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QUOTABLE | The looser, not loser, mindset was a topic of conversation and I honestly had no idea about the last part of this quote about the lack of penalties. Of course, there's not much time, but maybe there is something about playing free and easy and not giving one care in the world. Here's head coach Tommy Tuberville:
“We play looser (in overtime) for some reason. I think we’ve got more confidence in each other. Offense and defense feel like we can play looser. I think we focus better. We haven’t had a penalty in either of the (five) overtimes.”
The defensive player that made the play at the end of the game was Blake Dees, who had been, blasted a good part of the day:
“They had been running that play on us all day and killing us with it. I saw it happening again, so I widened out in the box and shot the gap. My family was there, and they were jumping for joy.”
I know that we've really cussed and discussed this game, but I do think that football teams really do look at a game and it's either a win or loss. When you've given it your all, the style points seem to not really matter.
LINKS | These are links from around the interwebs this morning:
Fatherhood helps Ward reach new heights on the field | Red RaidersOklahoma St. quarterback shuffle leaves uncertainty heading into senior day game - The Daily Toreador: SportsLooking for Moore: OSU junior on TD streak | Red RaidersTech earns pledge from junior college running back | Red RaidersSenior Cowboys ready for last go-round in BPS - ocolly.com : FootballSenior Day Victory! ~ Student of the GameBig 12 Insider: Texas A&M should be on Kansas State thank-you list | Dallas-Fort Worth Sports...Bill Hancock, ladies and gentlemen - Sunday Morning QuarterbackThe Alphabetical, Week 12: Texas A&M continues to confound Gary Danielson - SBNation.comFive Junior College sleeper prospectsWhat Turnovers Really Mean | Pistols Firing
THE LIGHT BULB HAS GONE ON | The light if going to have to go on for Zach Winbush and Micah Awe in place of Terrance Bullitt. I’m not sure how much time they’ll receive this week due to Oklahoma St. being similar to Texas Tech in terms of personnel, but they cannot afford to be as inconsistent as the other linebackers. The frustrating thing about their play is that I assume that they are getting good instruction because Art Kaufman is the linebackers coach and seeing him in action, I also assume that he’s making sure that they know what to do. The frustrating thing is that they are, at times, literally taking themselves out of plays by getting railroaded by a lineman that’s gotten to the second level. I don’t know why this is so problematic for Texas Tech, to find good linebacker play. There is something wrong here. Similar to the offensive line not executing. Something is amiss and I can’t put my finger on it. I think some of it is youth and/or inexperience.
ITEM COMPLETED | Nice to see IR Tyson Williams (7 catches 85 yards in 2 weeks) and IR Jakeem Grant (6 catches for 32 yards last week) get more involved in the offense. This is your check receiver for Doege and I really like them as options. If it can’t be a 6-5/260 tight end, then getting it to a water-bug receiver that is going to catch and hold onto the ball isn’t a bad option either. Grant didn’t play against UT because the staff maybe thought that they needed additional protection in the backfield, but I hope they get a ton of time against Oklahoma St.
KEY TO SUCCESS | As pointed out this week, the defense needs to force Oklahoma St. into turnovers. That will be helped greatly if CB Cornelius Douglas returns. I think I have my doubts at this point. The other thing that bothers me is that the defense isn't getting to the quarterback and OSU is only allowing a sack for every 50 pass attempts. That's really astounding. If Texas Tech can force some bad decisions, which I don't think is likely, then I think Texas Tech stays in the game.
WE HAVE QUESTIONS | This is a question for next year, but what do you think happens at offensive tackles next year? I think the idea is that LeRaven Clark flips to left tackle, but what's going to happen at right tackle? The player listed at right tackle behind Terry McDaniel is Trey Keenan. I think that Jared Kaster has found himself as the guy in the center spot and now, the Morales brothers will need to find spots along the line, both Alfredo and Tony are 6-3/302, and would guess that they are more suited for the guard and center spots, but Carpenter seems to have the left guard spot locked up and Kaster is going to be the answer at center next year. It's strange how I'm already thinking about next year, but to be truthful, I start thinking about the next year before the year has even started.
BOOKMARK | This is a really cool website with a weird name, or I think it is weird. Statmilk. Very good visuals of football and they also have specific matchups. Here is the page for Texas Tech and here is the match-up with the Cowboys.
CHARTS | Without comment, third down conversion rate:
INJURY REPORT | I removed RB Quinton White, WR Shawn Corker and OG Tony Morales as they are 3 weeks past being healthy, just don't have a firm date on them. They may not play, but they should be healthy.
