Football notebook
Torres’ rise continues
Texas Tech flanker Alex Torres has gone from an unknown into the team’s leading receiver with one game left in the regular season.
Torres posted single-game career highs – 11 receptions for 163 yards – in Saturday’s 41-13 win against Oklahoma. That boosted his season totals to 58 catches for 728 yards and six touchdowns. His catches and yards lead the team, and the touchdown receptions total ties Lyle Leong for the team lead.
“Right now, he’s playing as good as any of our receivers and had a good game last game,” Tech coach Mike Leach said Monday. “He was one cut away from having probably 200 yards receiving. Part of it is because he does what he’s coached. He’s a tough guy who does what he’s coached to do and doesn’t regress. Once he makes some progress he doesn’t really lose ground, ever.”
Another way Torres has earned Leach’s favor is the way he runs after the catch. Leach hates receivers trying to make fancy moves, and he says Torres usually isn’t guilty of that.
“Too often, (receivers) will catch a ball, turn around, dance in place and run for the sideline,” Leach said. “Well, it’s cowardly, not what we coach and stupid.
“But Torres kind of personifies good technique, dedication to his technique, executing it and turning a routine play into a big play.”
Mixing in motion
Putting receivers in motion prior to the snap is a tactic Tech coach Mike Leach rarely uses. But the Red Raiders employed some of it Saturday against Oklahoma.
“We motioned a little more than we had been,” Leach said. “We’d been messing with it for a while and hadn’t really broken it out. But we kind of liked some things we’d been doing in practice, so yeah, had a little more motion.”
Tech-UT print on sale
The Texas Tech Red Raider Club is offering for sale “Sudden Victory,” a fine art depiction of the game-winning touchdown in last year’s Texas Tech-Texas game. Graham Harrell’s touchdown pass to Mike Crabtree gave Tech a 39-33 victory.
“Sudden Victory,” an original oil painting by sports artist Daniel A. Moore, was presented to Tech during Saturday’s game against Oklahoma.
The Red Raider Club has secured the rights to publish limited edition prints, the athletic department announced. The RRC will offer three categories of arts prints, starting at $150 apiece. Two categories will be personally signed by Tech coach Mike Leach. Prints ordered by Dec. 8 will be guaranteed delivery by Christmas, according to Tech officials.
Moore describes the painting as a “diptych,” a work of art with two panels.
“I have utilized this format a few times in the past, when the subject matter involved a ‘one-two’ punch,”’ Moore said in a statement released by Tech. “Here, it is fitting because you have both a great pass and a great catch. …
“In the left panel, I have included players standing behind coach Leach on the sideline wearing numbers 30-something and number 33. This treatment represents the score of the game as it is visually in the process of changing to 39-33.”
More information is available at www.redraiderclub.com and orders may be placed by calling (800) 606-8655.
Compiled by Don Williams
More from this category
- Leach legal motion seeks expedited process
- Red Raider Report Card
- Tuberville says still no contact from Tech
- Williams: After distractions, game provides diversion
- Texas Tech Football Notebook
- MSU and TTU Stat Leaders
- Williams: Raiders should give serious thought to hiring McNeill as next head coach
- Tech notes: No line changes planned
More from this author
- Tech football prepares to take field for spring practice
- Tech moves football opener to a Sunday
- Osaghae takes third in hurdles at NCAA indoor championships
- Tech women’s relay, Lamb earn all-America honors at NCAA indoor
- Top five is Tech men’s goal at NCAA indoor meet
Subscribe to this author
Back in April, a reader said Torres messed up not waiting to go back to the Air Force Academy,after his hand/wrist injury. Well, I don’t know about that.
What is he going to say,when the kid is making big bucks in the NFL? Just wait and see.
Report this comment
“each hates receivers trying to make fancy moves, and he says Torres usually isn’t guilty of that.” — interesting remark because I always thought Detron Lewis was the most dangerous receiver this year after the catch. Yet, we haven’t seen Detron all that much in the offense.
Report this comment
I can agree with that Georgia. The main problem for recievers all year has been 3 different QB’s throwing the ball. There hasn’t been a “favorite reciever” from any of them. Too many good recievers is a good problem to have next year.
Report this comment
K, and the best haven’t even seen the field as of yet… the big 12 is ours for the taking next yr.!!!
WRECK’EM!!!
Report this comment
What we need is the QB’s nd Recievers to stay at Tech this summer and work every day going up and down the field on their timing and get to know each and every one pattern. Total commitment to the program. That will do it for thiks offense. Watch out Big 12. Its top 10 time next year. Hopefully get some defense reruits to back up our guys.
