Five Stats To Rue Above All
by Peter Bean on Nov 2, 2008 6:39 AM CDT
in Football
53 comments
Though I'm not masochistic enough to want to belabor Saturday night's low points much beyond this post, I want to conclude my post-game thoughts with a look at five statistics which best illuminate what went wrong in Lubbock. I think moving forward requires some painful digesting of the what and how of Texas' (first half, in particular) failures--both as mistakes to avoid and opportunities to elevate to a higher level.
1. TEXAS TECH 1st QUARTER TIME OF POSSESSION: 12:28
"Keep Tech's offense off the field" was one of many fans' key talking points throughout the week, but the 1st Quarter could not have gone more poorly for the Longhorns in that regard. When on the final play of the first quarter Barron Batch scored a touchdown for a 12-0 Tech lead, he capped as stunning an opening five drives to the game as a Texas fan could imagine:
| TEAM | PLAYS | YARDS | RESULT | TIME |
| TTU | 7 | 47 | Punt | 4:17 |
| TX | 1 | -2 | Safety | 0:05 |
| TTU | 11 | 52 | FG | 3:51 |
| TX | 7 | 5 | Punt | 2:27 |
| TTU | 10 | 96 | TD | 4:20 |
| TTU | 28 | 195 | 10 points | 12:28 |
| TX | 8 | 3 | -2 points | 02:32 |
Did Texas Tech win the game in the first quarter? In many ways, yeah. Consider the final offensive numbers (not including the non-offensive touchdown each picked up in the second half--Texas via punt return, Tech via INT return):
| TEAM | PLAYS | YARDS | POINTS | TIME |
| TTU, Final 3 Quarters |
53 | 384 | 20 | 24:25 |
| TX, Final 3 Quarters | 54 | 371 | 26 | 20:35 |
| TTU, 2nd Half | 40 | 217 | 10 | 17:09 |
| TX, 2nd Half | 34 | 279 | 20 | 12:51 |
If Texas didn't lose the game in the first quarter, they lost it in the first half, when Tech led by as many 19 points. Though in the second half it was Texas that eventually got on track, it was Texas Tech... that got the ball last. Absolutely crushing.
2. TEXAS TECH SACKS: 4 / TEXAS RUSHING YARDS 80
To many Texas fans, much of Saturday night's game (especially up through Colt's devastating pick six) in Lubbock felt like the worst moments from 2007, with McCoy struggling to find his mark, holding the ball too long or scrambling for his life behind a Texas offensive line that was abused badly as a pass protecting and run-creating unit. Though Texas would regroup down the stretch, the credit here goes to the Red Raiders' defensive line, which left an indelible mark on the game with an inspired first half performance.
Texas fans are rightly upset by how much holding the Red Raiders' own offensive linemen were getting away with, but as Scipio Tex and I ultimately decided during a post-game chat, we all knew going into the game that this was the same crew from Dallas: At some point, it's on Texas' coaches to instruct their players to block/hold without fear of reprisal. The shame is on the officials, but the strategic blunder is on Texas. Especially given the Tech D-Line's first-half dominance.
3. TEXAS TECH RUSHING ATTEMPTS: 26
As always, it was Texas Tech's passing offense doing the majority of the work, but as I found myself writing in one Big 12 Report after another this season, the difference in this year's Red Raider offense is the commitment to and success of the running game. Tonight was no exception: Tech ran the football 26 times for 130 yards (5.0 ypc), more than enough to keep Texas' defense from selling out to stop the pass. Though Will Muschamp's improved second half defense limited Tech to just 48 yards on their 13 second half rushing attempts, Mike Leach's continued commitment to the effort was part of the reason Tech's pass game never really sputtered throughout.
We've said more than a few times this season that if Will Muschamp succeeds in making an opposing offense one-dimensional, it's game-set-match. Mike Leach understood that and ran the football enough to force Muschamp to stay honest against the run. And that, in turn, helped Graham Harrell and his outstanding receivers take advantage of the 'Horns through the air.
