Texts From Texas Tech Game Day
October 17, 2016 by Mike Casazza
None of us, not even Mack, can be sure about what’s yet to come for West Virginia. We’ve seen a 5-0 ranked team fall apart, and we’ve seen a team crawl out of the ashes of a winless October and piece together something that’s now produced 10 wins in 11 games. I think what we do know is that on Saturday we saw the Mountaineers improve before our very eyes, and that’s a good sign for whatever follows.
There are a few things that impress. The defense was great, and it’s markedly improved from what we witnessed earlier in the season. But when you have a bunch of players who either haven’t played this defense or who haven’t played this much, those same players are bound to improve. Tony Gibson’s 3-3-5 is bizarre and a good deal of its success comes from how weird it is and how three days isn’t enough time to get ready for it. That said, he’d tell you he doesn’t do a lot, which means players repeat a lot of the same coverages and blitzes and run fits and the like over and over and over. They catch on and they get better.
It’s sort of the same on offense, and this is where I point out the red zone offense, which had not been great, was 8-for-8 Saturday. Dana Holgorsen’s playbook is famously thin on game day, but we’re witnessing new formations that work and old formations that had been absent. I think it’s worth noting that WVU basically didn’t use tight ends at all the previous two — basically three — games and then did pretty well whenever it had Trevon Wesco on the field Saturday. Texas Tech wanted to stop the run, and those big sets WVU used didn’t let that happen.
To me, that’s part of the hallmark of Saturday. WVU wanted to play a very specific game, and it did. WVU wanted to avoid a very specific game, and it did. The offense and the defense pretty much did what they wanted to do, although we do have to point out that Texas Tech’s defense is horrendous and its offense doesn’t have many layers. But this wasn’t about luck or unexpected events or ideas. It was a Hannibal Smith game. That’s a really good sign.
And again, the Mountaineers never left their comfort zone. I really thought Texas Tech would be the team to do that. I wasn’t sure the Red Raiders could win, but I thought they could get a 14-0 lead or a 13-3 lead and make WVU re-evaluate things. We’re five games in and that panic button is dusty. I know Kansas State had a 13-point lead in the third quarter, but did Holgorsen scrap the plan, act desperate and get lucky? I would not say that.
I would say that through the 5-0 start and with 10 wins in 11 games the Mountaineers and their head coach have figured out how to find and secure success. The challenge now is to sustain it the rest of the way.
I’m Iron Man. No cheap cash metal, I’m steel alloy. True identity hidden inside secret tabloids. Breathe oxygen, both sides of my jaw carry oxes. The texts hit like the bangers in 100-watt boxes.
9:43:
Driving from Pittsburgh to NC, saw Rte. 19 closed for Bridge Day, let’s hope WVU fans don’t have that “I wanna jump off a bridge” feeling around 330pm…
12:12
Like the use of the stacks to get White free for 6. Btw, BYU used the double stack formation last night… copycougars
12:12:
Away game Skyler is here
12:12:
Two weeks to script that opening series?! #weregonnarunalloverthem
12:19:
Please run the football here.
12:20:
Overruled.
12:20:
Never mind. Coming back. But still … let’s not abandon the run today.
12:22:
I will say this … I want a healthy Crawford when WVU plays Oklahoma.
12:22:
Hell of a run.
12:24:
If Mahomes is mediocre today, WVU has no excuse.
12:28:
New wrinkle of slot receiver used with double stacks. Also, McKoy doing some work blocking on Shorts’s reception
12:29:
Wish I’d said this before the games started, but Oklahoma -14 seemed like free money from the get-go.
12:30:
Someone said Mahomes is nothing more than a backyard quarterback. It was Mack. And he was right as usual.
12:30:
Brown is the anti-Gastineau with that Lo key sack celebration
12:32:
Watching game a mile high in Denver. These brownies taste a little different but thinking I’ll eat another watching our special teams make decisions.
12:34:
Lots of allergy medicine and lotion ads during this game. Is that what that ‘Raider Rash’ thing is about?
