<?xml version="1.0" encoding="iso-8859-1"?>
<rss version="2.0">
	<channel>		<title>RUWT? News</title>
		<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com</link>
		<description>RUWT? News for Texas Tech</description>
		<language>en-us</language>
		<copyright>Copyright 2006-2007 areyouwatchingthis.com</copyright>
		<lastBuildDate>Sun, 22 Nov 2009 05:40:43 GMT</lastBuildDate>
		<pubDate>Sun, 22 Nov 2009 05:40:43 GMT</pubDate>
		<generator>RUWT?</generator>

		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Texas Tech routs Oklahoma 41-13]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[LUBBOCK, Texas(AP) -- Taylor Potts threw for 388 yards and two
touchdowns as Texas Tech beat Oklahoma 41-13 on Saturday for its
most lopsided win ever over the Sooners.

Baron Batch ran for 136 yards and two scores for the Red Raiders
(7-4, 4-3 Big 12), who became bowl eligible for the 16th
straight season.

Oklahoma (6-5, 4-3) has its most losses since going 7-5 in 1999.
It was just the fifth victory in 17 meetings for Texas Tech
against the Sooners, and the Red Raiders had never won by more
than 10 points in the series.

The margin was a stunning reversal from last season, when the
Sooners crushed Texas Tech 65-21 to end the Red Raiders'
national championship hopes. Oklahoma hadn't lost this badly
since falling to Texas 45-12 in 2005.

Texas Tech's Alex Torres had his best game of the season with 11
catches for 163 yards.

The victory was No. 83 for Mike Leach, surpassing predecessor
Spike Dykes as the winningest coach at Texas Tech.

The Sooners' pass defense came in at No. 18 in the nation (178
yards per game) but couldn't hold back Texas Tech's passing
offense, ranked second in the country.

Brandon Sharpe helped keep the Oklahoma offense out of rhythm.
He entered the game second in the nation in sacks and added 2
1/2 more Saturday.

Landry Jones was 18 of 35 for 262 yards for the Sooners.

With Texas Tech comfortably ahead at the start of the fourth
quarter, Red Raiders fans and players began to hop up and down
to House of Pain's "Jump Around," reciprocating what Sooners
fans did at Memorial Stadium during last November's rout of the
Red Raiders.

That loss ended Tech's unbeaten season and kept the Sooners
ahead of Texas in the BCS standings, which helped send OU to
play for the national championship against Florida.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[ncaaf]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/ncaaf/news/136046-Texas-Tech-routs-Oklahoma-41-13</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/ncaaf/news/136046-Texas-Tech-routs-Oklahoma-41-13</guid>
				<pubDate>Sat, 21 Nov 2009 22:17:08 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[No. 17 Cowboys rely on D in 24-17 win over Tech]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By JEFF LATZKE
AP Sports Writer

STILLWATER, Okla.(AP) -- Zac Robinson made all the tough plays to
put No. 17 Oklahoma State in position to win.

Then, as trainers had to help him off the field, it was up to
the defense to get one last stop against Texas Tech - and the
Cowboys came through in a 24-17 victory Saturday night that kept
their slim hopes for a Big 12 championship alive.

"You could just tell. Our whole defense was confident," said
Patrick Lavine, who returned an interception 21 yards for a
touchdown to provide the final margin. "I didn't see any worries
in anybody's eyes."

The Red Raiders (6-4, 3-3) had one last chance after Robinson's
fumble on a scary collision with safety Jamar Wall with 98
seconds left. Robinson sat up immediately, but then lay back
down and stayed that way for a few minutes as a handful of
teammates gathered around. He eventually walked to the bench
with the help of team trainers.

Taylor Potts got Texas Tech to midfield with 58 seconds left but
that's where the drive stalled. Tramain Swindall dropped a short
pass on fourth-and-4 and OSU ran out the final 16 seconds.

"We had to make sure we held onto this win for him because
(Robinson) had done such a great job the whole second half of
getting those first downs and tucking his shoulder and being a
tough quarterback like you need," linebacker Andre Sexton said.
"We had to make sure we came away with this win for him."

The Cowboys remained a game behind Texas in the Big 12 South and
have already lost to the Longhorns.

The game marked the series' first return to Stillwater since
2007, when OSU coach Mike Gundy delivered his "I'm a man! I'm
40!" tirade after the game and Texas Tech replaced its defensive
coordinator after returning home.

This one lacked the fireworks of that 49-45 Cowboys' victory,
but still had the same fourth-quarter drama.

Keith Toston put Oklahoma State up 17-10 with his touchdown run
early in the fourth quarter, one play after his fumble inside
the 1 was overturned by instant replay and two plays after he
plunged forward for a 2-yard gain to convert a fourth-and-1 at
the 6.

Lavine followed that by stepping in front of Steven Sheffield's
pass to tailback Baron Batch and racing up the OSU sideline for
the score. He came into the game tied with Kentucky's Sam
Maxwell for the most interceptions among Bowl Subdivision
linebackers, with four.

"I try not to think about it. I don't want to jinx myself or
nothing," said Lavine, who was prepared to jump the play after
seeing the Red Raiders run it repeatedly. "That's something I'm
not even thinking about right now."

Potts, benched in favor of Sheffield in the first half, led the
Red Raiders right back after Lavine's return with a scoring
drive that took only 67 seconds. He finished it off with a
24-yard TD pass to Edward Britton to bring Tech within 24-17.

Sheffield had provided a spark for Tech after a slow start,
leading his team downfield before throwing an interception to
Perrish Cox at the Cowboys' 2. Tech's defense forced a
three-and-out, and Sheffield came right back to hit Alex Torres
for a 12-yard scoring pass to cap a 32-yard drive and put the
Red Raiders up 10-7.

He couldn't do much after that and finished with 117 yards on 16
for 23 passing with two interceptions. Potts was 19 for 35 for
190 yards with one touchdown and one pick - also by Cox.

"They're both inconsistent and at some point we've got to just
be consistent, and be consistent at other positions," said Tech
coach Mike Leach, who was denied what would've been a
school-record 83rd win at Texas Tech. "We dropped too many
balls. We missed some holes at running back. Up front, I thought
we had great protection at times and then there'd be key times
when we weren't so great."

After allowing some rare pressure against Robinson in the first
half, the Cowboys (8-2, 5-1) relied on their Big 12-leading
rushing attack to drain the clock in the second half. Oklahoma
State - which had just 95 total yards, and 36 rushing on 21
carries, in the first half - piled up 207 yards on the ground
after halftime and controlled the ball for 22 minutes.

"Even though we weren't moving the ball, we felt like we had to
continue to run it," Gundy said. "We just couldn't get into a
throw-a-thon."

Robinson converted four third downs on the ground in the second
half and finished with 99 yards rushing and 90 yards passing.
Toston had 76 yards and Kendall Hunter 68 as the Cowboys amassed
243 yards on the ground.

Robinson picked up nine yards on a second-and-10 from the 14 and
refused to slide, instead getting leveled by Wall. Both players
remained on the ground for several minutes.

"At that point in the game, that play essentially seals the game
for you. When he took that hit, Zac's competing. He's trying to
score," Gundy said. "If when he got out there, he slides, the
game's over. You can just sit on it because they don't have any
timeouts. Hopefully his head's OK and I can pound on him for
that."]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[ncaaf]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/ncaaf/news/134123-No-17-Cowboys-rely-on-D-in-24-17-win-over-Tech</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/ncaaf/news/134123-No-17-Cowboys-rely-on-D-in-24-17-win-over-Tech</guid>
				<pubDate>Sun, 15 Nov 2009 06:21:26 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[TTech, Okla St revisit program-changing shootout]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By JEFF LATZKE
AP Sports Writer

STILLWATER, Okla.(AP) -- When Mike Leach last brought his Texas
Tech team to Oklahoma State, he concluded the trip with a
scathing assessment of his players as "soft" and lacking the
toughness needed to win.