4. TEXAS FINAL 3 DRIVES: 18 PLAYS, 229 YARDS, 3 TDs
Malcolm Williams' final line? 4 catches, 182 yards, 2 TDs. Fozzy Whittaker? 7 touches, 47 yards. Texas' offensive gears eventually slid into highly-productive grooves, but it came too late. 26 offensive points in Lubbock just isn't enough. Why, then, is this stat line included among the five explaining Texas' loss? Because it was Texas first embodiment this season of the explosive contributions from Others--absence of which had been masked by the surreal performances of Texas' go-to veterans--that we worried might be a fatal weak link of this offense.
It crushes my soul that this isn't the #1 bullet for a "Top 5 Reasons Texas Won" post. It almost was. The only consolation is that, heading forward, we're a better offense for it. The way I feel, though, it's the faintest of silver linings.
5. TEXAS TECH FIRST DOWNS: 31 / TEXAS FIRST DOWNS: 18
And with this final statistic, we in many ways complete the circle: Though the one-sided first quarter may have been decisive all on its own, the game-long story was that Graham Harrell was able to execute better that which was essential for both teams: Keep the offense on the field, execute on third downs, sustain drives, and grind the opposing defense. The Red Raiders converted on 8 of 16 third downs; Texas on just 4 of 12.
Graham Harrell in the first half converted 5 of 8 Texas Tech third downs--rushing once for 8 yards and completing 4 passes for 84 yards. He did not turn the ball over once during the game. He took one sack on Tech's opening drive and one at the beginning of the 4th Quarter. The mistakes Texas fans saw from the same player in years' past.... not this time.
Anything less and the Red Raiders lose. Hard as it is to say: the bratty punk earned it. He really did.
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PB,
Can’t argue with any of this. The time of possession in the first quarter did much to lose this game for us but we managed to find a way to overcome it. The domination of the line of scrimmage by Tech in the first quarter in particular was insane. Our guards in particular were getting handled (see the safety).
Nicely worded thoughts as always
by DreadedOne on Nov 2, 2008 6:46 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Thanks
And you’re exactly right: our guards were badly abused in the first half. Both Dockery and Tanner looked awful on multiple occasions at critical times.
Though I’m trying-trying-trying to be impressed/happy/grateful we just won 3 of that brutal 4-game stretch… the way we lost tonight was just so heart-breaking. Punch to the gut.
Silver-lining reminder: Malcolm Williams, Fozzy Whittaker, the defense is so young.
--PB--
by Peter Bean on Nov 2, 2008 6:54 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
GD new playbook.
1. Give the ball to Fozzy and let him run circles around the D, O-line you do have to make some blocks though.
2. Throw the ball very deep and high and watch the newest Williams star run, jump, whatever he does and make a play.
The next up and coming Longhorns QB!
by HornsRiverine on Nov 2, 2008 9:24 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Sleepless
So there are others. That helps me think I’m not crazy.
by Kool Hand on Nov 2, 2008 6:47 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Right with you, sir
I guess I should sleep here soon, but… man, this game. So close. After being so far behind.
Sigh…
--PB--
by Peter Bean on Nov 2, 2008 6:55 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
sleepless
I did not go to bed until 1, and then I could not asleep because every time I closed my eyes. I kept seeing that damn game winning catch over and over. Then my son gets up at 5:45 this morning (he’s almost a year now) and of course it is my morning to get up with him. I was just sitting here watching the game on ESPN Classic and my wife, asks me, “why are you doing this to yourself.” I guess I cannot turn away. I am just trying to figure this out. By far the most heartbreaking loss, I have ever been through as a Longhorns fan. In all my 27 years of life I cannot ever remember losing on the last play of the game. I remember the ones we have won, man those were amazing, but now I know how Michigan and USC feel. I honestly do not hate USC as much right now as I usually do. Boy do I ever have a new hatred for Tech. All I can say is lets win out and I cannot believe I am about to type this. Go Cowboys and go Sooners. I gotta throw a Hook ’Em at the end of this post to wipe that crud off me now.