12:37:
I think we all knew how to pronounce Kwiatkowski but chose not to pronounce it correctly. But I’m convinced that no one in the world knows how we are sup
12:37:
posed to pronounce Rushell Shell.
12:38:
McKoy got ridden like that Raider mascot’s horse, no call?
12:38:
Maybe Molina needs what Lambert was on
12:38:
The refs for USA versus USSR 1972 were more objective
12:39:
Well, #TeamGo4It needs to return.
12:40:
I bet David Long Sr is a bad man
12:42:
New nickname “Open Field Tackle By” David Long.
12:43:
Gibby we might have to rush more than 3, dammit
12:44:
Don’t mind the receiver 50 yards downfield by himself….
12:45:
Another time out? Good gravy!
12:45:
WVU D confused, TT calls TO. Nice.
12:45:
I like that Dana gives Gibby timeouts like I give my wife croutons off my salad. “Want em? Take em. I’m not gonna use em.”
12:46:
This is gonna be a sweet footnote when its 56-17 at the end and players carry Gibby off the field on their shoulder.
12:47:
Well we know Dana won’t need those TOs at the end of the half
12:49:
Horrible over rush. Just awful.
12:49:
That’s it. I’m getting drunk. I ordered a pitcher for myself.
12:49:
So apparently we have no pass defense today. Smh.
12:49:
Gibby just throwing that jab out there, feathery and light.
12:50:
[Frank]. [Frank].[Frank]. How are 2 guys that wide open in the end zone? 3rd and 29. [Frank].[Frank].[Frank].
12:50:
That was pathetic defense
12:50:
Jeremy looked like Steven Tyler on that one.
12:51:
I guess that’s what great offenses do, you play great D and they still score
12:51:
Jeremy Tyler would make an awful outfielder
12:51:
Glad we used those two timeouts that drive
12:52:
Yeah Dana should totally scrap the hot potato play
12:53:
You think Skyler don’t like contact??? BRING IT!
12:54:
Thanks Shelton. [Amoeba].
12:55:
However, how was that no offsetting unsportsmanlike calls?!
12:55:
Holding was a garbage call. Gibson was stupid.
12:57:
Why would you call a screen on 2nd and goal from almost the 30?
12:58:
From a guy who didn’t think Skyler had played a single good game before this season … He’s been great this year. I am officially a Skyler Howard guy.
12:58:
BOOM
12:58:
KYZIR SOZE!!!
12:58:
If you’re a receiver on this team, you have no excuse for not lighting it up.
1:01:
Kicking field goals in Lubbock is akin to bringing a knife to a gun fight.
1:04:
A lot of smack talk out there today.
1:07:
Has Tyler ever played before? WTF?
1:08:
They are calling holding now in the Big 12… will wonders never cease?
1:08:
So…we just forgot how to play defense altogether?
1:08:
We miss Dravon. Mango farming Mike Joseph!
1:11:
Do we get to do the Appalachian Chinese Bandit song after that one? #letsgauxmountaineers
1:13:
I guess that hold by Tyler was a good play after all.
1:15:
Everybody but shell can run on TT.
1:17:
I mean, does shell watch crawford cut teams up and think, ‘nah, I’m good.’
1:18:
Why isn’t Crawford in?
1:20:
That drive… you think Matt Leinart is watching this? [arrogant person]!
1:25:
Did the TT offense score 100+ points against its defense in spring game?
1:26:
Keep playing passive [football] defense.
1:26:
Waaaay too much time to throw
1:26:
DAWGYSTYLE
1:27:
Plays are there to be made. Have to think Tech will eventually.
1:31:
Oh god oh God oh god. I dont want to depend on Shell. No.
1:31:
Dammit
1:31:
6 minute TD drive would be nice here.
1:35:
Just once, make the RZ easy. Please?
1:37:
Awww, our lil baby is growing up! Yay, Skyler!
1:38:
Living good today! The Skyler keepers are actually working!
1:47:
Gibby is a mango farming warlock
1:49:
A lateral? Only in the big 12. [Soft toss] refs.