He called out his offense, which had racked up more than 700
yards, as "incredibly front-runnerish" for putting the defense
in a situation where it had to get a late stop. And he
criticized the defense for failing to stand toe-to-toe with the
Cowboys and do its job in the 49-45 loss.

When the Red Raiders got back home, there was a change at
defensive coordinator.

And Leach's post-game fireworks weren't even the most notable
from that 2007 game. Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy used his
time at the podium to lash out at a newspaper columnist for an
article on the Cowboys' change at quarterback, unleashing a
pick-on-me-instead, "I'm a man! I'm 40!" tirade that has lived
on in commercials and Internet videos.

Gundy was 12-15 as the Cowboys' coach at that time and the
program was coming off a humbling loss at Troy in Zac Robinson's
first start at quarterback when they beating the high-flying Red
Raiders.

"That was a big win for us," Gundy said. "As a coach you don't
realize that I think there's a lot of pressure outside that
people put on players and coaches. And coaches don't really
realize it because we just coach and do our job and we
understand what's going on."

The shootout victory was a watershed moment for Oklahoma State.
The No. 17 Cowboys (7-2, 4-1 Big 12) are 22-10 since then and
appeared in the Top 5 earlier this season for the first time in
24 years.

But the game wasn't even a speed bump for the Red Raiders (6-3,
3-2). In fact, it was perhaps a catalyst for the program's rise
last season, including a landmark win against Texas and a rise
to the No. 2 ranking.

Ruffin McNeill, who got the job when Leach lost his temper,
turned Tech's defense into a respectable unit, making the team
more than just an offensive juggernaut.

"A lot has changed, just the whole mentality of the defense,"
said Tech defensive back Jamar Wall, a senior. "We were kind of
sluggish around that game and you could tell. Everything has
been different after that game, from running on and off the
field to everyone running to the ball, all kinds of small detail
things that you can tell led up to big things."

In that 2007 win, OSU had three players rush for 100 yards in
the same game for the first time in school history. Tech
defensive coordinator Lyle Setencich resigned the next day.

"That's when we made the change and played harder," Leach said.
"Ruffin brings a lot of enthusiasm and inspiration. He's got a
lot of enthusiasm personally and I think it rubs off on the
players. We have a more inspired unit out there."

When the teams meet Saturday night, Oklahoma State will be
trying to keep some pressure on No. 3 Texas and keep the
Longhorns from clinching the Big 12 South title. At the same
time, it's a chance to make up for a 56-20 defeat in Lubbock a
year ago that was the Cowboys' worst performance of the season.

"I think most of us look back on that game kind of disappointed
in the way it turned out," said OSU's Andrew Mitchell, who
filled in at right tackle for the injured Brady Bond last week.
"It got away from us pretty quick."

Tech's revamped defense held Oklahoma State to its lowest
scoring total and a season-low 19 first downs last year.

The Red Raiders, meanwhile, racked up more than 500 yards
against OSU for the second straight year - after the Cowboys
allowed a school-record 718 yards in the 2007 game.

"It's going to be a pretty big task," Oklahoma State tailback
Keith Toston said. "I wouldn't call it a rivalry game but it's a
game that us as an offense, we have to go try and match whatever
their offense does."]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[ncaaf]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/ncaaf/news/133458-TTech-Okla-St-revisit-program-changing-shootout</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/ncaaf/news/133458-TTech-Okla-St-revisit-program-changing-shootout</guid>
				<pubDate>Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:14:39 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Texas Tech's season after the brink a struggle]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By BETSY BLANEY
Associated Press Writer

LUBBOCK, Texas(AP) -- Texas Tech coach Mike Leach believes worthy
pirates go into battle with swords held high.

A self-proclaimed piratetologist, Leach has revisited his sword
analogy this season, reminding his Red Raiders: "None of that
droopy stuff," he said.

Droopy, though, is how this season in Lubbock compares to last.

Texas Tech was undefeated through 10 games this time last year,
ranked No. 2 in the country and basking in back-to-back wins
over top-10 opponents. On Saturday the unranked Red Raiders take
three losses into No. 17 Oklahoma State.

There's been internal strife this season- nothing close to a
mutiny, though - and Leach has resorted to some, well,
politically incorrect tongue-lashing.

He chastised players after the recent loss to Texas A&M for
listening to "their fat little girlfriends," and thinking the
Aggies were a pushover. And after the Red Raiders loss at
then-No. 12 Houston in September, Leach suspended indefinitely
starting offensive lineman Brandon Carter for violating team
rules.

The loss to the Cougars was the second straight for the Red
Raiders, who had fallen 34-24 at No. 2 Texas in an early Big 12
matchup. This season is the first since 2002 - Leach's third
season - that the Red Raiders dropped two of their first four
games.

That same week Leach banned his players from having Twitter
pages after linebacker Marlon Williams asked on his account why
he was still in a meeting room when "the head coach can't even
be on time."

Leach has also juggled quarterbacks - a first for his program.
Injuries gave him no option. Starter Taylor Potts went out with
a concussion in early October. He was replaced by former walk-on
and backup Steven Sheffield, who led the team to two wins before
injuring his left foot at 15th-ranked Nebraska.

Potts, supported by fans until Sheffield showed more spark, drew
boos when he returned for the A&M game. Leach even went to
third-stringer Seth Doege after Potts got his third turnover
against the Aggies. Doege started the game against Kansas.

It isn't just the record (6-3, 3-2 Big 12) that's slid this
season. Fan support has waned, too.

The city and the university went nuts last season after Texas
Tech beat top-ranked Texas on a final-second touchdown pass and
the eighth-ranked Cowboys, both at home.

This season, not so much. There's been just one sellout in six
games and seats in two bleacher sections added since last year -
and opened for the A&M game - are empty.

Despite all the woes and losses, cornerback Jamar Wall said this
year's team is a tight unit.

"We haven't been perfect this year and that's why it (all) kind
of stands out more," he said. "We're all playing hard every
single game. Things might not go our way but we're all still
pulling as a family."

Receiver Alex Torres said the season has been tough at times.

"We've gone through some controversy throughout the season, just
ups and downs, Torres said. "That all come down to our team's
discipline and focus throughout the season."

Leach said his players will be fine if they remain focused on
their inner pirate.

"I think it's always tested," he said. "It's tested in practice,
I think it's tested individually and team-wise. I think that's
what you got to just keep battling away."

When Leach goes off on his pirate tangents it's not like a
60-second cameo from a recent episode of the TV show "Friday
Night Lights," that he taped while in Austin for the Texas game.

In the bit part, Leach asks a motorist at a gas station how to
get to Lubbock. Then Leach recognizes the man as a well-known
but dispirited high school coach who's lost his inner pirate.
Leach tells him he's got to swing his sword properly.

Viewers "just got a small taste of it; we got hours of it," Wall
said. "One meeting that's all we did was talk about waving the
sword one way or another."]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[ncaaf]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/ncaaf/news/133011-Texas-Techs-season-after-the-brink-a-struggle</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/ncaaf/news/133011-Texas-Techs-season-after-the-brink-a-struggle</guid>
				<pubDate>Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:05:49 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Batch helps Texas Tech beat Kansas 42-21]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By BETSY BLANEY
Associated Press Writer

LUBBOCK, Texas(AP) -- Baron Batch rushed for 123 yards and four
touchdowns to help Texas Tech beat Kansas 42-21 on Saturday.

The Red Raiders scored 28 consecutive points in the fourth
quarter to hand the Jayhawks their third consecutive loss. Batch
had three of his four scores in the period.

Dezmon Briscoe had nine receptions for 110 yards and a touchdown
for Kansas (5-3, 1-3 Big 12), which lost four of its five
fumbles. Todd Reesing completed 20 of 35 passes for 181 yards,
his worst outing since he got 162 yards last year against Kansas
St.

