Season finale brings out Bears’ best
With almost 72,000 fans providing a festive atmosphere in ultra-modern Cowboys Stadium, Texas Tech players were asked if their neutral-site regular-season finale felt like a bowl game.
It must have felt that way for Baylor, which was going nowhere but home afterward. And in the fourth quarter, it might have been a bowl-game feel for Tech, which made a goal-line stand to save a 20-13 victory Saturday night.
Baylor senior Blake Szymanski was a surprise starter at quarterback, selected less than an hour before game time, and he capped his career by leading the Bears from their own 35-yard line to the Tech 5 before
being turned away with 1:10 left.
“We were were ready for whatever — whoever went out there,’’ Tech defensive lineman Ra’Jon Henley said of the curveball Baylor threw at quarterback. “I just think they played with a lot of passion, a lot of heart and made a lot of good plays. Fortunately, we were able to pull it out.’’
Tech came from 10 points behind in the second half as Taylor Potts threw two touchdown passes to split end Lyle Leong, and Matt Williams kicked a career-long 43-yard field goal, his second of the night.
“Baylor was more ready to play than we were,’’ Tech coach Mike Leach said, “and Baylor came in and gave us their best shot. It’s the best game I’ve seen them play all year and we (won), and for that, I’m very proud of our guys. Sometimes, you’ve just got to find a way.’’
Tech finished 8-4, 5-3 in the Big 12 Conference South Division, and will wait until Sunday to learn its bowl destination. Oklahoma State’s 27-0 loss Saturday at Oklahoma spoiled Tech’s chance at the Cotton Bowl, so the Holiday or Alamo bowls are most likely.
Baylor (4-8, 1-7) hasn’t been to a bowl since 1994, so Bears coach Art Briles wanted to go out with a bang Saturday. With his team down 20-13 and driving, Briles said he chose a play for a two-point conversion — he wasn’t settling for overtime if his offense scored a touchdown.
But the Bears didn’t quite make it that far. Defensive tackle Richard Jones stopped running back Jay Finley for no gain on first down from the 10, defensive end Brandon Sharpe thwarted a quarterback draw on third-and-goal from the 5 and Jones’ pressure coupled with good coverage resulted in an incomplete pass on fourth down.
“Down there on the goal line, we knew time was running low and if we held them four-and-out that was game,’’ Henley said. “We just tried to play as hard as we could up front. We knew they were going to run it a little bit; weren’t sure if they were going to come with the (quarterback) draw again and they did.
“(Brandon) Sharpe was able to make a good play, and Richard Jones was able to make a good play on a zone (running play).’’
Tech has won 14 in a row over Baylor, but seldom by such a whisker. Before Saturday, Leach’s teams had beaten the Bears by an average of nearly 33 points.
But the two teams played one of their tightest games in years in front of by far the largest crowd in the 68-game history of the series.
“What an outstanding venue,’’ Briles said. “It was a great crowd, an enthusiastic crowd and just a very festive atmosphere. For our fans, for our university, it’s just a tremendous, tremendous privilege to be able to play in this setting. Of course, we’re extremely disappointed that we didn’t win the game.’’
Tech trailed 10-3 at halftime and it was 13-3 early in the second half, when the Bears kicked a field goal after Eric Stephens fumbled on the first play of the third quarter. But Stephens returned the kickoff 64 yards to set up the first Potts-to-Leong touchdown pass. Then Brent Nickerson intercepted a pass deep in Baylor territory to set up the other, which put the Raiders ahead 17-13.
To comment on this story:
don.williams@lubbockonline.com l 766-8734
courtney.linehan@lubbockonline.com l 766-8735
More from this category
- Dolphins come in confident
- Lady Raiders play at Wyoming in WNIT
- Raiders aim for final four of National Invitation Tournament
- Aggies’ big inning sinks Raiders
- TV exposure a side benefit of playing in the NIT
- After Smith’s 3-point stunner, Tech prepares to host
- Linehan: Tech gives Murphree another chance to play
- Lady Raiders beat Houston to advance to WNIT second round
More from this author
- 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
- High standards precede Brewer in Hub
Subscribe to this author
So, Stoopes goes to Notre Dame & Leach goes to Oklahoma.