1:50:
Great half
1:55:
Wellman is a guy that the media claims is good and I don’t think he is. Not that tough and clearly can’t catch.
2:00:
Wanny, go away. PLEASE GOD!
2:06:
Robert Smith ….write in candidate for Prez!
2:11:
Everyone is waiting for Grier next year, but no quarterback is going to play better for WVU than what Howard is playing right now.
2:12:
30 more minutes
2:17:
Safeties unsafe today.
2:23:
five minutes for three points. take that trade
2:23:
now let’s get seven
2:28:
Holgs going full Huggs!
2:28:
shorts dropped a pass?
2:29:
Holgy not happy to call that TO!
2:29:
HCDH a little upset with Skyler
2:30:
There isn’t anything scientific about this statement, but I will say it again. WVU spreads it to too many players. It needs the top guys that they can fe
2:30:
ed it to for big plays.
2:35:
Red zone penalties are a thing
2:36:
eagle eye refs
2:36:
Can’t have that. Field goal is a loss here.
2:37:
There is no amount of points WVU will score today to satisfy Dana. This is a horrendous TTU defense and we can’t stay out of our way.
2:37:
Tech’s cowbell game is trash. If you’re going to do something so embarrassing, need to go all out like MSU.
2:45:
Really undisciplined pass rushing today. Can’t give up your outside shoulder so easy as an end.
2:45:
Walters having a day
2:45:
Mahomes is like a sober manziel
2:46:
the bigger they are the harder they fall
2:49:
Shell’s like the 4th-best runner on this team
2:50:
Adam getting a lot of screen time since changing his name to Panke
2:52:
The real McKoy? The real McKoy.
2:53:
clinic
2:59:
Red Bull accomplished!
2:49:
Vintage Dana. Points. Red Bull. Swearing. Tantrums. Red Bull
3:00:
stop. missing. tackles.
3:01:
taking timeout from children’s party for a peek: 👍
3:04:
#BEATEMDOWN
3:05:
laughable tech call. fake punt
3:05:
I think Kingsbury is a dolt but that had to be a mistake. Either that or he needs fired
3:05:
Any chance the cliff will hire Casteel next year?
3:06:
team is growing up and improving. #mojo. #lunchpailswagger
3:06:
sign the man, Lyons
3:07:
Okay…Rushell Shell!
3:08:
Dana was right about this game getting into the 40s
3:09:
This might be the best WVU offensive line ever.
3:10:
41-10. head down typing?
3:10:
If Kliff Kingsbury looked like Bob Huggins he would’ve been fired two years ago.
3:15:
I drank a pitcher of beer. And then a bottle of oktoberfest. And feel sober. #20Miler
3:16:
Why are things so hostile in Lubbock?
3:19:
We need an oxygen tank for Texas Tech
3:20:
How is leading with your hands now considered targeting?!
3:21:
[Forget] that [stigma]. That was “oh, sorry, we need to make up for ejecting the TT player, too.”
3:22:
So a [bad] call leads to a touchdown for TT. Great.
3:22:
Targeting my [aardvark]! He lead with his hands to the chest. Get over it, Red Raiders! #GoodHitFleming
3:22:
Wonder if #WaiverU tries to get this overturned. Looked like Fleming got shoved into it, like kick catch interference.
3:24:
Skysman!
3:27:
Dammit not McKoy too
3:30:
Might be the brownies but this offense looks good today.
3:37:
3:40:
50 point streak. Over.
3:42
Shell really showing me something today. Not sure he cares, but I thought he should know.
3:42:
We gonna be like
3:44:
That’s how you play mango farming football!
3:47:
Can’t wait to see Holgorsen scream “Ask me about red zone now [mothmen]!”
3:47:
don’t give us too much love. #stayhungry. #hunternothunted
3:48:
Gibby’s D plays up to the level of challenge
4:11:
I remember in WVU’s first Big 12 season when you said “Kansas is going to pick off somebody…” You don’t make that prediction any more.