Reesing's 6-yard toss to Briscoe gave the Jayhawks a 21-14 lead
with 5 seconds left in the third but Texas Tech (6-3, 3-2)
dominated the fourth.

Batch had TD runs of 1 and 17 yards to give the Red Raiders a
28-21 lead with 8:49 remaining. LaRon Moore returned a fumbled
snap 31 yards for another touchdown before Batch's 11-yard run
capped the scoring with 2:05 left.

The two offenses started slowly, with neither team crossing the
50 in the first quarter. Each team punted five times in the
first half.

Texas Tech's Seth Doege, a redshirt freshman making his first
start, completed 14 of 28 passes for 159 yards, including a
61-yard strike to Detron Lewis that tied it at 7 early in the
second.

One-time starter Taylor Potts replaced Doege in the second half
and finished 11-for-19 for 94 yards.

Doege fumbled twice, leading to two Kansas TDs. Maxwell
Onyegbule returned one 3 yards for the game's first score. Toben
Opurum had a tying 2-yard run with 47 seconds remaining in the
second after Doege coughed it up again.

Reesing struggled against a consistently strong pass rush from
the Red Raiders, who sacked him six times.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[ncaaf]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/ncaaf/news/130441-Batch-helps-Texas-Tech-beat-Kansas-42-21</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/ncaaf/news/130441-Batch-helps-Texas-Tech-beat-Kansas-42-21</guid>
				<pubDate>Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:25:06 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Texas A&M upends No. 21 Texas Tech 52-30]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By BETSY BLANEY
Associated Press Writer

LUBBOCK, Texas(AP) -- A week after a humiliating loss, Texas A&M
responded with its first victory against a ranked team under
coach Mike Sherman.

Cyrus Gray scored four touchdowns to lead Texas A&M past No. 21
Texas Tech 52-30, snapping a three-game losing streak for the
Aggies.

Texas A&M (4-3, 1-2 Big 12) hadn't won in Lubbock since 1993 and
was coming off an awful performance against Kansas State. A&M
lost 62-14 last week.

Sherman, in his second season with A&M, told his players this
game would show how they responded to tough times.

Then Tech score in six plays on its first possession, and the
Aggies lost a fumble on their first play.

Here we go again, A&M fans must have thought. Instead, the
Aggies held the Raiders after the fumble and put together a
nine-play drive that ended in a touchdown.

"We were at a crossroads," Sherman said. "That was a turning
point in the game."

The Aggies had 334 total yards in the first half against the Red
Raiders a week after they had 301 against K-State.

"I told the guys during this week that this game was more about
them as a man than it was about them as a football club and how
they needed to respond to play this ball game," Sherman said.

"I'm proud of them as a man and as a football club tonight."

Jerrod Johnson completed 19 of 28 passes for 238 yards and a
touchdown, and added 71 yards and another score on 10 carries.

Gray, who finished with 131 yards on 25 carries, rushed for
three touchdowns and caught a 12-yard pass for another.

The 52 points by the Aggies was the most they've ever scored
against the Red Raiders and the win was A&M's first over a
ranked Texas Tech team.

"He brought this team from utter despair Monday to a point where
they could play hard and win the game," Aggies defensive
coordinator Joe Kines said of Sherman.

The Red Raiders (5-3, 2-2) went to Seth Doege at quarterback
after Taylor Potts fumbled in the third quarter.

When Gray didn't have the ball teammate Christine Michael chewed
up his share of yards. Michael gained 121 yards and two
touchdowns - including a 44-yarder on the Aggies first
possession of the second half - on 22 carries.

"It was a big win for us," Michael said. "We played as a team,
defense and offense, special teams, we all had a great night."

Johnson came into Saturday night's game leading the Big 12 with
16 TD passes and was second in the league with 315.5 yards
passing per game.

The Red Raiders' offense appeared flat in Potts' first start
since sustaining a concussion Oct. 3 against New Mexico. He was
25 of 36 for 310 yards and two touchdowns before he was pulled
from the game midway through the third quarter.

Potts was responsible for three turnovers, two of which led to
Aggies scores.

Texas Tech moved into the rankings for the first time this
season after winning 31-10 at then-No. 15 Nebraska last week.
Steven Sheffield, the backup who made his second career start in
that game, was in street clothes and using crutches on the
sidelines Saturday night.

Fans chanted "no more Potts" shortly after Terrence Fredericks'
interception in the end zone just before halftime.

Leach said his players let their guard down.

"If you have a ridiculously weak opponent, you might play bad
and overpower them, but you can't do that against a tradition
and a program like Texas A&M," Leach said. "If it was easy
anybody could do it. If it was easy, I'd be coaching the Swedish
bikini team and I'd have them coming out here to do all this."

Potts committed his third turnover when he fumbled on Texas
Tech's second possession of the third quarter. Linebacker Von
Miller hit Potts from behind and the ball was recovered by Tony
Jerrod-Eddie on the Red Raiders 33.

"I don't think Potts ever got in a rhythm," Leach said. "I don't
know if he tried to make too much happen. ....just looked, you
know, slow and statue-like."]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[ncaaf]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/ncaaf/news/128769-Texas-A-M-upends-No-21-Texas-Tech-52-30</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/ncaaf/news/128769-Texas-A-M-upends-No-21-Texas-Tech-52-30</guid>
				<pubDate>Sun, 25 Oct 2009 04:21:04 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[No. 21 Texas Tech looks to get 4th consecutive win]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By BETSY BLANEY
Associated Press Writer

LUBBOCK, Texas(AP) -- For the first time in Texas Tech coach Mike
Leach's tenure, there's no Red Raiders quarterback anywhere on
the national list of top passers heading into Saturday night's
game against Texas A&M.

The quarterbacks in charge of No. 21 Texas Tech's high-octane
offense this year - starter Taylor Potts and backup Steven
Sheffield - can't stay healthy.

Leach, whose quarterbacks at some point in every one of his nine
seasons have led the nation in passing, won't reveal who'll
start against the Aggies, who are trying to end a three-game
skid.

"We wouldn't have it any other way," Leach said of his game-day
decision.

The Red Raiders (5-2, 2-1 Big 12) moved into the rankings for
the first time this season after winning 31-10 at then-No. 15
Nebraska last week. Sheffield, the backup QB in his second
career start, threw for 234 yards and one touchdown.

He also ran for two TDs but hobbled off the field, apparently
with an injured left foot. Potts, who led the nation in passing
earlier this season, suffered a concussion before halftime in an
Oct. 3 win over New Mexico.

Leach does not acknowledge or comment on player injuries.

The two QB's stats together - Potts has 13 TDs and 1,817 yards;
Sheffield has 12 TDs and 1,014 yards - would surpass the
nation's top passer, Case Keenum of No. 17 Houston. Keenum has
19 touchdowns and 2,501 yards; Potts and Sheffield have 25 TDs
and 2,831 yards.

Aggies coach Mike Sherman said it doesn't matter who
quarterbacks Texas Tech.

"They have a great system out there," Aggies coach Mike Sherman
said. "They plug 'em in and out in a lot of positions."

Leach mentioned Colorado and Purdue as teams that beat ranked
opponents last week and that no one on his now-ranked team
should look past the Aggies.

"In this conference you have to respect everybody. There's
nobody that isn't good enough to beat you," Leach said. "I
suspect that (the Aggies) will come out swinging."

Like Potts and Sheffield at Texas Tech, A&M had a little QB
competition of its own before the season.

Jerrod Johnson won the starting spot over Ryan Tannehill, who
played receiver last season.

In last week's 62-14 loss to Kansas State, Johnson set a school
record with his fourth 300-yard passing game of the season. He
threw a Big 12 record 225 passes without an interception before
throwing three against the Wildcats.

Johnson still leads the Big 12 in total offense (342.5 yards per
game) and touchdown passes (16) and ranks second in passing
(315.5 yards per game).

