A&M was in this contest until late when, trailing by eleven, they were forced to punt for only the fifth time in the game. Tech's nearly-unstoppable offense then chewed up the rest of the clock and chose to score (Harrell run) with 18 seconds left rather than take a knee at the six inch line, winning by the margin of 18 points. I know BCS rankings and Heisman votes are at stake, but somehow this last score seemed entirely unnecessary, something I'm sure a young and talented A&M defense will remember next year. This was a very spirited contest loaded with hard hits and players leaving injured, only to return again to fight some more. Neither team was able to run and both passed effectively, which led to a highly entertaining show for the fans.
Texas Tech Big 12 Columnist: Adam Bendiksen
Game Notes:
Graham Harrell 6 6' 2.5" 203 4.90 QB 2009 -- Nearly unstoppable college QB might not have the arm or the size to start in the NFL, but should be on a roster. Possesses all the intangibles and gets rid of the ball quickly (only sacked once this year) and accurately. Nice feet and awareness in the pocket, and runs away from trouble. Not a consistent release (sidearm sometimes and slow when over the top) and not the arm strength to stick long outs or deep balls, but lethal on short/medium throws. Will occasionally hang receivers out to dry. Never panics. GRADE: Somewhat Positive
Michael Crabtree 5 6' 2.2" 208 4.45 WR 2011 -- Best receiver in nation has every physical tool, and all the mental ones, too. Only a sophomore, he's physically ready for the NFL, and appears to have the maturity level necessary to handle the spotlight. Runs, and catches, all the routes, sets up DB's, great with the ball in his hands, reads defense, killer blocker, etc., etc., etc. Great KR, also. My favorite aspect of him as a player is his toughness. He sprained both ankles in this game and returned to play after each injury. Can't say enough good things. GRADE: Very Positive
Edward Britton 27 5' 11.5" 183 4.50 WR 2010 -- Only caught one pass in this game, but looks like a Tech receiver. Quick with sticky hands and good acceleration. Breaks tackles. Worth watching next season. GRADE: Incomplete
Daniel Howard 53 6' 2.5" 240 4.70 DE 2010 -- Did not start, but was a pass rushing thorn all day. Not big but quick and strong for his size, He lined up both inside and outside. Must be an OLB at the next level. Nice rip move. Another year to develop. GRADE: Somewhat Positive
Marlon Winn 67 6' 5.0" 329 5.30 OT 2010 -- Huge lineman started terribly but got better as the game went on. Plays high, lacks quick feet & base, gets bulled back into the QB and gets beaten by speed around the corner. Stiff. Position and seal run blocker. Don't know if his second half improvement was attributed to his acclimating to his opponent's tendencies or them getting tired of being on the field so long. GRADE: Somewhat Negative
Darcel McBath 7 6' 0.5" 197 4.50 S 2009 -- Highly impressive senior a complete player. Keys & diagnoses running plays quickly, fills lanes, can play off blocks and is an effective tackler. Takes great angles. Great against the pass. Has uncanny instincts which place him at the receiver as the ball arrives. Broke up a number of passes, and is a big hitter under these circumstances -- the kind of safety who will have receivers looking over their shoulders. Rarely in man coverage, but stuck tight when he was. Not highly rated, but a gem and among the top-five safeties I've seen this season. GRADE: Very Positive
Eric Morris 12 5' 7.5" 172 4.40 WR 2009 -- Short, tough, slot-type wideout who also returns punts. Quick out of breaks and fearless going across the middle, where most of his work is done. Blocks well and has good hands. Has some Wes Welker in him, but not on that level. GRADE: Somewhat Positive
Jake Ratliff 98 6' 6.5" 249 4.90 DE 2009 -- Tall, lean lineman who must be on the move to be effective. Pretty good athlete who keeps his feet. Not overly quick and doesn't make a lot of plays, but around ball. Injured in the first half and didn't return; no update yet. GRADE: Neutral
L.A. Reed 2 6' 1.0" 201 4.50 CB 2009 -- Played in soft zone and was not tested. Virtually invisible; need to see more of him. GRADE: Incomplete
Jamar Wall 3 5' 9.5" 196 4.40 CB 2010 -- Not the biggest or fastest guy but displays nice instincts for the zones Tech likes to play. Strong physique & tackles well. Good in run support, and returns kicks. GRADE: Somewhat Positive
Brandon Williams 84 6' 4.0" 253 4.70 DE 2010 -- Top 2010 prospect on defense for Tech plays much bigger than he lists. Very strong and can pancake OL's. Aggressive. Looks a little stiff and is primarily a power rusher, but is a deceptive athlete with excellent counter-moves. Great spin-move off the bullrush, and can dip his shoulder and turn the corner. Great hands & core strength; consistently drives OT's into the QB's lap. Leading sacker in the Big-12 with seven. GRADE: Very Positive
Marlon Williams 39 5' 11.5" 224 4.60 LB 2010 -- Small so must be shielded from blockers, but flies around the field and is always around the ball. Slips blocks well vs. the run and has great range in coverage. Pursues hard, avoids trash and makes many plays. GRADE: Positive
Shannon Woods 2 5' 10.5" 200 4.60 HB 2009 -- Gave up most of his carries to sophomore Baron Batch, but runs very hard, can catch and is good in blitz pickup. Virtually no holes to run through, so he's tough to grade. Need to see more. GRADE: Incomplete
Louis Vasquez 65 6' 5.0" 335 5.4 OG 2009 -- Huge player generally acquitted himself well. Fairly quick off the ball and runs OK. Position/seal run blocker who prefers to short set in pass protection, perhaps due to scheme. Good base and strong hands. Will get a look. GRADE: Somewhat Positive
Shawn Byrnes 51 6' 2.8" 308 5.30 C 2010 -- DNP, no info yet.
