Texas Tech University Athletics
Countdown to Kickoff
August 06, 2008 | Football
Aug. 6, 2008
Texas Tech kicks off the 2008 season in 24 days against Eastern Washington at Jones AT&T Stadium. Kick off is set for 6 p.m. CT. For ticket information, contact the Texas Tech Athletics Ticket Office at (806) 742-TECH or (888) GO-BIG-12. Also, log-on to www.texastech.com to order season tickets!
GETTING TO KNOW Donnie Carona
Texas Tech signee Donnie Carona is a freshman placekicker from Beaumont, Texas. He will have big shoes to fill as he vies to take over for Alex Trlica. Here's a little inside information to help you get to know Donnie.
What is an interesting fact most people don't know about you?
I played running back, linebacker, kick and point returner in high school.
If you weren't playing football, what sport would you play?
Baseball
What is the worst place your cell phone started ringing?
Church
What was your favorite toy as a child?
Hot Wheels
What CD are you embarrassed to admit you own?
Taylor Swift.
What is your favorite old television show?
Happy Days
What is one interesting pregame ritual or routine you do?
Sitting in the hot tub
What would you consider to be your greatest accomplishment?
Receiving a scholarship to play football
What is your all-time favorite movie?
The Program
Who was your favorite sports hero growing up?
Michael Jordan
What nickname(s) do you have?
"Don" or "Josepee"
What is your favorite Tech tradition?
Football games
Who is your favorite professional team?
Cowboys
Who is your all-time favorite sports anchor/broadcaster?
John Madden
What is your favorite part of game days?
All the people
What is the last book you read, besides a text book?
Shooter
If you could meet any person living or dead, who would it be?
Christopher Columbus
Who and where is your dream date?
Taylor Swift in Cabo
Which teammate is most likely to be the next reality show star?
Jonathan LaCour
If you could only invite three people to dinner, who would it be?
Taylor Swift, Jessica Alba and George Washington.
What TV show are you embarrassed to admit you watch?
Friends
Who would win in a fight, Jack Bauer from 24 or Batman?
Jack Bauer
What would be your dream job, other than playing football?
Billion dollar entrepreneur
What is one thing that scares you?
Snakes
Who is the best football player you have ever faced?
The Uprights
PLAYER FLASHBACK Playing alongside one of Texas Tech's all-time great receivers, Derrell "Mookie" Mitchell had to push a little harder to step out of Lloyd Hill's shadow to display his own. Mitchell, a Red Raider wide receiver during the 1992 and 1993 seasons, was a playmaker when his team needed him. An All-Southwest Conference receiver in 1993, Mitchell was a sixth round draft pick of the New England Patriots in 1994 and played that season with the New Orleans Saints. Following his brief stint in the NFL, Mitchell signed with the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL in 1997 and immediately made a mark in the league with close to 1,500 yards and 17 TD's receiving in his first season, while also winning a Grey Cup. In 1998 he took his game one step forward, catching a CFL-record 160 receptions for 2,000 yards. In 2004 he was released by the Argonauts, and signed with the Edmonton Eskimos, who he helped win the 2005 Grey Cup. On July 2, 2007, Mitchell rejoined the Argonauts by signing a practice agreement with the team. On July 11, 2007, he was put on the active roster in time for a game against the Calgary Stampeders the following day and scored a touchdown in his first game back with the Argonauts. On July 26, 2007, Mitchell set a new Argonaut record for career receiving yards after catching a pass from Damon Allen in a home game against the Montreal Alouettes, surpassing former record holder Paul Masotti's 8,772 receiving yards. On October 27, 2007, Mitchell surpassed 12,000 career receiving yards in the CFL against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. SOURCE: Wikipedia
DAILY "DID YOU KNOW" Graham Harrell's 22 touchdown passes to Michael Crabtree last season ranks the duo fourth all-time among pass-receive tandems in the Big 12 Conference's brief history. The record is 31 by Josh Fields and Rashaun Woods of Oklahoma State -- over a three-year period (2001-03).