The next up and coming Longhorns QB!
by HornsRiverine on Nov 2, 2008 9:04 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
an exploration of the magnitude of this loss
I personally attended the meltdown against Colorado in 01, rout 66 against UCLA, and the first debacle against OU in 2000, and yet none of those losses left me in the unimaginable, restless pitt of sorrow I find myself in this morning.
I’ve been trying to articulate why this loss hurts so much more, and I’ve come to the conclusion that it involves my genuine expectations, and the level of respect that I had, for the teams involved in each of those losses.
I think that in the early Mack Brown era, while we won a ton of games, I never REALLY believed that we were an elite football team (ie: true national championship material). The years of Ricky, Major, Chris, and Roy were fun, but if I were brutally honest with myself, I always believed that if those teams had been put on the same field with Florida or Miami or USC, we would have lost by 14-17 points.
So in my mind, those 60-point blow-outs happened to Longhorn teams that had much lower ceilings, and realistically, much lower potential. And our heartbreaker against Colorado, as much as we hate to admit it, in all probability prevented us from backing into the Championship Game and getting blown out by Miami.
But this team is different. It truly is an elite team. Had we made it to the Championship Game
this year, not only would we have deserved to be there, but I genuinely believe we could have beaten
either Penn St. or Alabama.
In other words, my dissapointment in 01 was as a true Longhorn homer – I wanted to get to the BCS Championship, whether we deserved it or not, because it was MY team, and because we had
never been. My dissapointment today grows from my belief that this team is great beyond just the bias of my imagination, and truly belongs on the field in Miami this coming January.
And it kills me.
This loss is something we have never experienced. It is how we would have felt had we blown a game during the 2005 season.
But we didn’t lose any games in 05, and so we are unprepared for how this feels.
Something else worth throwing in here is that I also have formed a deeper connection with these guys than I did with those earlier teams. The early Mack Brown teams always felt to me like colder, more mechanical NFL squads. But I love these guys; they have a ton of heart and they embody a Longhorn pride few other teams have so perfectly exemplified. And when you become more emotionally invested in the players, then you must come to expect that a loss such as this will trigger a deeper emotional response.
by BrooklynHorn on Nov 2, 2008 3:12 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
sad piano music...
and a slow clap for your post.
by DaGoose on Nov 3, 2008 10:03 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Throw the ball downfield
It seems to me like every time we threw the ball deep, something good happened, we just didn’t do it enough.
Herbstreit on the broadcast kept saying that Tech had 2 safeties back so it just wasn’t there, but did anyone else not see what he was talking about?
It seemed like the deep route was single covered every time. And I personally will take Ship, Cosby, or Malcom 1 on 1 all day
by vyvyvy on Nov 2, 2008 8:19 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Yup
Unfortunately, we started so poorly that it was too late when we started hitting our groove.
I’m clinging fiercely to the only silver lining: Heading forward, we’re a better offensive football team because of Williams’ break out.
--PB--
by Peter Bean on Nov 2, 2008 8:37 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
PB
I’m afraid to think that Greg Davis will revert to his old ways again and keep the ball out of freshmen hands even with Williams’ unbelievable break out. Perfect combination of size, speed, hands that smaller DBs can’t handle. Next year Brandon Collins will be the slot receiver, while Williams and Buckner will be the outside deep threats. If we can get a TE, a FOZZ that is allowed to become the great RB we need and an O-Line that manhandles opponents this offense has no limits.
Did anyone else see that the first offensive play of the game would not result in a safety? This is not a smash mouth I-formation team. That play gave Tech the momentum for the first-half. I’m all about the big MO’. In a tough road environment it’s easier to give the momentum up than it is to wrestle right back as we saw last night. You can’t let the opponent have the MO or the first punch, if you do you may not get it back.
by HornsFaninCalifornia on Nov 2, 2008 9:55 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
If this game isn't a springboard for the offense
It’s the most devastating loss since CU 2001.