Sherman believes Johnson's leadership approach will serve the
Aggies well against the Red Raiders.

"I think he's been very effective doing it that way," he said.
"He will do what it takes. I don't think his personality is such
that he's going to yell and scream at guys."

Texas A&M (3-3, 0-2 Big 12) had the nation's top offense through
its first three games, averaging 574 yards. Facing better
defenses the last three weeks, the Aggies have averaged 380
yards in three losses.

A&M has been running a no-huddle offense designed to wear down
opposing defenses this season. They rank second in the nation in
offensive snaps per game (83.5).

Sherman has been moving around offensive linemen to compensate
for injuries and inexperience. The Aggies have allowed 12 sacks
in the last three games, compared to only four in the first
three games.

A&M will face another active defense Saturday, as the Red
Raiders are eighth nationally in sacks (23, with 3.3 per game).
Brandon Sharpe, a Big 12 defensive player of the week after his
four sacks at Nebraska, has eight for the season, tied for
fourth nationally.

Sharpe has gotten seven of his sacks in the last three games.

The Red Raiders defense, frequently a question mark, impresses
Sherman.

"They play good, solid defense," Sherman said. "They play their
system, they believe in their system, and they match up on your
routes pretty good."]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[ncaaf]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/ncaaf/news/128312-No-21-Texas-Tech-looks-to-get-4th-consecutive-win</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/ncaaf/news/128312-No-21-Texas-Tech-looks-to-get-4th-consecutive-win</guid>
				<pubDate>Fri, 23 Oct 2009 07:01:46 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Texas A&M-Texas Tech Preview]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By MATT BROWN
STATS Editor

Texas A&M (3-3) at Texas Tech (5-2), 7:00 p.m. EDT

Texas Tech is one victory away from its longest home winning
streak in school history. Given the current struggles of this
week's opponent, the Red Raiders appear highly likely to achieve
that feat.

Fresh off a road win over a ranked opponent and in the Top 25
themselves for the first time this season, the No. 21 Red
Raiders seek their 13th straight victory in Lubbock, where a
record crowd may gather Saturday to watch them face slumping
Texas A&M.

Texas Tech (5-2, 2-1 Big 12) has won 12 in a row at home,
including four wins this season in which it has averaged 51.8
points. This will be the third of four October home games for
the Red Raiders, who wrap up the month by hosting Kansas next
Saturday.

The lone road game of the month, though, gave Texas Tech its
most impressive victory, a 31-10 win in Lincoln over then-No. 15
Nebraska. The usually prolific Red Raiders offense was held to
259 yards - 263 under its average - but that was more than
enough as the unsung defense held the Cornhuskers to their
lowest point total since 2007.

Senior defensive end Brandon Sharpe had four of Texas Tech's
five sacks - increasing his season total to eight - and also
batted down a pass.

"I was just out there having fun, running hard, trying to get
noticed," Sharpe said. "We were just working hard. Come off the
ball and good things will happen."

Quarterback Steven Sheffield is certainly getting noticed. The
junior, who threw seven touchdown passes in his first career
start - a 66-14 win over Kansas State two weeks ago - only threw
one against the Cornhuskers, but he ran for two scores and
completed 23 of 32 passes for 234 yards. He also went 6 for 6 on
an 80-yard drive to open the game.

"He went out there and elevated his level of play, marched down
there and scored," coach Mike Leach said. "That electrified the
whole defense. The entire offense for sure. And, I think our
team."

If Sheffield doesn't electrify the Red Raiders on his own
Saturday, the fans certainly might as their team seeks its
fourth straight win. Texas Tech is significantly increasing the
capacity in Jones AT&T Stadium for the first time in nearly 50
years and will open the new seats - giving the stadium a
capacity of close to 60,000 - for this contest.

Those fans will watch a team that has won 12 straight at home
for the first time since 1939-41. The Red Raiders have also won
seven in a row in Lubbock and four straight overall over the
Aggies (3-3, 0-2), who don't appear primed to end any of those
streaks.

Texas A&M has dropped three in a row and is trying to avoid its
first four-game slide since Oct. 29-Nov. 25, 2005 - a slump that
included a 56-17 loss in Lubbock. The Aggies may have hit bottom
last Saturday, turning the ball over five times and falling
behind 59-0 en route to a 62-14 defeat at Kansas State, their
worst loss since a 77-0 rout by then-No. 1 Oklahoma in 2003.

"The only thing you can do when you get something like this is
try to teach them something," coach Mike Sherman said. "If they
want this one game to define them or this season, then they'll
just lay down and take it. But if they want to rise above and
meet this opportunity that adversity has created, then they can
really do something special. That's what I expect out of this
team."

Sherman's defense completely failed to control the line of
scrimmage, giving up 232 rushing yards and six touchdowns on the
ground to the Wildcats. On the other side of the ball, junior
quarterback Jerrod Johnson passed for 314 yards and a pair of
scores, but threw his first three interceptions of the season
and completed only 21 of 45 attempts.

"I can't exactly say what happened, we just didn't click very
well on offense," Johnson said. "Things just seemed to snowball
and it was one of those nights, one of those things that
happened. I'm glad it's in our past and now we've got to move
forward."

Johnson went 26 of 39 for 283 yards in last season's meeting
with Texas Tech, a 43-25 loss for the Aggies at College Station.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[ncaaf]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/ncaaf/news/127647-Texas-A-M-Texas-Tech-Preview</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/ncaaf/news/127647-Texas-A-M-Texas-Tech-Preview</guid>
				<pubDate>Tue, 20 Oct 2009 16:11:10 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Sheffield, Texas Tech upsets Nebraska 31-10]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By ERIC OLSON
AP Sports Writer

LINCOLN, Neb.(AP) -- Texas Tech took a break from its
win-with-offense style.

The Red Raiders' 31-10 upset of No. 15 Nebraska clearly belonged
to the defense.

Steven Sheffield passed for a touchdown and ran for two in his
first road start, but the offense went dormant for long
stretches of the second half, and the defense never let Nebraska
back in the game.

"We were losing yards as fast as we were gaining them there for
a while," Tech coach Mike Leach said. "We tested them in about
every way that we could. Bad field position. The offense goes
three-and-out and then three-and-out. It was like, 'What are you
going to do about this, defense?' They just kept stepping up."

Texas Tech (5-2, 2-1 Big 12) won for the first time in four road
games since last October. The Raiders came to Lincoln with the
nation's second-ranked offense, but they managed just 259 yards
- 263 under their average - and mustered only 47 in the second
half.

Still, the effort was good enough, largely because of a defense
that held Nebraska (4-2, 1-1) to 285 yards and the Huskers'
lowest point total since a 41-6 loss to Missouri in 2007.

The loss further exposed Nebraska's offensive shortcomings
against quality defenses. For the second straight week Zac Lee
and the Huskers did next to nothing for three quarters.

Last week they were able to rally for four touchdowns in the
fourth and beat Missouri 27-12.

There would be no late comeback against Tech.

"We didn't execute from the beginning to the end," Nebraska
coach Bo Pelini said. "On offense, we didn't come off the ball.
We didn't catch the ball. We didn't make the right reads at
quarterback. We didn't run the ball effectively.

"On defense, we didn't make plays. You can sit there and ask all
of the questions you want in the world. It comes down to we got
beat because we didn't make plays. We got outplayed and
outcoached."

Lee was pulled in favor of Cody Green in the middle of the
fourth quarter, but offensive coordinator Shawn Watson wasn't
ready to say whether he would re-open the competition for the
starting quarterback's job before next Saturday's game against
Iowa State.

Lee and Green were harassed all afternoon by Tech's front seven.
Defensive end Brandon Sharpe had four of Tech's five sacks,
running his season total to eight. Sharpe also batted down a
pass. Brian Duncan added eight tackles, and strong safety
Franklin Mitchen had seven stops and intercepted Green after the
Huskers had driven inside the 15 in the fourth quarter.