Report this comment
Oh…my…gosh. A painting over one victory? I could understand if it was the national championship or something REALLY important like that, but to dedicate a painting for a win over a really good team that did nothing but gain us respect for a couple of weeks is ridiculous. Seriously people, move on.
Report this comment
Blah, Blah, Blah!!!! Typical wishful thinking from the farmers!!!!
Report this comment
Just Tech, or is it normal for other schools to “crash” different teams’ sites/blogs?
As for Detron, he was hurt a bit earlier in the year. Is he 100%?
Report this comment
i really have no logical idea why an ou fan is on this site…. i mean the best they can hope for is 7-5 and the toilet bowl…oh yeah i think we beat them it was like what? 41-13?
Report this comment
Detron does “dance” a lot. He clearly has a bunch of talent, but sometimes (in my opinion) tries to make a few too many moves.
As for Theta12………………….it was a big play for us long time Red Raider fans. Most probably the greatest single play in Tech sports history. So just look the other way if you are not interested……………but we are.
Report this comment
There were a lot of slightly overthrown passes this year to wide open recievers. As was the case Saturday, it may apear that they were not running at 100%. Nick had a floater that should have been caught. If we replay many of those earlier we might see why Leach is so upset with the receivers. A game of inches, but really there were way too many that “should have been caught” out of the hands of the recievers. Time to get that tennis ball machine running…
Report this comment
Theta12: I think there is an artzie chat board someplace you could go to.
This one is for Tech football fans (& those who understand them).
Report this comment
Actually, the painting was done because it was the “Play of the Year” last year in all of College Football (as voted on by fans) and was part of the Game of the Year (as voted on by fans). Tech got the painting and a $5,000.00 check at the game on Saturday as part of that whole deal. So, Theta12 — you may want to do some research before you spout off. ;)
Report this comment
Good point GetAClue.
So do we have to share “prize money” with uT?
Get enough of these we might catch up with uT’s budget. As long as we remain true to ourselves and not become “like” uT the more money the merrier.
Strive for Honor…
Wreck’Em Tech!
Report this comment
worst thread ever…..
Report this comment
November 24, 2009
A Daniel Moore painting reproduced result in -reproductions-.
Yet, these non-disclosed reproductions are promoted as: “arts prints, starting at $150 apiece.”
Would you pay $150 or more for nothing more than a poster?
In closing, without full and honest disclosure of reproductions as reproductions, how can the consumer, much less Red Raiders sports fans, give informed consent on whether to purchase one of these non-disclosed reproductions starting at $150 each?
Respectfully,
Gary Arseneau
artist, creator of original lithographs & scholar
Fernandina Beach, Florida
Report this comment
They are numbered limited edition thus I don’t think anyone is actually thinking they are getting a one of a kind “original”. We all know most of the money is going to be going to Tech as fundraising….
Report this comment
Does anyone else hate that statement, “He’s playing as good as anyone else in the country.” To me, that doesn’t sound like a complement, though it is meant to be, I’m sure. And I hear it every week, but it leaves me scratching my head. To me it sounds like, “Sure, he’s playing good…but anyone else in the country at that position could play just as good.” Doesn’t it? Ok, maybe I’m just reading too much into it. Don’t get me wrong, AT is the man and Coach Leach is best ever! I just hate that statement. Anyone else agree? Couldn’t we just say, “He’s executing at a very high level right now and he’s at the top of his game.” Which is true and actually says what we mean? Ok, I’m done.
Report this comment
TechAddict: Your postings are about as good as anyone else in the country.
Report this comment
PP – GREAT HUMOR!!!
Got the message the second time I read it
but Techaddict did have a good point
Report this comment
just what a bear likes, fans with their eyes on the prize. beware, your lunch will be eaten Saturday.
Report this comment
Oubandit must be nice living outside of Norman and having never attended OU.
Report this comment
OU bandit- Wishful thinking that OU will win more than 6 games next year! ha hA! it isn’t any wishful thinking that a farmer is a lot tougher and hard working than a wimp like you— OU means overrated university! WRECK EM TECH!
Report this comment
Another thing Zero U bandit: Get ready for a 6-6 season! Your friends up in Stillwater are fixin to take your wimpy sooner to the wood shed!
Report this comment
Whatever happened to the classic “sooner”, all that showed up Saturday was a pale little pony. I thought the SMU mascot might have gotten loose….
Happy Turkey day y’all!
Report this comment