Will we get Briles from Baylor?
Report this comment
We need to praise the defense for giving us yet another win! Now on to a bowl. Sheffield please heal up and have outstanding practice times. Perhaps Potts can carry your helmet for you. Baylor played well and deserves credit for their work. Look out Leach your A&M/Baylor gravy train is about to end and unless you can call a better game and pick the right quarterback this may be your last bowl game for a while!
Tech Alum
Report this comment
ABB = ANYBODY BUT BRILES! Leach should stay. We have too much talent coming back next year. But if he does elect to leave there are some good coaches (with good character) out there for Tech.
Report this comment
Baylor played outstanding, WE survived, overcame and left Arlington with a “W”!
Good teams need to win these type of games, and we’ve got a great team and coaching staff!!
You guys who want Leach’s head are crazy!!!!! Where would we be now w/out Leach??? We’ve never been highly ranked in several years, # 2 last season, remember??? How about the caliber of athlete were able to recruit, before we we only got W.
Texas, New Mexico recruits that contributed, remember??? In the top 5 in total offense in the nation several years, never happened before in our history, remember? How about the facilities, this is because of the success of Leach’s teams, did not happen previously, remember???
Stop your Crazy talk about wanting Leach out, some of you need to remember!!!!!!!!
Report this comment
leach needs to make better decisions, a little more conservative when the situation calls for it. some of the things he does are just stupid and wreckless and the reward doesn’t justify the risk. that said, i’d like him to hang around a while.
more importantly, i’d like to never see taylor potts play in another game as a red raider. that guy is a disaster! look at our offense with that guy; we’re just clawing and scratching to get a point. that guy needs to play for a D2 team or something; he’s got the wrong stuff for the big leagues.
Report this comment
Potts played well, threw one really bad pass that only occurred after a dropped a pass in the endzone the play before. The dropped balls have been a problem all year. Not a bad season at all, could have been easily 10-2 or even 11-1. Just too much inconsistency which happens with the graduations and injuries we had.
Stoops won’t go to Notre Dame, they are looking for someone who can actually win a BCS game.
Leach is here for a while, glad to see him put the Louisville rumor to bed early. He’s got as good a gig as he’s going to get, and he knows it. We beat OU and Nebraska this year, regularly beat A&M and are playing UT competitively even in Austin. Being in the top tier of the Big 12 South is something most schools in the country could not do. Keep up the good work.
Looking forward to an Alamo Bowl victory and a run at the BCS next year.
Report this comment
Potts played well, threw one really bad pass that only occurred after a dropped a pass in the endzone the play before. The dropped balls have been a problem all year. Not a bad season at all, could have been easily 10-2 or even 11-1. Just too much inconsistency which happens with the graduations and injuries we had.
Leach is here for a while, glad to see him put the Louisville rumor to bed early. He’s got as good a gig as he’s going to get, and he knows it. We beat OU and Nebraska this year, regularly beat A&M and are playing UT competitively even in Austin. Being in the top tier of the Big 12 South is something most schools in the country could not do. Keep up the good work.
Looking forward to an Alamo Bowl victory and a run at the BCS next year.
Report this comment
You Potts haters need to get over it. he didn’t drop the six or seven balls in the first half that killed drives, including one in the endzone before the interception. He had an up and down season, much like Graham Harrell’s first year. I’m sure you whiners were yelling to bench him after Colorado in his sophomore year, and then leading the bandwaggon last year. Sheffield performed admirably in his backup role, and I’m sure he will do the same next year if called upon.
Report this comment
techfanski………….
I think we are used to the caliber of play we experienced in Graham Harrell in years past. Pott’s obviously is not that talent, but presently the best we’ve got. Sheff is a great spark, but too small to play D1 consistently.
