Busy Day: Yesterday was quite a day as Texas Tech completed their first scrimmage and picked up two commitments, Pflugerville RB Kenny Williams and Brenham WR Derek Edwards (more on them later, maybe on Monday, but I have updated the sidebar).
Passing Game Takes Center Stage: LAJ's Don Williams writes that the Texas Tech passing game took center stage on Saturday, absolutely lighting it up, and head coach Tommy Tuberville wanted to throw the ball even more:
"We couldn’t throw the ball as much as we would’ve liked,’’ Tuberville said. "We wanted to have a couple more periods, but the wind got us a little bit. We didn’t want to ruin the confidence of the quarterbacks trying to throw the ball deep down the field in this wind, but effort looked like it was good.’’
The quarterback numbers for the day:
Steven Sheffield: 18-25 : 225 : 2 TD
Taylor Potts: 13-25 : 141 : 1 TD
Seth Doege: 5-12 : 35 : 1 TD
Jacob Karam: 5-12 : 49
Williams reports that both Potts and Doege threw picks yesterday, but OC Neal Brown said that both interceptions weren't their fault.
Sheffield clarifies that every play is designed to potentially be a running play for the quarterback:
"Basically, every run we have, I have the option to pull (keep) the ball if I read it right,’’ Sheffield said. "I have to watch the defensive ends and see what they do, and if they’re not paying any attention to me, I just keep it.’’
OC Brown also said that although he like the production, he was most disappointed with the fumbles:
"The most disappointing thing was ball security as far as running backs and receivers,’’ Brown said. "I thought we did a really poor job. It’s the first time we’ve had full contact (this spring), so I’m not really shocked about it. But that’s probably the most disappointing thing.’’
Notes, Notes and More Notes: LAJ's Don Williams writes that RB Aaron Crawford had a good day yesterday with 10 carries and 63 yards and a touchdown and Crawford is happy to be involved and for the opportunity:
"I was just going out, doing what I could and getting back into things,’’ he said. "But I always feel like I can play. I never want to leave the field. That’s always my mentality.’’
And OC Brown said that Crawford got lost in the shuffle last year:
"He’s a guy that kind of got lost in the shuffle,’’ offensive coordinator Neal Brown said. "He’s a really hard-working kid. He gives us a little bit different dimension than the other three kids.’’
. . . from Williams article, it appears that a number of players are moving around, as OLB Bront Bird played ILB and CB LaRon Moore is also getting looks at nickel and safety . . . the offense is apparently moving at a blistering pace and Williams points out that OC Brown wants to reach that 75 play pace (despite 30 runs a game) that Texas Tech had last year and Bird calls the offense the "NASCAR offense":
"We call that NASCAR. They’re running a speed-up offense,’’ Bird said. "It’s a little more difficult because you can’t always get a call in. You kind of have to line up and run the same thing over and over. … I think it’s good for both sides as far as getting in shape and learning how to play with poise.’’
. . . OLB Aundrey Barr had a good day yesterday, although DC James Willis said that he has questions about Barr:
"Through our off-season (conditioning workouts), he struggled a little bit running,’’ Willis said. "He wasn’t used to that type of strenuous exercise and work. I had my questions about him at first, but today he came out and showed me something.’’
Good Days: The official site has some defensive stats from yesterday's scrimmage and who stood out:
Cornerback LaRon Moore paced the defense with seven stops, while safeties Brett Dewhurst and Franklin Mitchem added six tackles each. Redshirt freshmen Aundrey Barr, Pearlie Graves and Brandon Mahoney, along with junior Sam Fehoko, each recorded sacks. Dewhurst and walk-on defensive back Sawyer Vest grabbed the defenses two interceptions.
And RRS.com's Chris Level tweeted that the following players had good days:
Imo Sheffield, Crawford, Olson, Ford, Wade and Barr all played well today.
Incredibly awesome and the best videos and photos in the history of ever after the jump.
Video: The official site actually has YouTube video and to be honest, I'm pleasantly surprised that this was even done:
KAMC files their report and Fox34 with some video:
Photos: ttured at Totally Texas Tech has some photos as does the LAJ.