Texas A&M Big 12 Columnist: Adam Bendiksen
Game Notes:
Mike Goodson 3 5' 11.0" 206 0.00 HB 2010 -- Fast, athletic, explosive back got little help in the way of blocking in this game, but he displays the skills of an NFL tailback. Nice vision and good balance/cutting ability. Seems to be more willing to lower his shoulders and take on tacklers. Catches well. Occasionally ran impatiently, but there were no holes. Love his body lean and the fact he was willing to try to get something rather than dance and lose yardage. Should stay in school and grow into his body, but draftable now. GRADE: Positive
Jorvorskie Lane 11 5' 11.5" 268 4.80 FB 2009 -- Big fella still hurting from injuries and not used as a runner. Wants to be on the field so was used a few times as a lead blocker in short yardage, and blocked effectively, a skill he never really displayed before. Close to a full return, just in time for a brutal schedule stretch. GRADE: Incomplete
Michael Shumard 76 6' 4.0" 309 5.10 OG 2010 -- Versatile lineman was abused in this game by Brandon Williams. Playing LT out of necessity this season, but definitely not suited for it. Repeatedly ended up on the ground after being battered by Williams. Gave up two sacks. Only positive were some nice run blocks -- when he pulled away from Williams. I said in my last review of him he needed to stay in school and get stronger; now there is no doubt. Made Williams look like Reggie White. GRADE: Somewhat Negative
Stephen McGee 7 6' 2.0" 220 4.70 QB 2009 -- Injured throwing shoulder kept him out; should return next game.
Alton Dixon 9 5' 10.5" 196 4.50 S 2009 -- The game I've been waiting for from him. Plays the "rover" position so can be hard to gauge, but can do a little of everything. Not tall, but thickly built and strong. Tough, hard hitter and form tackler. Good in the box, and can cover. Blitzes well, and fills hard against the run. Good instincts. Breaks down well in the open field. Made a lot of plays against a great offense. GRADE: Positive
Justin Brantly 16 6' 3.0" 245 4.90 P 2009 -- Ray Guy award candidate averaged 47 yards a punt and dropped one at the seven. Needs more hangtime, but the leg is there. GRADE: Somewhat Positive
Arkeith Brown 18 5' 11.5" 173 4.50 CB 2009 -- The more I see him play, the more I like him. A little stiff, but good speed and instincts. Closes well on balls in front of him and hits hard. Forces the run and tackles well. Not big, but physical. Ideal Cover-2 corner, and might be able to play bump&run. A gamer. GRADE: Positive
Jordan Pugh 25 5' 11.5" 185 4.50 CB 2010 -- Fast cover corner asked to play zone in this game and was barely tested, a compliment considering the offense he was matched against. Good tackler despite small frame. GRADE: Somewhat Positive
Jordan Peterson 27 5' 10.5" 184 4.50 S 2010 -- Played deep to help keep the fire from spreading and not involved as much as usual. Had some big hits but tends to injure himself in the collisions. Good tackler has another year to grow into his body. Shows the instincts necessary. GRADE: Somewhat Positive
Cyril Obiozor 49 6' 4.0" 266 4.80 DE 2009 -- Another game, another virtual no-show. Very good athlete seems to lack football awareness/skills. In fairness he was walked off in coverage a lot due to Tech's spread offense, and did not look comfortable. No sacks or pressures and only two tackles, one of which drew a 15-yard facemask. GRADE: Negative
Kellen Heard 91 6' 5.0" 331 5.30 DT 2010 -- Big, powerful kid makes his presence felt every time he's on the field. Very raw, but explosive. Can't be moved off the ball versus the run, but doesn't disengage, either. Really pushes the pocket vs. the pass, and forced an interception when he blew up a one-on-one block and nearly got a sack. Has great potential and another year to learn. GRADE: Positive
Michael Bennett 11 6' 3.0" 261 4.70 DE 2009 -- Lean, strong player started great and wore down as the game went on and Tech's offense kept moving. Strong at the point and quick off the ball, he makes his presence felt vs. both run and pass. Solid burst and fine athleticism. Might be able to play 3-4 OLB, but looks like he'll add size and be a base 4-3 end. Never quits. Will play on Sundays. GRADE: Positive
Matt Featherston 46 6' 2.0" 235 4.60 LB 2010 -- Complete LB quick and athletic enough to man the "mike" position and big and rugged enough to play inside in a 3-4. Strong, tough hitter and a fine tackler. Makes quick, decisive reads and plays downhill vs. the run. Can take on linemen and stack&shed. All over the field in pass coverage, even breaking up a throw 25 yds. downfield. Really shuts down his area. If he plays his senior year, expect huge things. GRADE: Very Positive
Other Players of Note. For Tech, sophomore safety Daniel Charbonnet leads the Big-12 with four interceptions, and hits hard. Sophomore RB Baron Batch seems to have taken most of the tailback reps from Shannon Woods, which is significant considering how much their backs are asked to do in pass protection. A&M sophomore QB Jerrod Johnson played well in McGee's absence, display great athleticism and a fine arm.