1. Kilgore’s Bustin headed to Tech | www.kilgorenewsherald.com | Kilgore News Herald
Texas Tech has a new kicker! Woot! Apparently, Texas Tech will have the services of Kilgore College's Ryan Bustin join the team (If I remember correctly, CB Junior Osunde is also from Kilgore College). From reading the article, Bustin may have to sit out the 2011 season, but will have 3 years of eligibility. Not completely sure about that. I also found Bustin's Rivals and Scout profiles, but the Chris Sailer Kicker website gives you an idea as to the type of kicker that Bustin is:
Ryan is an outstanding kicker. He has a strong leg and gets great lift on his ball. An athletic lefty that has shown he has what it takes. Has a chance to be one of the best in the nation. Also a great punting prospect. A fine young man with a great attitude and terrific work ethic. Will attend Kilgore JC.
If you watch the video, you'll note that Bustin was named 1st team All-SWJCFC conference kicker, was 12 of 15 in field goals and 31 of 31 in extra points. The only field goals that he missed were between 40 and 49 yards, where he was 5 for 8. The promised, YouTubery:
Ryan Bustin Kicker 2010 Football Highlights (via rbfootball11)
2. Spring Recap: Texas Tech Volleyball - TEXAS TECH OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE
3. Five-Run First Inning Gives Texas Tech 8-2 Win Over Michigan - TEXAS TECH OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE and Five-run first leads Tech to victory at Michigan | Red Raiders
Woot! Really needed a win against the hated Wolverines and would love to see one more today. Duke von Schamann earned the win and moves to 4-0 on the year, while the offense finally comes alive:
Jamodrick McGruder led off the game with a walk and then moved quickly to third base with a single to left field by Reid Redman and with a bunt base hit from Barrett Barnes. Stephen Hagen drove in the first two runs of the game with a two-run single to left field and then advanced to second base on a bunt single by Kelby Tomlinson.
4. Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer | OutsideOnline.com
If you've never read this account, it's pretty darned good and I enjoy reading Krakauer (hat-tip SportsFeat).
5. Texas Tech Graduation: Former Midland Classical standout perseveres as teammate, husband - Mywesttexas.com: Life
Good to catch up with Wally Dunn. I always think that guys like Dunn, who aren't on scholarship, but there for every practice and every game deserve some love.
6. Flash Mobs Come To College Station, Sort Of - From Our Editors - SBNation.com
I'm not sure what to say here. The title to the video is "Aggie Spirit Mobs, A&M Legacy Society". As Spencer put it, it's and ode to Glee, perhaps, but I'm not sure.
7. Tech Track Puts 15 on Academic All-Big 12 - TEXAS TECH OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE
Congrats to all 15 members of the track team! Excellent work!
8. Japan Earthquake: Two Months Later - Alan Taylor - In Focus - The Atlantic
The Atlantic has a photography website, much like The Boston Globe's Big Picture.
9. Red Raiders' defensive line outlook: Incoming class should help | College Sports Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | The Dallas Morning News
I think I'm fine with the defensive line depth. There are a lot of bodies and I think that bodes well for Glasgow as he has options and he can pick and choose who he wants to play where. If you add in guys like Scott Smith, Leon Mackey, Dennell Wesley and Delvon Wimmons to a fairly deep group, then I think the group will be fine. The biggest thing is figuring out a way to get pressure on the quarterback.
10. Pre-Snap Read: A College Football Blog | No. 112 New Mexico
Paul Myerberg takes a look at one of Texas Tech's non-conference opponent:
Here’s the thing: I like New Mexico’s roster, by and large. The recruiting efforts of the current staff are beginning to pay off, as youngsters thrust into action far ahead of schedule are now more accustomed to the college game, which will lead to a better product on the field in 2011. The talent level really isn’t that bad, even if the defense remains a major, major question mark and the offensive line stands as an unknown. The Lobos will be better, in essence. The real issue — once again — is the coaching.
Go check the whole thing out. Good stuff.
10 more super-awesome things after the jump.
11. Spring Football: Texas A&M - Big 12 Conference - Official Athletic Site
The Big 12-2 take a look at TAMU.
12. 2011 Football Season Ticket Prices; Oklahoma State Versus Big 12 and Other Comparable Schools - Cowboys Ride For Free
Good stuff from CRFF, where they take a look at 2011 football season ticket prices. I was shocked to learn that a cheap seat at Oklahoma St. is $384, while a similar seat at Texas Tech is $189.
13. Totally Texas Tech: New TTU Campus Pictures - 5/10/2011
Thanks again to TTURed for continuing to post pictures for us out-of-towners.
14. College Football Spring Practice Is Over: Some Things We Think We Learned - SBNation.com
Good stuff from SBN's Spencer Hall
15. Lane Kiffin Continues To Spread Oakland Raiders Cheer Everywhere He Goes - From Our Editors - SBNation.com
You guys and gals are already discussing Texas Tech's potential football uniform change (I haven't seen anything official), but the proposed black helmets for USC are awful.
16. Extra! Extra! SB Nation Big 12 Link Dump - Big 12 Hoops
Keeping up with Big 12 hoops with links around the SBN blogs.
17. Lubbock Welcome Event Planned For Hocutt and Gillispie - TEXAS TECH OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE and Red Raider Club Event Set For Hobbs, N.M. - TEXAS TECH OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE
For those of you in these particular areas.
18. The Big 12's best returning ball hawks - Big 12 Blog - ESPN
Ubben has his top 7 returning ball hawks, i.e. players who intercept the passes. Two Red Raiders made the list, CB Jarvis Phillips and S D.J. Johnson:
2. Jarvis Phillips, CB, Texas Tech. Phillips was another player with four picks last year, and did it as a redshirt freshman, starting 10 games in his first year on the field. Phillips was part of a secondary that ranked 118th in the country, but he was second in the conference with 10 passes broken up. He's shown the ability to make big plays. If he and his teammates in the secondary can quit giving them up, the Red Raiders defense could take a big step next year.
5. D.J. Johnson, S, Texas Tech. Johnson started eight games as a sophomore last season, but under new defensive coordinator Chad Glasgow, made the switch to safety this spring opposite Cody Davis. Last year, though, he picked off three passes.
19. Yahoo Sports: Rivals.com Ranking - Rivals.com Rivals250 2012
Texas Tech commit ATH Reginald Davis gets picked at #214. Davis is an exceptional athlete and would remind you to check out all of the 2012 Texas Tech commit profiles, from yours truly, and in particular Davis' DTN profile.
20. For Galapagos Islands’ most prized tortoise, many dates, few sparks - The Washington Post
No reason not to have 20 links this morning.