Let’s hope our Blue Chip recruit Scotty Young from Denton Ryan graduates this Dec., get’s enrolled at Tech for the Spring Semester, get’s into Spring ball, and starts as a Freshman next year! He’s a great talent, that runs the Tech offense in high school, get him in tune to the speed of D1 ball and we’ve got a winner for 4 years!!
Report this comment
Pa Bear,
I am not a Potts hater. He is probably a nice kid; however a “poor” quarterback at this level. No amount of practice is going to change his mechanics. He has had some flashes of good work, but not the talent of Harrell and others. Sheffield is small but a real leader. While you can develop leadership, you can’t make someone a leader (take this from a former Marine officer). We need a talent to run Leach’s offense; Potts just isn’t the man in my opinion.
Tech Alum
Report this comment
Remain calm, all is well!
Tech just went 8-4 during a season that everyone knew would be a rebuilding year. If you’re one who likes to look at what if’s – they could have been 9-3 or 10-2.
We as Tech fans are just spoiled. Outside of UT or OU, any Big XII team – or any team for that matter, would kill to have the kind of consistent sucess that Tech has had under Leach.
Report this comment
8-4 was outstanding considering what was forecasted. We were close to an 10-2 season with Houston and OSU being close. The defense really improved. Sheffield being hurt really affected us. Of course injuries in the Big 12 wrecked havoc with a number of teams. Leach has done well and while we may not like all his calls, he is not a fearful leader. I loved his Pogo comment ;-)
Tech Alum
Report this comment
I think Leach knows more about talent, mechanics, experience, leadership, capabilities, injuries,etc. when it comes to college football than EVERYONE that has EVER been on ANY of these comment sectioms! The End.
Report this comment
sections!
Report this comment
HMMMM…………Where in the story above does it say ANYTHING about Capt. Leach leaving Tech? Pull your heads out!
I was at the game, the entire offense was inconsistent the first half. It was the defense that kept us in the game. It was good to see Blake Szymanski finish out his career at Baylor on a somewhat high note. He is good tuck-and-run QB who can air it out.
Hats off to Baylor, who played an excellent game. I have all the respect in the world for Baylor, and for Coach Briles.
Report this comment
I think Leach knows more about talent, mechanics, experience, leadership, capabilities, injuries,etc. when it comes to college football than EVERYONE that has EVER been on ANY of these comment sections! The End.
“Nuff said!”
Report this comment
realr1960……………
if your referring for me to pull my head out, it has never been anywhere it needed to be pulled out!
my comments were for those Leach naysayers who just forgot!! let’s just call em bonus comments!! as stated, baylor gave tech all it could handle!
Report this comment
Baylor scared me. After Oklahoma I thought we might be able to go out to the Holiday bowl and get another W. After Baylor I’m thinking we will have all we can handle in the Sun bowl. I hope Tech re-groups for the bowl game and brings a different team!
Report this comment
Why would Stoops leave? OU not a national team? Doesn’t like Oklahoma? Does he like being on NBC? Does he not like his players there at OU? Does he want to start all over? That’s just plain silly talk.
As to Leach, only plus would be a higher profile team, but you still have all the minuses listed above? Another silly move.
Something strange to this team this year. Yes, it’s better or about what was forcasted, but “could have bee” so much better. Hope Leach is able to correct. Anyway on to the bowl game. A special thank you to the Seniors, others see you next year!
Wreck’Em Tech!
Report this comment
The Leach critics are amazing. After it is all said and done, Leach not only is the all time winningest coach at Tech, he has 1) won more bowl games then any of his predecessors (sp). 2) put Tech on the map with players who actually graduate
Also, can you name the last time Tech had 3 receivers playing in the NFL at one time? When is the last time Tech was a breeding ground for the NFL?
So he gambled and lost on the Houston call. He went for it on 4th a number of times for the Baylor game and his decisions FOR THAT game were the right ones.