Let’s see, though. I don’t think this is so much about Davis, though. Malcolm Williams looked like an elite football player tonight who wanted to dominate—instead of a great athlete who was trying to connect the dots between his talent and the game on the field.
--PB--
by Peter Bean on Nov 2, 2008 9:59 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Don't remind me
of that debacle. That was the very first Texas game I attended.
by HornsFaninCalifornia on Nov 2, 2008 10:03 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Other gut punches
The only two sporting events that compare to this one for me are the 2001 Big 12 championship and Derek FIsher’s 0.4 second bullshot in game 5 of a 2-2 series.
Derek Fisher’s shot is pretty similar. Duncan had just hit an improbable shot to take the lead, but a little too much time was left on the clock…
by JohnsonUT on Nov 2, 2008 10:05 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Agreed
The 2001 Big 12 Championship game left us feeling a day late and a dollar short. I’m still asking myself why they didn’t put Applewhite in earlier. There just wasn’t enough time for the comeback. Against TT, I’ll be asking myself similar questions.
This is painful.
by Kool Hand on Nov 2, 2008 11:39 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Time
There was enough time. We were going to get the ball back down 6 ( i think), but we had a very untimely roughing the punter penalty. Colorado kept the ball and ended up kicking a game clenching field goal.
by JohnsonUT on Nov 2, 2008 12:28 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Gideon
Let’s hope Gideon doesn’t have the dropped INT hanging over his head his whole career like Geiger did with that roughing the punter.
by hornalum08 on Nov 2, 2008 1:22 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Ship dropped the ball
in the first half. Crushing, but that happens one in a 100 times. Crazy things happen in Lubbock at night, at least that is what I keep repeating to try and stave off complete depression.
by Wells on Nov 2, 2008 9:54 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Missed opportunities
That dropped ball was a sign of things to come. Plays the receivers normally make were dropped left and right and it was so infuriating. Did anyone see that the Tech LBs were jumping into the slant and crossing routes like they knew what was going to happen?
by HornsFaninCalifornia on Nov 2, 2008 10:01 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
DB Play
What happened to Curtis Brown last night. He was chasing receivers from behind all 4 quarters. All the DB’s looked lost.
by Dawnpatrol on Nov 2, 2008 8:41 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
DB Play Fundamentals 101
1. Solid tackling – Curtis Brown as we saw last night was grasping at Craptee’s jersery instead of wrapping up
2. Deep safety help – Instead of providing the last wall of defense and providing a sure tackle Earl Thomas took the wrong angle and went for a pick he never had instead of the sure tackle
If both were done correctly, Craptree has to fight his way to the endzone, stopped short and the clock runs out.
by HornsFaninCalifornia on Nov 2, 2008 10:19 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
that what hurts the most
is that with everything that happened, if brown and/or thomas wrap up crabtree on the last play from scrimage, the clock runs out and we are all discussing the idiocy of harrel and leach for not lining up for a potential game winning field goal. i want to say i agree with the mantra that bashing collegiate players is low, and i dont tend to do so. the point is i am not trying to single out thomas and brown, but this play and effort from those two seemed to sum up the night for the young secondary. it looked as though they we ready to go home long before this play.
by DaGoose on Nov 3, 2008 10:12 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
1:28
PB: Great article as always, but I think one of the most important stats to rue was the amount of time the Texas offense left Graham Harrell after their scoring drive. With the game clock running, there were at least fifteen seconds left on the play clock when Texas scored on second-and-goal. My biggest complaint was that Texas, with two timeouts, didn’t let the clock burn as long as possible to make it that much harder for Tech to take the ball back and score. Tech may also have burned its final timeout in an attempt to save time. Considering Tech’s last play, the Crabtree touchdown, began with less than ten seconds on the clock, it’s tough to think about.
