Texas Tech University Athletics
Defense Gets Ruff in Win
October 06, 2007 | Football
Oct. 6, 2007
By Matt Dowdy, Texas Tech Media Relations
When Texas Tech assistant coach Ruffin McNeill was named interim defensive coordinator two weeks ago, he stated he wanted a swarming defense that saw all 11 players on the ball. Through two games, mission accomplished.
McNeill's defense held Iowa State to 287 yards as Tech went on to win 42-17 Saturday night at Jones AT&T Stadium. Ten of the Cyclones' points came off Red Raider turnovers. If not for the offensive miscues, the unit might have posted its second consecutive single-digit night.
"The biggest thing we talked about as a defense was being consistent and being mentally tough," said McNeill, who is normally the most animated Tech coach on the sideline. "I think that is a consistent element for a good football team, good defenses, and good football players. Mental toughness is important, and that means coming through on third downs and fighting through adverse situations."
The performance was the squad's best effort since holding Baylor to just 217 yards of total offense last season. Iowa State came into tonight's game averaging 363.1 yards-per-game.
Junior safety Darcel McBath registered the unit's first touchdown of the season as he took a fumble 16 yards to make the score 27-0 midway through the second quarter.
"I think they (the defense) played well," Tech head coach Mike Leach said. "I am not sure of the statistics, but if you work it up into three and half quarters, I think it is pretty impressive."
Iowa State's two touchdowns came late in the fourth quarter on a Brett Meyer run and a long Todd Blythe reception.
Besides that, the Red Raiders held the Cyclones to just three points through three and half quarters.
"I think we had a pretty good three-quarters of a game, but the last two scores bothered me," McNeill said. "Like I said last week, I can't control the other team. I can only control how we play."
Backed by freshman Colby Whitlock and sophomore Rajon Henley on the defensive line and freshmen linebackers Brian Duncan and Bront Bird, the Red Raiders have found success with a mixture of young and experienced players.
"We talked to them about two parts: one, our philosophy is great pass coverage, is great pass rush, period," McNeill said. "Second, when we do blitz, we want our secondary to know the ball is coming out hot, is coming out quick, and that depends on our front."
Evidently, the success may have painted a bigger picture into the mind of Tech quarterback Graham Harrell.
"That's one of the top performances for our defense, and if they keep playing like that, we're going to be a tough team to beat no doubt about it," he said. "I think that's the best job our defense has probably played since I've been here."