With no distractions this year Tech should have a banner year in recruiting, need some DB’s and DL’s. Beat the W Badgers in the Alamo!
If you want to bash a coach I am sure there is still space on the OU website.
Report this comment
For all you “newbies” in the crowd, Mike Leach, I would imagine, is not leaving Texas Tech. Period. His Red Raiders played a truly inspired, almost heroic game in Austin. Played the same in all the humidity of September in Houston with a QB who had been, at best, a backup the previous Season. Lost by one TD in Stillwater. Beat the ‘Huskers in Lincoln by 21. And played one game vs. A & M in which the D didn’t arrive. OK State lost by 10 to Houston in Stillwater and lost to Texas by 27 in Stillwater. SO….the bottom line is that the Big 12 ALWAYS presents surprises in a full Season. A good Season for Tech. Mike Leach should be proud of his guys. As for Ruffin McNeill, we all know he is a true winner in the right slot as D-Coordinator! Please let go of all the hysteria. It doesn’t help anybody. I want to congratulate the folks in Ames, Iowa for being Bowl eligible TOO. Good for the Big 12 w/ “that one”! As for Baylor and Art Briles, they are most likely on their way too. nmredraider1 in Albuquerque
Report this comment
sorry, can’t convince me that potts is worth a flip. this isn’t a band wagon issue; i didn’t like him after we thumped oklahoma either. sticks has plenty of height and arm strength; he just needs to put on 15 pounds in the offseason.
Report this comment
Techfanski,
Ditto
Realr1960,
If we all are so clueless on college football why read this stuff?
Nuff said II
Tech Alum
Report this comment
“sorry, can’t convince me that potts is worth a flip. this isn’t a band wagon issue; i didn’t like him after we thumped oklahoma either. ”
It is if you can’t name a reason why you don’t like him. That is a “bandwagon” issue regardless if you don’t see it that way or not.
I wonder how many of the Potts critics would crack like Eggs if they were grilled the way Potts was this year.
Like it or not, his mental toughness is unmatched in recent Tech QB history, that includes when Tech fans wanted Harell out after his bad year in 2006. We all know how Harell turned out
Wrech em Tech
Report this comment
hey we could be in last place. I am pumped, just got through listening to the Mack Brown weekly press conference!!! Jump on the bandwagon before it is too late. Isn’t there another Harnell in high scholl? If so, we can requte him hear.
How bout VY!!! Bleeding orange!!!
Report this comment
John,
Mental toughness, now that is interesting. So he is tough but loses focus?
BTW, the call against Harrell was after the TCU game, not much after that. Harrell had the mechanics, Potts does not IMO…
Tech Alum
Report this comment
i’ve named plenty of reasons on numerous occasions. so here we go for mr. john:
1. throwing mechanics – total abomination, shoulders open, front foot up, doesn’t step into the throw, and on and on and on, it’s a wonder he can hit anything
2. leadership – the players clearly don’t rally around this guy. he has no presence and you can see it all over the rest of the team.
3. mobility – he has none what so ever. i saw him side step defenders for the first time this season against baylor. graham couldn’t run much but he could dance around his pursuers.
4. vision – potts can’t see a 240 lb linebacker bearing down on him if he’s not directly in front of him.
5. accuracy – he’s inaccurate; this might be his biggest problem. we don’t need a gunslinger. we don’t need a guy who can run like tebow. we need an accurate passer who can make good quick decisions and is elusive enough to get out of the way of a blitz every now and then.
john, he sucks, he’s a liability and this is fairly obvious to most people. i understand you’re worried about his feelings but being the starting quarterback for a big time FBS school is a privelege, not a right. we owe him nothing. what he owes us is to not suck.
Report this comment
I would wager we have seen the best we will see out of Leach. It will be “downhill” hereafter, sit back and watch.
I would love to see TCU take Baylors place in the Big XII, that would be a strong league for sure.
