Football Practice Report
September 29, 1999 | Football
Sept. 29, 1999
LUBBOCK, Texas - With improving weather on the Texas South Plains Wednesday, the Texas Tech football team practiced for almost two hours in preparation for its Big 12 Conference opener Saturday against Texas A&M.
?I?ve said the same thing every day this week, but it?s still true,? head coach Spike Dykes said. ?It was good day. We got a lot done and the kids are doing what we ask them to. I believe that?s about all you can expect.?
With the temperature about 10 degrees warmer and the sun finally out again in Lubbock, the Red Raiders practiced in shoulder pads and helmets at Jones Stadium. As usual, the bulk of the workout was devoted to Texas A&M schemes and implementing the game plan.
Prior to Wednesday?s practice, the Red Raiders absorbed the bad news that preseason Heisman and All-America candidate Ricky Williams will be scheduled for surgery to repair his injured right knee. The junior from Duncanville, Texas will miss the remainder of the season.
"It's very disappointing being out for the season, but everything happens for a reason and all I can do now is support the team and help them out,? Williams said. ?I still have to do the best job of being a (team) captain I can, even if I?m hurt.
?Being a captain, that's an all around job that doesn't stop whether you?re sick or hurt. It doesn't matter,? Williams said. ?You still gotta? meet the team and give them motivation and help them out".
Williams, who first injured the knee in the season opener at Arizona State and then re-aggravated it at Tuesday?s practice, had not played since the opener. Tech running backs coach Jack Tayrien said he will continue to use freshman Shaud Williams and juniors James Easterling and Rickey Hunter in Williams? place.
Kickoff for Saturday?s game is set for 6:08 p.m. The game will be televised nationally by FOX Sports Net.