The two college football teams I root for are Texas and Minnesota, so yesterday was a rough day for me.
by sportsnight on Nov 2, 2008 9:19 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
in hindsight you are correct
However, I’m not so sure its a good thing to tap the brakes when we are rolling and have tech on its heels.
We really had only had like 1 good drive before that point, a TD was by no means guaranteed.
by vyvyvy on Nov 2, 2008 9:23 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Time Management
I was pleading for the football gods to keep the clock running that last Texas drive. It just seemed like it was barely moving and yes, they should have snapped it with no more than 2-3 seconds on the play clock near the goal line. Texas had plenty of time to score and didn’t need to be in hurry-up mode at the end. After we scored, I thought to myself we left too much time on the board and we better boom the kick through the endzone at least. Kickoff coverage killed us again.
by HornsFaninCalifornia on Nov 2, 2008 9:28 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Exactly
I kept saying this last night. When it was first and goal, we should not have snapped the ball with more than 3 seconds on the play clock. Hell, I would have even been for calling one of our timeouts with 1 second on the play clock just to run as much clock as possible, or force Tech to use their last one. Might there have been some chance of slowing our momentum by doing this? Perhaps, but at that point, I’d have much rather taken our chances to win the game inside the 10 yard line than turning it over to the tech offense with too much time.
by SaintBevo on Nov 2, 2008 10:27 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
My Point Exactly
Sure, maybe momentum is slowed down a bit if we call a timeout or run the play clock down to 2-3 seconds but I still like our chances with our offense to win the game. The D was gassed by the end of the first half and surely even with that adrenaline finish was gasping for straws at the end. We easily give them the ball back with less than 60 secs if the clock was properly managed.
by HornsFaninCalifornia on Nov 2, 2008 10:34 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I agree but keep in mind
Tech still had one timeout left and never had to use it. Chances are that they still would have had time for that drive with 20 less seconds if they’d used the timeout.
Either way, if we cover the kickoff after our TD, then at worst we are looking at one of the below avg. kickers having to hit a field goal.
by Horncasting on Nov 2, 2008 10:48 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
2nd down
We scored on 2nd down, right? Even allowing two shots to put it in, we could have still wasted a play to let the clock run. Most likely, Tech burns their TO after second down. We run again on 3rd and either score or take it down to 1 second and call time. Then we put it over on 4th down for the win. If we score on 3rd, the Tech is still in a bind. Squib kick takes another 10 seconds and leaves them on the same 35yl. (Also if Colt slides instead of running out of bounds, we run more clock.)
A smarter team would have won this one.
Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes. If they get mad, you're a mile away AND you have their shoes.
by Caradoc on Nov 2, 2008 1:32 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
PB you said it best
at the beginning of the season that even with a talented but unproven LB corps, freshmen in the secondary that this team would be a tough out as the season progressed. Come bowl time no one wants to play this team and next year the D will be one of the best in the nation, provided we can fill the holes left by Melton/Miller/Orakpo.
by HornsFaninCalifornia on Nov 2, 2008 9:45 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Big test for coaches too
These kinds of losses can either be missed opportunities to regret forever or building blocks to actualizing the highest goals. So it’s critical our coaches learn from this every bit as much as those young players are learning on this impressive journey that has been the 2008 season. We may get our shot at Kansas City/Miami yet. Let’s surge forward as though we will, such that we’re ready if we do, or if not, we earn a BCS berth and/or launch properly into the 2009 title run.
--PB--
by Peter Bean on Nov 2, 2008 9:50 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
For the last few weeks
I’ve been thinking that the way to play our offense would be to drop 7-8 guys in coverage and dare us to run, or force us to throw deep into stiff coverage. It was going to require a team that could get pressure with 3 or 4. Our offense seemed to be built on short passes to reliable WRs who perhaps lacked the ability to burn good coverage deep. Teams tried to blitz colt, which opened up the short passes even more.