"I was just out there having fun, running hard, trying to get
noticed," Sharpe said. "We were just working hard. Come off the
ball and good things will happen."

Sheffield, who passed for 490 yards passing and seven touchdowns
in his debut as the starter against Kansas State last week, was
nearly perfect early, completing 14 of his first 16 passes
against the Huskers. Playing for the injured Taylor Potts,
Sheffield went 9-for-16 in the second half and finished with 234
yards.

"Second half, the offense slumped but the defense picked up our
slack. Thank God for the defense," Sheffield said.

Sheffield picked up where he left off last week against K-State.
He completed all six of his passes while leading the Red Raiders
on an 80-yard touchdown drive to start the game, finishing with
a 16-yarder to Baron Batch.

"He went out there and elevated his level of play, marched down
there and scored," Leach said. "That electrified the whole
defense. The entire offense for sure. And, I think our team.

Sheffield couldn't get anything going on his next series, but
Tech's defense provided a big lift. Nebraska's Niles Paul
fumbled after taking a lateral from Lee, and Daniel Howard
picked up the ball and ran it back 82 yards for a 14-0 lead.

"After I fumbled, that was a big letdown," Paul said. "Nobody
knew what was going on. It threw us off our game."

The loss comes a day after Pelini finally handed out the
Blackshirts, a tradition dating to the 1960s where the defensive
starters wear black practice jerseys as a symbol of excellence.

Pelini waited until midseason for the second straight year to
unveil the Blackshirts, and nose tackle Ndamukong Suh said
Pelini should take them back.

"It had nothing to do with our black shirts, yellow shirts,
white shirts or whatever ....," Pelini said. "It's not about
blackshirts."]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[ncaaf]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/ncaaf/news/127116-Sheffield-Texas-Tech-upsets-Nebraska-31-10</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/ncaaf/news/127116-Sheffield-Texas-Tech-upsets-Nebraska-31-10</guid>
				<pubDate>Sun, 18 Oct 2009 01:53:35 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[No. 15 Huskers vs TxTech, hope to shed South woes]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By ERIC OLSON
AP Sports Writer

LINCOLN, Neb.(AP) -- How No. 15 Nebraska fares in crossover games
against the Big 12 South won't necessarily decide where the
Cornhuskers end up.

But games like the one Saturday against Texas Tech can give them
an idea of where they stack up in the league's power structure.

"If you want to be a dominant force in the Big 12 like Nebraska
was early on in the conference's history," Nebraska center Jacob
Hickman said, "you've got to beat the South teams."

Only one of the past five North Division champs - Missouri in
2007 - won more than one of its three games against its southern
brethren. Colorado, in fact, won the North in 2004 despite going
winless against the South.

Nebraska (4-1, 1-0 Big 12), this year's North favorite, enters
the Texas Tech game with losses in 14 of its past 21
regular-season meetings with South opponents. Six of the seven
wins over that span came against Baylor or Texas A&M; the other
one was against Texas Tech.

When the Big 12 began in 1996, Nebraska was at the height of its
national prominence, and it won 14 of its first 18 crossover
games.

The Huskers' resurgence under second-year coach Bo Pelini has
been fueled mostly by lightweight nonconference competition and
five straight wins over North opponents, including a 27-12
come-from-behind victory at Missouri last week that vaulted the
Huskers to their highest AP ranking since September 2007.

Texas Tech (4-2, 1-1) has won three straight against the
Huskers, the last two decided in the final minute or overtime,
and is 14-7 against the North since 2002.

But the Red Raiders have lost three straight true road games
since winning at Kansas last October.

"The Big 12 is a tough road conference," Tech coach Mike Leach
said. "Any time you get stadiums loud enough, that impede
communication as much as the Big 12 stadiums, that's one of the
biggies."

Leach said he would decide shortly before game time whether to
give junior quarterback Steven Sheffield his second start, and
first on the road.

Sheffield took over after Taylor Potts sustained a concussion
Oct. 3 and is the latest in a long line of Tech quarterbacks to
produce eye-popping numbers. In last week's 66-14 rout of Kansas
State, Sheffield set a school record in the first half by
passing for 370 yards and five TDs, and he finished with 490
yards and seven TDs through the air.

"He's got really good leadership qualities," Leach said. "I
don't know the best way to describe it, but the others draw from
him well. Not just the offensive players but the special-teams
players, the defensive players. As he gets excited and
passionate about what he's doing, so do they."

Tech linebacker Bront Bird said he thinks Sheffield should keep
slinging.

"You just have to go with the hot hand," Bird said. "I don't
think Sheffield has done anything to lose the job he has been
given right now."

It doesn't matter to Pelini whether Potts or Sheffield starts.

"They're not going to change what they do," Pelini said. "Coach
Leach is not going to change. He's going to run their system. It
looked the same to me."

Nebraska's quarterback situation also merits watching.

Zac Lee struggled through three quarters in a downpour at
Missouri before throwing three touchdowns in four minutes early
in the fourth. Offensive coordinator Shawn Watson acknowledged
he came close to sending in backup Cody Green before the
comeback.

Lee completed only a combined 25 of 63 passes (40 percent) in
big games against Virginia Tech (16-15 loss) and Missouri after
shredding Florida Atlantic, Arkansas State and
Louisiana-Lafayette.

Watson and Pelini gave Lee votes of confidence this week. Lee
said he knows he must be sharper.

"It's great that they have our backs, but we have their backs,"
Lee said. "No matter what's called, we've got to make it work.
The Missouri defense did a good job on a rainy day playing in
the elements. We still could have dealt with it a little
better."]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[ncaaf]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/ncaaf/news/126842-No-15-Huskers-vs-TxTech-hope-to-shed-South-woes</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/ncaaf/news/126842-No-15-Huskers-vs-TxTech-hope-to-shed-South-woes</guid>
				<pubDate>Fri, 16 Oct 2009 15:44:22 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[No. 15 Huskers vs TxTech, hope to shed South woes]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By ERIC OLSON
AP Sports Writer

LINCOLN, Neb.(AP) -- How No. 15 Nebraska fares in crossover games
against the Big 12 South won't necessarily decide where the
Cornhuskers end up.

But games like the one Saturday against Texas Tech can give them
an idea of where they stack up in the league's power structure.

"If you want to be a dominant force in the Big 12 like Nebraska
was early on in the conference's history," Nebraska center Jacob
Hickman said, "you've got to beat the South teams."

Only one of the past five North Division champs - Missouri in
2007 - won more than one of its three games against its southern
brethren. Colorado, in fact, won the North in 2004 and '05
despite going winless against the South both years.

Nebraska (4-1, 1-0 Big 12), this year's North favorite, enters
the Texas Tech game with losses in 14 of its past 21
regular-season meetings with South opponents. Six of the seven
wins over that span came against Baylor or Texas A&M; the other
one was against Texas Tech.

When the Big 12 began in 1996, Nebraska was at the height of its
national prominence, and it won 14 of its first 18 crossover
games.

The Huskers' resurgence under second-year coach Bo Pelini has
been fueled mostly by lightweight nonconference competition and
five straight wins over North opponents, including a 27-12
come-from-behind victory at Missouri last week that vaulted the
Huskers to their highest AP ranking since September 2007.

Texas Tech (4-2, 1-1) has won three straight against the
Huskers, the last two decided in the final minute or overtime,
and is 14-7 against the North since 2002.

But the Red Raiders have lost three straight true road games
since winning at Kansas last October.

"The Big 12 is a tough road conference," Tech coach Mike Leach
said. "Any time you get stadiums loud enough, that impede
communication as much as the Big 12 stadiums, that's one of the
biggies."

Leach said he would decide shortly before game time whether to
give junior quarterback Steven Sheffield his second start, and
first on the road.