Report this comment
Mr. JIM
You are one smart man, the pirate has reach his level of incompetence. He sure did run a nice scam on the Tech administration. Chalk one up for the pirate.
Report this comment
Not Brilles. Wazoo if Leach leaves Tech needs to get a high profile coach that can make us a powerhouse not another Baylor. You do not want Brilles, that will be like going back to the days of mediocrity again.
Report this comment
Briles used to coach at Houston before coming to Baylor, see how Houston’s program has taken off since Briles has departed. Briles is capable of coaching and recruiting mediocre talent, he cannot coach or recruit championship quality teams.
Report this comment
Jim McAlister…..
Are you kidding or are you really that stupid? Oh I see you may be one of those Texas fans that bought a shirt from the Wal-mart.
Report this comment
Hey richman, you inherited your wealth? That’s what the current Houston coach did. Those players were recruited by Briles. He may be able to recruit, but at some point kids will not flock to him knowing he will not stay. Look what happened to Franchonie. Kept hopping around and then bottom hit.
Why don’t you donate some money so Gerald can get his big screen for the Jones for Christmas?
Report this comment
Ha ha Wal-Mart longhorn, I like that!
Report this comment
Hey bevoburger get with the times it’s Walmart now they are trying to be more upscale (walmart longhorn)…
Deleted the star too for a weird looking light burst (or dehorned remains).
Report this comment
All along the detractors of Leach have said he doesn’t care about defense…..and that unless we had a better defense we can’t win games when our offense can’t score. Well……looks like he built a better defense and now the same people are saying we’re not a good team because we can’t score. Which is it? We’re closer than ever to having a balanced team and I look forward to next year when we beat OU & UT both in same year. Leach does more with less than any coach in the Big 12.
And oh…..by the way…..Leach knows more about selecting a qb for his system than anybody on this blog. Why don’t you all just appreciate that for the last 10 years we have had a more competitive football program than anytime in school history. You might be careful what you wish for…..we could get another Jerry Moore. For you less educated on this blog…go check his record with TT.
Report this comment
When I was at Tech we had losing teams 3 of the four years; went to one bowl game and were rarely on Television. We have come a long way and cant let one disapointing season turn into anarachy. Yes Texas has not gone 8-4 in some time but other than them who wins 10 plus every year ? Not OU, not USC, ok Ohio State, Boise State, TCU in weak conferences but thatis about it. We had a Senior QB last year and a star reciever like Texs and won 11. Next year Torres will have some help and we will have a 5th year Senior (one way or the other) with a year experience starting in some tough places, I cant wait for next year but first want to win a bowl game. If we finish 9-4 we will be ranked and definitely be in the mix next year for the South. McCoy is gone, Bradford is gone, Robinson is gone. We have UT at home and have won at A&M consistently. I HATE losing but lets not abandon ship. A lot of teams would love to be 8-4 with a chance to win 9, inlcuding Notre Dame. They fire their coach every four years and where does that ever get them? We have had zero losing seasons with Coach Leach and now expect 10 wins a year but isnt that a good thing ? Isnt the Holiday Bowl better than the Independence?? 3 of our 4 losses were to ranked teams on the road; A&M game was disgusting but they were due, Next year we get payback on UH and have a chance to beat a highly ranked TCU team on national TV. HIT EM WRECK EM.
Report this comment
Congrats to TCU for a good year, this year, but not sure what they have next year coming up — they have been so inconsistent over the past 4 years, do you really think they would upgrade the competition in the Big XII? Anyone out there think that Tech will be projected to finish next to last in the Big XII, like they were this year — after all, we have seen more “non-starters” this year than any year in the past and the quality of the program is in the “interchangeable parts” that we have experienced this year. Did we ever play two games with the same starting lineups?
Alamo Champs — next up!