This is exactly what Tech did and we were totally flumaxed by it for the better part of 3 quarters. Only when we showed that we could throw the ball deep did the short stuff start to open up. As PB suggests, perhaps now that we shown that we can do this, we can counteract this strategy when we see it again. Too bad we didn’t figure it out sooner.
by SaintBevo on Nov 2, 2008 10:33 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Well Put PB
Well said, I couldn’t begin to articulate the prison-rape/beat-down we took in the first half.
I continue to be exasperated by how we can get down – read that ‘utterly unprepared to play’ to teams (this one in particular). Our first offensive play a safety?? For the love of …, good teams show up, ready to play in good company or bad – I watched Paterno prevail against Ohio State last week. I can’t find any other team that gets in a hole like we did last night (and previous seasons to Tech and Okie State).
I’m just speechless …
by HalfmileHorn on Nov 2, 2008 10:39 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
They let us score?
With time running out for Tech, do you think they let us score? I was happy we scored when we did, but I was not expecting our Defense to melt down on that last drive…..
by 2Bearnest on Nov 2, 2008 10:49 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Therefore
Looking back, we should have let them run back the kickoff. Then we have the ball with over a minute to play.
Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes. If they get mad, you're a mile away AND you have their shoes.
by Caradoc on Nov 2, 2008 1:34 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
More things to rue
1. Continually shooting ourselves in the foot – kickoff going out of bounds, dumb penalties at crucial times (Adam U’s probably cost us a TD vs. a FG at the end of the half).
2. Drops by our WR’s and DB’s. The ones that stand out the most are Shipley’s and Gideon’s, but there were plenty to go around and most of them killed drives.
3. Clock management at the end of the game.
4. Only one poor kickoff coverage, but it finally had an impact on a game.
5. DL diving at and missing Harrell. We actually got close to him on alot of plays, but instead of getting to him and getting him to the ground, or chasing him to force a bad throw, we continually dove at him and missed.
6. Injuries. Just like in 2002.
7. Years ending in 2 or 8.
8. Continually giving up 10+ yards on the horizontal screen pass. We were outnumbered on it every time.
9. No replay on the horizontal pass from Harrell in his own end zone that appeared to go backwards and potentially would have been a touchback as it went out of bounds. Next play Harrell hits a receiver at the 50 yard line.
by Horncasting on Nov 2, 2008 10:59 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Wouldn't put it past Leach
He has ultimate trust in the offense to score with 1:30 to go, why not let us score?
by HornsFaninCalifornia on Nov 2, 2008 11:02 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Tha is what
I was thinking that exact thing while watching the game. Both me and my girlfiend thought it was the best football game played a year. Tough loss to a good team.
by scarab on Nov 2, 2008 7:14 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
PB:
Terrific post. Three of them, actually. Many words, so much logic and bringing together fact and analysis and reading the emotions of us diehards. Thoughts on this post and the previous two (Postgame React and Road Ahead) that bother me:
**Blaming the coaches when the players (receivers and DBs) drop passes/interceptions is unfair. Blame the players.
**Picking on Beasley is trendy, fine. He’s out there because of an injury, he’s limited and he made some bad plays. And some good ones. His is a case of REALLY NEEDING to be redshirted (in 2006), but the recruiting broke down to the point he had to play. He’s still learning; if he were a third-year soph with a junior or senior AND Chykie in front of him, we wouldn’t know his name.
**Criticizing scoring too fast is silly. That’s not the decisive sequence. The first quarter was more important. Tech’s last drive. McCoy’s interception and TT’s TD return on the play following the only hold called all night on either team; and the play before that an illegal procedure on the Horns. Not to mention two dropped INTs on that final drive.
**A loss is still loss. This was a loss that happened despite losing a top WR, the top DE, a starting CB . . . probably more. Point is, with all that, and 19-0 and 29-13 deficits on the road against an unbeaten team, Tech needed two INT drops and a miracle play to win. Like I said, it’s still a loss.