Sheffield took over after Taylor Potts sustained a concussion
Oct. 3 and is the latest in a long line of Tech quarterbacks to
produce eye-popping numbers. In last week's 66-14 rout of Kansas
State, Sheffield set a school record in the first half by
passing for 370 yards and five TDs, and he finished with 490
yards and seven TDs through the air.

"He's got really good leadership qualities," Leach said. "I
don't know the best way to describe it, but the others draw from
him well. Not just the offensive players but the special-teams
players, the defensive players. As he gets excited and
passionate about what he's doing, so do they."

Tech linebacker Bront Bird said he thinks Sheffield should keep
slinging.

"You just have to go with the hot hand," Bird said. "I don't
think Sheffield has done anything to lose the job he has been
given right now."

It doesn't matter to Pelini whether Potts or Sheffield starts.

"They're not going to change what they do," Pelini said. "Coach
Leach is not going to change. He's going to run their system. It
looked the same to me."

Nebraska's quarterback situation also merits watching.

Zac Lee struggled through three quarters in a downpour at
Missouri before throwing three touchdowns in four minutes early
in the fourth. Offensive coordinator Shawn Watson acknowledged
he came close to sending in backup Cody Green before the
comeback.

Lee completed only a combined 25 of 63 passes (40 percent) in
big games against Virginia Tech (16-15 loss) and Missouri after
shredding Florida Atlantic, Arkansas State and
Louisiana-Lafayette.

Watson and Pelini gave Lee votes of confidence this week. Lee
said he knows he must be sharper.

"It's great that they have our backs, but we have their backs,"
Lee said. "No matter what's called, we've got to make it work.
The Missouri defense did a good job on a rainy day playing in
the elements. We still could have dealt with it a little
better."]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[ncaaf]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/ncaaf/news/126807-No-15-Huskers-vs-TxTech-hope-to-shed-South-woes</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/ncaaf/news/126807-No-15-Huskers-vs-TxTech-hope-to-shed-South-woes</guid>
				<pubDate>Fri, 16 Oct 2009 07:01:23 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Sheffield? Potts? Leach undecided]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By BETSY BLANEY
Associated Press Writer

LUBBOCK, Texas(AP) -- Pity poor Mike Leach.

The Texas Tech coach has two prolific quarterbacks and must
decide which will lead his pass-happy offense at No. 15 Nebraska
on Saturday.

Leach can go with Taylor Potts, who got the starting nod this
season and led the nation in passing the first four weeks. Or he
can pick backup Steven Sheffield, who came off the bench two
weeks ago and threw three touchdowns after Potts got a
concussion. The former walk-on, whose nickname is "Sticks,"
threw seven more TDs in a 66-14 rout of Kansas State last week.

Potts is apparently back from the concussion, though Leach
doesn't talk about injuries.

A dilemma most coaches would love to talk about? Not Leach, who
skirted the issue by saying he won't make his decision until
Saturday.

"We're going to look at practice and see how people do in
practice and see how they play in practice and perform in
practice," he said.

Sheffield's quarterbacking talent hasn't surprise Leach. His
influence on his teammates did, though.

"There's no question I thought he would play well," the coach
said. "Kind of the spark he brings and how the team feeds off
him, the extent of that was kind of impressive."

Potts, who also has a seven-touchdown game this season (55-10
over Rice), was on the sidelines in street clothes last week. He
was still recovering from two hard sacks in the Red Raiders' win
over New Mexico.

In five games this season, Potts is 159-of-235 passing (67.7
percent) for 1,817 yards, 13 TDs and six interceptions.
Sheffield in three games is 53 of 70 (75.7 percent) for 780
yards, 11 TDs and two interceptions.

Playing both isn't an option, Leach said.

"I think there are some problems with that and I think that's
why most teams that do it do it ineffectively," he said. "I
think you have to have two really talented guys that are pretty
evenly matched in order to do that, but typically I think it
hurts you."

While acknowledging Sheffield's "impressive" influence on
teammates, Leach has never voiced concerns about Potts'
leadership, going so far earlier this season as to compare his
swagger to John Wayne.

The two players Leach made available to reporters this week,
linebacker Bront Bird and offensive lineman Marlon Winn,
hesitated briefly before saying they think Sheffield should
start.

"It's the energy that he brings," Winn said. "He'll come in and
light up a whole room. If he has a bad play, he'll come back and
make the next play. He's just a great guy."

Tried and true is how Bird saw it.

"Right now, I think you have to go with the hot hand," he said.
"I don't think Sheffield's done anything to lose the job he's
been given right now."

Nebraska coach Bo Pellini said there's more to the Red Raiders
than their quarterback.

"They're both good players," he said of Sheffield and Potts.
"They've both shown they can make good plays. We're going to
defend their offense. They're just one cog in the offense.
They've shown they can be productive no matter who's back
there."

Potts played backup for two years to two-time 5,000-yard passer
Graham Harrell, who last year led the Red Raiders to one of
their best seasons. Sheffield, a junior, was the Tech's scout
team quarterback last year.

Matt Monzingo, Sheffield's coach at Connally High School in
Pflugerville, Texas, said his former charge played with
enthusiasm and it was infectious with teammates.

And, he said, Sheffield's seven touchdowns last week wasn't a
first. Sheffield threw seven in one half during a high school
game in 2005.

"For a guy to have that kind of ability and that kind of
leadership on the field is just a coach's dream," Monzingo said.
"He enjoys football to the fullest."

Sheffield has been eager for a chance to play going back to
spring workouts, Monzingo said.

"He said he'd hoped he'd get a chance to prove he could do the
job," he said. "He said, 'When it comes my time, I'll be
prepared."']]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[ncaaf]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/ncaaf/news/126490-Sheffield-Potts-Leach-undecided</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/ncaaf/news/126490-Sheffield-Potts-Leach-undecided</guid>
				<pubDate>Wed, 14 Oct 2009 21:10:47 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Texas Tech-Nebraska Preview]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By JEFF MEZYDLO
STATS Senior Writer

No. 7 Texas Tech (4-2) at Nebraska (4-1), 3:30 p.m. EDT

Nebraska coach Bo Pelini seems more concerned about how well his
offense, not defense, will fare when Texas Tech comes to Lincoln
this weekend.

The 15th-ranked Cornhuskers try for a third straight victory
when they face the Red Raiders and their high-powered offense
Saturday in a Big 12 matchup.

Nebraska (4-1, 1-0) is averaging 404.6 yards and 36.8 points per
game, but Pelini feels the offense needs to play better against
strong competition.

The Cornhuskers have averaged 472 yards and 47.3 points in
victories over non-BCS opponents Florida Atlantic, Arkansas
State and Louisiana-Lafayette, but only 303 yards and 21 points
in a 16-15 loss at then-No. 13 Virginia Tech and a 27-12 win at
then-No. 24 Missouri.

Playing in a driving rain, Nebraska totaled a season-low 263
total yards - including 105 on the ground - but rallied with 27
fourth-quarter points to beat Missouri last week.

"Everyone wants to panic about the offense and what happened (at
Missouri)," Pelini said. "You have to find your way through
things."

While Pelini feels the Cornhuskers' defense - first in the Big
12 with averages of 162.6 passing yards and 8.0 points allowed -
has a chance to hold its own against Texas Tech (4-2, 1-1), he
knows the offense must be able to keep the Red Raiders' unit on
the sidelines.

Texas Tech is second nationally in scoring offense (43 ppg),
passing offense (444 ypg) and total offense (522 ypg). The Red
Raiders allow averages of 349.7 yards and 21.3 points.

Despite holding a 20-minute advantage in time of possession, the
Cornhuskers lost 37-31 in overtime at Lubbock last season.

"I don't know if you'll ever be in a game where you have that
kind of time of possession," said Pelini, whose team will try to
snap a three-game losing streak to Texas Tech. "The bottom line
is we have to score points. You're not going to shut out this
team. We need to match them."