Fall Practice: OL Matt Wilson (torn ACL - out for the year; ATH Shawn Corker (broken foot - out 4 to 6 weeks); DT Anthony Smith (rolled ankle from scooter mishap - out 2 weeks); RB Quinton White (broken foot).
Week 1 vs. Northwestern St.: OL Matt Wilson (torn ACL - out for the year); ATH Shawn Corker (broken foot - may be out 2 to 4 more weeks); RB Quinton White (broken foot - may be out 4 to 6 more weeks); WR Aaron Fisher (broken leg - out for the year); OG Tony Morales (knee injury - out 2 weeks).
Week 2 vs. Texas St.: OL Matt Wilson (torn ACL - out for the year); ATH Shawn Corker (broken foot - may be out 1 to 3 more weeks); RB Quinton White (broken foot - may be out 3 to 5 more weeks); WR Aaron Fisher (broken leg - out for the year); OG Tony Morales (knee injury - out 1 week); WR Eric Ward (concussion - out 1 game).
Week 3 vs. New Mexico: OL Matt Wilson (torn ACL - out for the year); WR Aaron Fisher (broken leg - out for the year); ATH Shawn Corker (broken foot - may be out 2 more weeks); RB Quinton White (broken foot - may be out 2 to 4 more weeks); OG Tony Morales (knee injury - should be available); WR Marcus Kennard (groin - day to day); CB Cornelius Douglas (pulled abdominal muscle - 1 week).
Week 4 Bye: OL Matt Wilson (torn ACL - out for the year); WR Aaron Fisher (broken leg - out for the year); CB Jeremy Reynolds (knee sprain - out for the year); ATH Shawn Corker (broken foot - may be out 1 more week); RB Quinton White (broken foot - may be out 1 to 3 more weeks).
Week 5 Iowa St.: OL Matt Wilson (torn ACL - out for the year); WR Aaron Fisher (broken leg - out for the year); CB Jeremy Reynolds (knee sprain - out for the year); ATH Shawn Corker (broken foot - practicing, but may be out 1 more week); RB Quinton White (broken foot - may be out 1 to 3 more weeks); OG Tony Morales (knee injury - may be out 1 more week).
Week 6 Oklahoma: OL Matt Wilson (torn ACL - out for the year); WR Aaron Fisher (broken leg - out for the year); CB Jeremy Reynolds (knee sprain - out for the year); ATH Shawn Corker (broken foot - should be practicing); RB Quinton White (broken foot - may be out 2 more weeks); OG Tony Morales (knee injury - should be practicing).
Week 7 West Virginia: OL Matt Wilson (torn ACL - out for the year); WR Aaron Fisher (broken leg - out for the year); CB Jeremy Reynolds (knee sprain - out for the year); ATH Shawn Corker (broken foot - should be practicing); RB Quinton White (broken foot - may be out 1 more week); OG Tony Morales (knee injury - should be practicing).
Week 8 TCU: OL Matt Wilson (torn ACL - out for the year); WR Aaron Fisher (broken leg - out for the year); CB Jeremy Reynolds (knee sprain - out for the year); ATH Shawn Corker (broken foot - should be practicing); RB Quinton White (broken foot - should be practicing); OG Tony Morales (knee injury - should be practicing); WR Bradley Marquez (knee injury - out for the year); WR Javon Bell (broken ankle - out for the year); TE Jace Amaro (bruised ribs - questionable); CB Cornelius Douglas (twisted knee - questionable).
Week 8 Kansas St.: OL Matt Wilson (torn ACL - out for the year); WR Aaron Fisher (broken leg - out for the year); CB Jeremy Reynolds (knee sprain - out for the year); WR Bradley Marquez (knee injury - out for the year); WR Javon Bell (broken ankle - out for the year); TE Jace Amaro (bruised ribs - questionable); CB Cornelius Douglas (twisted knee - questionable); NB Tre Porter (.
Week 9 Texas: OL Matt Wilson (torn ACL - out for the year); WR Aaron Fisher (broken leg - out for the year); CB Jeremy Reynolds (knee sprain - out for the year); WR Bradley Marquez (knee injury - out for the year); WR Javon Bell (broken ankle - out for the year); TE Jace Amaro (bruised ribs - questionable); CB Cornelius Douglas (twisted knee - likely).
Week 9 Oklahoma St.: OL Matt Wilson (torn ACL - out for the year); WR Aaron Fisher (broken leg - out for the year); CB Jeremy Reynolds (knee sprain - out for the year); WR Bradley Marquez (knee injury - out for the year); WR Javon Bell (broken ankle - out for the year); TE Jace Amaro (bruised ribs - questionable); CB Cornelius Douglas (twisted knee - likely).