible. We need to come together in this one common goal and truly believe that with everything within ourselves. A never give up attitude, an entire community literally obsessed with this goal. Thats the chemistry that creates champions. Its easy to get upset at games that we should have won and then start pointing fingers and wanting people fired and sidelined but, wouldnt it be more mature to pick each other up and move forward with the support of the people who are supposed to support you. This year is not monumental but i think it is a step in the right direction. I hope A&M stomps ut. Im tired of seeing that baby diaper color.
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Folks..this is about team performance…key is the defense and o-line play this year….In the past its been a hope by all of us that the defense hold the opponents one of two times and the offense would carry us through….although the qb is certainly key in Tech’s high octaine offense….this year the offense has been inconsistent….even in victories…the defense and o-linehas been inconsistent in all losses. I like “acoach’s” analysis. To give too much credit or blame to one player is unfair to him and the team. One could make the point that Potts threw an interception and overthrew a wide open Torres in the end zone…but we won…if the defense and o-line hadn’t played the way they did we would have heard from many of you about Pott’s mistakes…
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I didn’t get to watch the game yesterday due to unplanned circumstances. I did stay up until three this morning watching the replay on FSSW. Usually when doing that I will wake up to a paid program about some miracle something or another.
Not this time…I was held in awe thinking that I know the outcome already and still want to see it for myself.
Two things are evident here:
Tech players were focused and ready. The homework was done.
OU thought this was going to be a cakewalk. It happens. No, I don’t think Tech was handed an easy win even though it looked that way. You know, we did that for A&M. On the other hand, A&M did their homework as well.
It’s all about planning and focus. This team can beat just about any team in the nation when they leave the drama out (quarterback issues for instance).
The fans need to be fans and not critics.
I watched the end of the Georgia game last night and saw the exodus of the “fairweather patriots” during the last quarter. How embarrassing, especially on TV.
Saturday was a good day for all, even OU! Once again the letters were turned upside down to spell “UH OH”. Keep up the good work guys!
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Why is Tech adding seats ?
They don’t even sell out home games against OU or A&M ?
Have some pride TTU fans !
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Great performance and win by the staff and players!
For you all in the Video media: Why must we the fans continually endure ground-level highlights of every game????? PLEASE get a press box pass and show us highlights from that vantage point!!!!!!!!
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What a nice gesture for Mike Leach to honor Nick Reid in the way he did. I know his family is thrilled. Haven’t spoken to Nick but I am sure he is likewise honored. Nick is a fine young man whom I have been fortunate to know almost his entire life and he personifies all that Coach Leach ascribes to his character. Congrats to Tech for a great win over the Sooners! And Thanks!
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Sorry potts man lovers, sticks is still the man. Potts is an int threat on every throw IMO. Kudos to a worthy performance against ok.
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Your the Man Nick. Great game loved every minute of it. Guns Up Beat Baylor see you at the Cowboy Stadium.
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The OU uniforms were tacky. I thought they looked sort of nerdy. Their plan failed. I thought, why are they wearing those tacky uniforms? This is to pirates are cowards: What’s it to you why Tech is adding seats to the stadium? If you don’t like Tech, it’s none of your frickin business. You sound as dumb as a rock.
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Now that we have the added seats, l hope the ticket department visits with the Economics department and finds out that you can’t sell seats in the end zone for $95 each when you can’t even see the video board from there! Empty seats = unsold inventory that is never available to be sold again. Ask any businessman – the athletics department is lowsy at marketing. Every year they make the fans upset by the poor treatment of the season ticket holders. The parking is a disaster and now they want $95 for seats that sould sell for $40.
I’m for drawing a bigger crowd, but the average family of 4 cannot cough up $380 + the cost of concessions 6 times in the fall for Tech football games. Let’s have tickets priced according to the quality of the seats next year.
Come on athletic department, treat your customers with respect. Cater to them a little bit. Listen to their reasonable feedback. Do something about the parking disaster. Hire someone who understands economics to help you make important marketing and customer service decisions. Then we can pack the Jones every time Tech plays and our program will build to the point where we aren’t embarrassed when the TV camera pans back and exposes all the empty seats.
I’m tired of Don Williams and Tech blaming the fans. If a restaurant is not full at lunchtime, everyone tells the restaurant to improve it’s service and food, or lower prices to bring in the customers. But when Tech games are not full, everyone wants to blame the customers! I guess people who live and work in the sports world just don’t have any idea of what it is like to raise a family on a budget like the good folks of Lubbock have to do.
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Graham Harrell to Micheal Crabtree, remains the greatest play I’ve sen in College Football. The best part was the ref’s pathetic attempt to help the Longhorns win with 1 second left on the clock. The refs had TT kicking off from it’s 5 yard line. LMAO!!! How many times in the history of football have you seen any team kickoff from their 5 yard line.
The greatest play and the worst refereeing in football all with 1 second remaining in the game.
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