Pelini will look for a better effort from junior quarterback Zac
Lee, who completed 76 percent of his passes against this
season's three weaker opponents, but 40 percent against Virginia
Tech and Missouri. He did throw three fourth-quarter touchdowns
against the Tigers.

"Everyone wants to point fingers at Zac. It's not Zac," Nebraska
offensive coordinator Shawn Watson said.

Pelini would like to take some of the pressure off Lee by
effectively running the ball. Junior Roy Helu, who's rushed for
552 yards and six TDs, will probably carry most of the load with
freshman backup Rex Burkhead out with a foot injury.

The Cornhuskers average 168.0 yards on the ground, but have
rushed for an average of 114.0 while being outscored 141-72
during their three-game losing streak to the Red Raiders.

"We've got to be able to run the ball better," Pelini said. "Not
just against Texas Tech, but all the time."

While Pelini is challenging his offense, the Cornhuskers'
defensive task remains a daunting one.

While original Red Raiders starting quarterback Taylor Potts
could be available for the first time since suffering a
concussion in a 48-28 win over New Mexico on Oct. 3, fellow
junior Steven Sheffield could get his second straight start
regardless.

Sheffield was 33 of 41 for 490 yards and threw for seven
touchdowns during his first career start in Texas Tech's 66-14
win over Kansas State last Saturday. The former walk-on set a
school record by throwing for 370 yards in the first half.

Potts has completed 67.7 percent of his passes for 1,817 yards
and 13 touchdowns in five games, while Sheffield is 53 of 70 for
780 yards and 11 TDs in three contests.

Still, coach Mike Leach isn't tipping his cap toward either to
start.

"You'll have to stay tuned, I suppose," Leach said. "That's what
makes sports exciting is it always changes."

Texas Tech is still looking for its first road victory after
losses to then-No. 2 Texas and then-No. 17 Houston. The Red
Raiders have won at home the last two weeks, have but dropped
their last four games against ranked opponents.

Nebraska's last win over Texas Tech was a 41-31 victory at home
Oct. 20, 2001.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[ncaaf]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/ncaaf/news/126361-Texas-Tech-Nebraska-Preview</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/ncaaf/news/126361-Texas-Tech-Nebraska-Preview</guid>
				<pubDate>Wed, 14 Oct 2009 02:58:23 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Texas Tech routs Kansas State 66-14]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By BETSY BLANEY
Associated Press Writer

LUBBOCK, Texas(AP) -- Steven Sheffield threw for 490 yards and
seven touchdown passes in his first career start to help Texas
Tech beat Kansas State 66-14 on Saturday night.

The Red Raiders backup quarterback was 33-for-41 and finished
with TDs passes of 52, 6, 4, 72, 28, 12 and 25 yards to five
receivers.

It was the second time this season that a Texas Tech (4-2, 1-1)
quarterback notched seven passing touchdowns. Taylor Potts, out
with a concussion this week, threw seven in a 55-10 win over
Rice.

Texas Tech put the game out of reach by halftime. The Wildcats
(3-3, 1-1) got into Texas Tech territory only once in the first
half and punted five times.

Sheffield, who had 370 yards by halftime, threw two TDs to
Detron Lewis and Torres, and one each to Tramain Swindall,
Jacoby Franks and Lyle Leong.

Sheffield's first-half yardage set a school record, besting the
367 yards thrown by B. J. Symons against Mississippi in 2003.

Three Red Raiders receivers tallied 90 yards or more. Lewis
caught eight passes for 100 yards, Franks had three passes for
99 yards and Swindall got 97 yards on five catches.

Sheffield threw to 11 receivers before leaving the game with
about 10 minutes remaining in the game.

Texas Tech's running game kept Kansas State off-balance. Baron
Batch rushed for 86 yards on nine carries and Harrison Jeffers
got 55 yards on seven carries.

The Wildcats offense was anemic in the first half. They
sustained only one drive in the first half, managing four first
downs and hanging onto the ball for more than six minutes on
their opening possession. Grant Gregory got sacked three times -
twice by Brandon Sharpe and once by Ra'Jon Henley - before
Carson Coffman replaced him late in the second quarter.

Kansas State's first score came from its defense. Sheffield
threw an interception on his first pass of the second half when
Wildcats end Jeffrey Fitzgerald stepped in front of a ball meant
for Alex Torres and returned it 17 yards to make it 38-7.

It wasn't until quarterback Carson Coffman replaced Gregory that
the Wildcats showed some life. He was 11-for-17 and finished
with 131 passing yards.

Coffman found some success in the third quarter but it didn't
translate into a touchdown. After a 52-yard pass to Daniel
Thomas and a 29-yarder to Jeron Mastrud, the Wildcats failed on
a fourth-and-5 and gave the ball back to the Red Raiders.

Kansas State scored its second touchdown - and its only
offensive one - midway through the fourth quarter when Keithen
Valentine ran for an 8-yard touchdown to whittle the margin to
59-14.

Valentine got 96 yards on eight carries.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[ncaaf]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/ncaaf/news/125815-Texas-Tech-routs-Kansas-State-66-14</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/ncaaf/news/125815-Texas-Tech-routs-Kansas-State-66-14</guid>
				<pubDate>Sun, 11 Oct 2009 02:51:41 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Texas Tech lineman back after suspension]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[LUBBOCK, Texas(AP) -- Texas Tech team captain Brandon Carter is
back from his suspension for violating team rules.

Tech spokeman Chris Cook says the guard practiced Sunday for the
first time in more than a week.

Tech hasn't released details of what led to the suspension. The
Lubbock Avalanche-Journal reported that Carter threw his helmet
and loudly criticized coaches after a Sept. 19 loss at Houston,
but Cook told The Associated Press on Monday he couldn't confirm
that report.

Carter was one of the Tech players who had a Twitter page before
coach Mike Leach banned them, but the suspension was unrelated.

Tech beat New Mexico 48-28 last weekend and faces Kansas State
at home Saturday.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[ncaaf]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/ncaaf/news/124609-Texas-Tech-lineman-back-after-suspension</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/ncaaf/news/124609-Texas-Tech-lineman-back-after-suspension</guid>
				<pubDate>Mon, 05 Oct 2009 15:33:12 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Potts released from hospital after 2 hard sacks]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[LUBBOCK, Texas(AP) -- Texas Tech quarterback Taylor Potts has been
released from a Lubbock hospital after being injured Saturday
following two sacks by New Mexico before halftime.

Covenant Medical Center spokeswoman Michelle Stephens told The
Associated Press that Potts was released Sunday but couldn't
disclose what he was treated for.

The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal reported Sunday that Potts had a
concussion. The newspaper also reported that cornerback Nathan
Stone was admitted to the hospital and "was being examined for a
possible spinal injury he suffered making a tackle on a
third-quarter kickoff."

Stephens said Stone is in stable condition.

The Red Raiders defeated New Mexico 48-28. Backup Steven
Sheffield, playing in only his second game, threw for 238 yards
and three touchdowns.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[ncaaf]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/ncaaf/news/124491-Potts-released-from-hospital-after-2-hard-sacks</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/ncaaf/news/124491-Potts-released-from-hospital-after-2-hard-sacks</guid>
				<pubDate>Sun, 04 Oct 2009 21:21:12 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Texas Tech beats New Mexico 48-28]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By BETSY BLANEY
Associated Press Writer

LUBBOCK, Texas(AP) -- Backup quarterback Steven Sheffield threw
for 238 yards and three touchdowns to help lead Texas Tech to a
48-28 win over New Mexico on Saturday.

Taylor Potts, the nation's leading passer, left the game before
halftime after two hard sacks appeared to affect his balance.
Officials from Texas Tech (3-2) declined to comment on his
injury.