**I figure Tech is ripe to be blitzed by Oklahoma State. Regardless, Tech WILL lose in Norman, so Cowboys hold the key to our future; they gotta beat Tech or OU, and I’m not sure which helps most.
by edsp on Nov 2, 2008 3:47 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
It depends on which you think is more important
Is it critical for Texas to get to and win the Big 12 CG for us to land in Miami? If not, we probably need less pieces of the puzzle to fall for us to get to Miami.
by HornsFaninCalifornia on Nov 2, 2008 3:55 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
not silly
Criticizing scoring too fast is silly. That’s not the decisive sequence. The first quarter was more important. Tech’s last drive. McCoy’s interception and TT’s TD return on the play following the only hold called all night on either team; and the play before that an illegal procedure on the Horns
The sequence of events in the final minutes of the game is the decisive sequence. Of course if we don’t get bombed in the 1st quarter, or if colt doesn’t throw the pick, the game is different, but here’s the point: All of that did happen and we were still in position to win the game with 2 minutes left. Who knows if running an extra 20-30 seconds off the clock before scoring would’ve made a difference? Perhaps not, but I sure like our chances more with 30 fewer seconds on the clock.
by SaintBevo on Nov 2, 2008 7:39 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Good point
about using another 30 seconds. So, what you have the offense do? Horns get the ball following TT field goal: 5:45 to play, down 32-26.
**McCoy hits Collins for 14 and a 1st down on 3rd-and-five.
**Fozzy busts for 21 and a first down at TT 40.
**McCoy to Shipley on next play for 10 and first down at the 30.
**Next three plays are McCoy for 5, Ogbonnaya for 6 and a pass to Shipley for 8, another 19 yards and the clock keeps running except for the first down stoppage.
**McCoy runs for 6 more and a first down at the 5. Clock stops to move the chains. That’s six plays in a row where the clock keeps moving except for first down resets. How you gonna work more time off the clock? Push the play clock to 01 every time? Chance getting a delay penalty? Take a knee on second-and-2 from the 11 (before McCoy’s first down rush to the 5)?
**Fozzy gets 1 on what I thought was a dreadful call - non-power back running a power play from 5 yards out.
**Next play, McGee scores from the 4. Should he dive to the 1, keep the clock moving and set up third-and-goal from there? Suppose a lineman jumps on the next play? Suppose Tech does what they did on the first play of the game from the OTHER 1, and now you’re looking at fourth-and-goal from the 6.
Answer is get the damn touchdown. The winning formula then consists of (1) stop the KO return better, (2) get to the QB once on the six plays Tech needed to win, (3) don’t drop two interceptions.
by edsp on Nov 2, 2008 9:23 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Milk the clock
on the goal to go situations down to 2-3 secs left.
by HornsFaninCalifornia on Nov 2, 2008 9:28 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Clarification please
If a defender is out of bounds, just like Curtis Brown, when attempting a tackle does that make the ball carrier he’s attempting to tackle out of bounds as well?
by HornsFaninCalifornia on Nov 2, 2008 4:41 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
What about...
If two DBs were going for an INT one of whom is out of bounds. The one who catches it is in bounds but is touching his teammate (out of bounds). Same thing, still in bounds?
by HornsFaninCalifornia on Nov 2, 2008 5:31 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
One loss...
does not make or break a season. We have three games left; four counting the Bowl. With a very real possibility of a BCS game. There may not not be an NC but this can still be a hell of a year for a team that is in all truth rebuilding.
by 71grad on Nov 2, 2008 6:01 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I would rather lose by a field goal than a crabtree touchdown.
I was pissed at the effort of Curtis Brown and Earl Thomas on the last play. if he had just wrapped up crabtree and let him fight for the touchdown the game would have been over,..
by ATXLonghorn on Nov 2, 2008 6:17 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Small quibble here
There’s effort and there’s ability. I saw no lack of effort, just lack of anticipation and tackling skill. That’s why coaches cringe when they have to play first- and second-year players at CB and safety. But that’s what we are. That’s what got us 8-0 and No. 1 for three weeks.
by edsp on Nov 2, 2008 9:27 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
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