Report this comment
Hey Jim McAlister the ‘Walmart Longhorn’ (Bevo Burgers thanks for the name) Leach will be here at Tech and we will again beat your Bevo Butt again next year when you horns come to Lubbock. Better keep some money ready for Mack or else Notre Dame might steal him away even before the Big XII championship starts.
Report this comment
Bla Bla Bla. If a layup is the same as a slam dunk, then a close win is the same as a blowout win. We would all have something to b!tch about 6 months from now if we had lost. We won. Move on.
So we have a month to talk Alamo. Stop with the Leach is going to some other school talk. You sound like a bunch of “fat little girlfriends” that have nothing to talk about. He isn’t going any where. Just as Briles is not going anywhere and if Stoops is turning down Norte Dame, then Leach is staying right where he needs to be. Tech is going to get 3rd in the big 12….tell me if that is where you predicted us to be last August.
As for Potts, OK yea he could play better, it’s no secret. But right now, he is the starter. And there is no armchair QB on this blog that is going to change that, no matter what you say. I’m not sure why we all have sudden have some front row Lambardi’s but I assure you Leach knows more than all of us. If you want to debate that, then why aren’t you coaching?
Simply put, start showing support instead of sounding bitter for the team doing something right. See you in San Antone.
Report this comment
Why did Don Williams start talking about Coach Leach leaving anyway??
Report this comment
“pejay66 said:
John,
Mental toughness, now that is interesting. So he is tough but loses focus?
BTW, the call against Harrell was after the TCU game, not much after that. Harrell had the mechanics, Potts does not IMO…
Tech Alum ”
That is simply not true. When Tech played Mizzouri Harrell was benched after getting hammered early, Chris Todd was put in and the student section roared! I was at that game by the way. Harrell came back in and brought Tech back but the damage was done. Keep in mind Harrell was the hero after the Aggie game just the previous week! The following week after Mizzouri against Colarado Tech lost 30 to 6 with the same kind of musical chair circus at Quarterback.
How the junk do you see Potts as a Qb who has lost focus? He beat OU by 4 TOUCHDOWNS! Harrell, Hodges, and Cumbie can’t even say they did that.
I can’t think of any Quarterback who would come in after riding the bench all game and lead Tech to a touchdown in a big game, oh wait, Potts did that in the OSU game! Who threw the pick 6 in that game again?
Your comment that Potts “loses focus” is simply baseless. Potts had evrey reason to get rattled after his pick thrown against Baylor, but what does he do? He throws for 2 touchown passes, he directs the offense, he finished 17 for 24 for 145 yards.
Yea he loses focus *rolls eyes*
Report this comment
It’s been an annual tradition, but he forgot Tech put blinders on Leach this time. Thank goodness. First time with openings that Leach hasn’t been mentioned. That’s good for recruiting!
Report this comment
Yes, Leach is quirky. No doubt about it. However, he is a good coach and has assembled a good staff. He did what no other coach could do – bring an exciting & unique style of football to a school that needed to find a niche to sustain success. The irony of it all is his quikiness works to our advantage. Many schools have and will shy away from it. So, here’s to coach Leach’s next 10 years at Tech.
The one thing that concerns me about Potts is his statement from this past spring. He admitted that he didn’t work as hard as he could have in his back-up role, but was now ready to elevate his work ethic. This has bothered me ever since and just maybe has come home to roost. Teammates notice work ethic and respect follows on the heels of that work ethic. That being said, I wish the young man the best, as I do for Sheffield, Doege, Karam and Young. May there be tenacious QB competition this spring. Iron sharpens iron! High tides raise all ships! The best man will emerge, but the others will also be better for the competition.
Report this comment
the ultimate big 12……kick out colorado and iowa state no disrespect just sayin move ou and ok state to the north now insert tcu and houston into the south…now that would be a conference the south would be more up for grabs it would probably come down to tech and ut…im not dissin tcu but theyve faced no competion i mean its the mwc how hard could it get? a rebuilding utah?
also let washington state get out of pac-10 and boise state in see if they go undefeated then….