Sheffield threw scoring passes of 25, 20 and 62 yards. He was 16
of 23 with one interception. Alex Torres, Detron Lewis and
Harrison Jeffers caught the touchdowns.

Potts was intercepted twice, both by cornerback Nathan Enriquez.

The Lobos (0-5) got their only first-half score off Potts'
second interception. Donovan Porterie threw a 7-yard TD pass to
Josh Fussell in the second quarter.

Porterie completed 30 of 56 passes for 316 yards and two
touchdowns.

The loss for New Mexico was its ninth straight dating to last
season.

The game capped a week of off-the-field distractions for both
teams.

Red Raiders coach Mike Leach made headlines when he indefinitely
suspended Brandon Carter, a team captain and preseason
All-America pick, for violating team rules following Texas
Tech's 29-28 loss to No. 12 Houston. Carter was in the stands
for much of the game. He did not practice with the team this
week.

Leach also banned his players from using Twitter after learning
Marlon Williams had tweeted about Leach being late to a team
meeting.

For the Lobos, coach Mike Locksley is under investigation by the
university following a Sept. 20 fight involving an assistant.
Receivers coach J.B. Gerald told police Locksley struck him
during a staff meeting. Gerald hasn't been with the team since
the incident.

At the outset, Texas Tech showed no signs of being distracted.

On its first possession, Potts threw a 79-yard pass to Tremain
Swindall, who outran Lobos defenders to the 1 on the Red
Raiders' longest play from scrimmage this season. Jeffers took
the ball in on the next play to put the Texas Tech up 7-0.

Potts, who was without a touchdown pass, was not on the sideline
after halftime. He got sacked hard twice late in the second
quarter.

Tech trainers checked Potts' balance - he stood on one foot and
then the other - and rubbed the back of his neck.

Lobos linebacker Carmen Messina sacked Potts on a first-down
play and Johnathan Rainey threw him to the ground on third-and-9
after Potts scrambled toward the far sideline late in the second
quarter.

The nation's leading passer got up slowly after the second sack,
then stood still momentarily as he bent over, resting his hands
on his knees. His head was down as he made his way to Texas
Tech's sideline.

Sheffield replaced Potts and led the Red Raiders on an 86-yard
drive to a touchdown, finding Torres on a 25-yard score with 1
second remaining in the half for a 14-7 lead.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[ncaaf]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/ncaaf/news/124259-Texas-Tech-beats-New-Mexico-48-28</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/ncaaf/news/124259-Texas-Tech-beats-New-Mexico-48-28</guid>
				<pubDate>Sun, 04 Oct 2009 00:34:05 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Potts out after 2 hard sacks]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[LUBBOCK, Texas(AP) -- Texas Tech quarterback Taylor Potts did not
return after halftime following two sacks by New Mexico late in
the second quarter.

Tech trainers checked Potts' balance - he stood on one foot and
then the other - and rubbed the back of his neck.

Lobos linebacker Carmen Messina sacked Potts on a first-down
play and Johnathan Rainey threw him to the ground on third-and-9
after Potts scrambled toward the far sideline.

The nation's leading passer got up slowly, stood still
momentarily as he bent over, resting his hands on his knees. His
head was down as he made his way to Texas Tech's sideline

Backup Steven Sheffield replaced Potts and led the Red Raiders
on an 86-yard drive to a touchdown, hitting Alex Torres for a
25-yard score with 1 second remaining in the half for a 14-7
lead.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[ncaaf]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/ncaaf/news/124212-Potts-out-after-2-hard-sacks</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/ncaaf/news/124212-Potts-out-after-2-hard-sacks</guid>
				<pubDate>Sat, 03 Oct 2009 21:52:18 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Tweetout: Texas Tech bans Twitter for players]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By BETSY BLANEY
Associated Press Writer

LUBBOCK, Texas(AP) -- Tweeting is out of bounds for football
players at Texas Tech.

Coach Mike Leach said Monday he has banned his players from
using Twitter after one of his linebackers noted the coach's
tardiness to a team meeting in a tweet Sunday, one day after the
Red Raiders lost 29-28 at No. 12 Houston.

According to the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, linebacker Marlon
Williams asked on his Twitter account why he was still in a
meeting room when "the head coach can't even be on time." That
tweet has been deleted and his page no longer exists.

Offensive lineman Brandon Carter, a team captain, also had a
Twitter page. After the loss to the Cougars, he tweeted: "This
is not how I saw our season."

On Sunday, Carter was suspended indefinitely for violating team
rules unrelated to his Twitter page, which was nowhere to be
found later that day.

Leach said players don't need Twitter or Facebook. He called
them "stupid" distractions.

"I think that a guy who plays college football gets enough
attention," he said. It's "a bunch of narcissists that want to
sit and type stuff about themselves all the time. We'll put
mirrors in some of their lockers if that's necessary but they
don't have to Twitter."

Leach said players' Facebook pages will be monitored. He does
not want his players sharing information about the football team
on them.

He joked about who would be watching.

"That's a committee that's very secret and the names of those
people are in a vault deep in the bowels of our training center,
which even the entrance to that is highly classified," he said.

The Red Raiders (2-2) host New Mexico (0-4) on Saturday. Texas
Tech is coming off back-to-back losses at No. 2 Texas (34-24)
and to the Cougars.

Texas coach Mack Brown said he thought it would be against the
law to tell players they can't use social networking sites like
Twitter, MySpace and Facebook.

"It would be a football rule and when they're students away from
us, they really are under the guise of the university more than
football," Brown said. "What we have done is encouraged them not
to be on it. If they are on it, then they need to be classy and
not put anything on there that they don't want their mom to
read. These kids think that they're just in conversation with
buddies, and that's public information."

Brown said he encourages Longhorns players to step back and
think about the ramifications of what they post - not just now,
but in the future.

"When there's a hint of trouble, people are going to go
immediately to their Twitter and their MySpace and Facebook and
see what's on there," Brown said.

Before his suspension, Carter was known as much for the colorful
mohawk and face paint as for his playing ability.

Asked how much Carter's absence would be felt, Leach responded,
"Not at all."

Shawn Byrnes, Texas Tech's center, said Carter's experience will
be missed.

"He's a big, key player, but I think we have guys who can step
up and play a role in the offensive line," Byrnes said.

Leach declined to comment on what it would take for Carter to
return to the team.

"Anything that he needs to do to get back, that's pretty much
between me and him," Leach said.

---=

AP Sports Writer Jeff Latzke in Oklahoma contributed to this
report.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[ncaaf]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/ncaaf/news/122988-Tweetout-Texas-Tech-bans-Twitter-for-players</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/ncaaf/news/122988-Tweetout-Texas-Tech-bans-Twitter-for-players</guid>
				<pubDate>Mon, 28 Sep 2009 21:27:51 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Leach bans players Twitter pages]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By BETSY BLANEY
Associated Press Writer

LUBBOCK, Texas(AP) -- Texas Tech players have been banned from
having Twitter pages.

Coach Mike Leach announced the move Monday after one of his
linebackers noted the coach's tardiness to a Sunday meeting, a
day after the Red Raiders lost 29-28 to No. 12 Houston.

According to the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, linebacker Marlon
Williams asked on his Twitter account why he was still in a
meeting room when "the head coach can't even be on time." That
tweet has been deleted.

Offensive lineman Brandon Carter also had a Twitter page. After
the loss to the Cougars, he tweeted: "This is not how I saw our
season."

On Sunday, Carter was suspended indefinitely for violating team
rules and his Twitter page was nowhere to be found.

The Red Raiders (2-2) host New Mexico (0-4) on Saturday.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[ncaaf]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/ncaaf/news/122961-Leach-bans-players-Twitter-pages</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/ncaaf/news/122961-Leach-bans-players-Twitter-pages</guid>
				<pubDate>Mon, 28 Sep 2009 17:29:12 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
	
			
	</channel>
</rss>