Report this comment
Keep the teams, I like the Big 12 East and West divisions better. When Nebraska is ranked and gets to play automatically with their record something’s wrong…overall the South is far superior and almost always has been. Long live Dixie. With that said I hope Nebraska clobers uT.
Report this comment
UT will have their referees out in force for that game. So they can spear & hold to their hearts content.
It’s all been decided by the Big 12 that UT must beat Nebraska.
Report this comment
Nope, not a Horn fan at all, in fact grad of Tech, class of ‘63 and during my time at Tech don’t remember many wins, but my point is Leach has reached the top of his game, now time to bring in a coach who can take us over the top.
Sorry to disappoint your earlier thinking.
Report this comment
A message for “southernbillionaire”, and “redraider76″, I don’t hid behind a pseudonym like you do, I put my real name out there for all to see. You are gutless.
Report this comment
I would have liked TCU to be part of the Big 12. They play in a nothing conference right now and will not get the respect they desire. I remember when they had the veer offense and beat the pants off of many SWC teams. Baylor used to be tough and like New Mexico used to beat Tech on a regular basis.
As for Leach. He has done well at Tech and has put us on TV and in more bowls than previous coaches; Jerry Moore, now that was bad!
As for picking QB. I think Potts has physical skills. Many I’ve spoke to say his mechanics are so very poor (my girlfriend said, “he throws funny”). I hope Leach can coach those issues out of him or just replace him with someone on the horizon. I don’t think he will make it.
Tech Alum
Report this comment
There are more TV outlets now than before as well so EVERYONE should be on TV more. Just setting the record straight. When I was in school (days of the SWC) it was basicly Fox and maybe a special game on ABC or CBS…. So only two maybe 4 on TV any week. Now we have at least 6 sometimes 10 of the Big 12 teams on TV.
Report this comment
pejay66, not sure when it was you’re referring to that New Mexico used to “beat Tech on a regular basis”. The series is rather lopsided with the Raiders leading 34-6.
Wreck ‘em!
Report this comment
Changing the subject…
I think Mr. Nickerson is a senior, and I know he started last year but not this year. He kept his mouth shut, worked hard, and gets a game changing interception in his last regular season game.
Congratulations to the coaches and the players, but especially to this senior.
I was hoping we could get the Cotton Bowl and whip LSU, but I will be glad to read about this team in any bowl.
Guns up.
Respectfully,
Paul M. Simons
Report this comment
Everyone has a right to their opinion. Mine is this.
I think it all bowls down to this. Frankly we were spoiled rotten last year. Harrel was amazing and we took it for granted as the “system” working perfectly. This proves that it isn’t a system and that the QB has to be exceptional to run this offense.
Potts hopefully will become the QB that will live up to his billing. GH was horrible at times his first year (Sophmore year). Well not horrible but compared to his Jr and Sr season he was. If I remember correctly in the Mizzou game his Soph year he threw to pick 6’s back to back. Against TCU he looked worse than Potts ever did. HOWEVER, GH vs A&M that year was outstanding and gave us a glimpse of what was to come. Looking back, Potts best game was Texas until he got hurt by the “non helmet to helmet call”.
Sheffield was more of what we had in a one year QB. Symons, Hodges. Both came out of the gate slingging. Sheffield did the same. Plus the tempo and the whole team responded to him. Sheffield problem that he is breakable. See Nebraska game. I love this guy though. He is such a winner and leader. He comes in and puts the team on his back so to speak and it seems their anxieties aren’t there and they play without worries of weather the ball is going to be thrown behind them, or if the ball will come out fast enough so not to get sacked.
With Potts, they seem to be as tenative as he is. Not sure why. Not sure if this can be corrected, but it has to by next season.
But in the big picture, Tech finished 8-4, I thought no worse than 9-3. What I really like, is that many are fussing about a 8-4 season. Just shows how far the expectations have come since the days of Mediocrity.
Looking forward to the Bowl and 20
Report this comment