 "Photo: Sam Grenadier")
The Red Raider football team now has its own version of the White House, and the candidates vying for the top spot are quarterback Graham Harrell and All-American receiver Michael Crabtree.
Texas Tech announced a 2008 politically-designed campaign that promotes Crabtree and Harrell for the Heisman Memorial Trophy on the Web site, passorcatch2008.com, by providing information for national voters who may want to keep an eye on each candidate just as Big 12 Conference play begins at Kansas State on Saturday.
"We have been presented with a unique opportunity at Texas Tech," Associate Athletic Director Chris Cook said in a press release. "Whereas most programs are promoting one individual, we have two worthy candidates for consideration. Choosing one over the other to promote is not an option. Therefore, we are leaving that decision up to the voters. We will present the information and platforms as they unfold."
Tech went all out for the campaign, including a secret service (offensive line), a commander in chief (Tech coach Mike Leach) and a secretary of defense (defensive coordinator Ruffin McNeill).
On the Web site, Harrell and Crabtree each prepared a video urging voters to side with them, but after each of them acknowledge the others' accomplishments, they expose a humorous side to them.
Once Harrell praises Crabtree's record-breaking 2007 campaign, he reminds voters in a sarcastic manner of the real reason his receiver put up those numbers.
"But I ask you to consider one thing this election season, how do those footballs get in the air?" Harrell said with a straight face. "Footballs just don't magically fly through the air - they don't - it's science."
On the other hand, Crabtree has his moment to discuss Harrell's 2007 season but continues into his own pitch.
"When it comes down to your vote, I have to ask you something," Crabtree said. "What happens if I don't grab the ball out the air - an incompletion? The clock stops, nobody wants that."
During Tech's weekly press conference Monday, guard Brandon Carter said he was unsure what to say about being involved in the secret service, or he could just be following the rules of secrecy.
"It's kind of one of those if I tell you I'd have to kill you thing," he joked. "It's kind of a secret deal."
It has been difficult for Crabtree to follow his debut season as a freshman in 2007 when his 134 receptions, 1,962 yards and 22 touchdowns were all freshmen records.
Through four games in 2007, Crabtree had 52 receptions for 775 yards and 11 touchdowns. So far in 2008 he has 29 catches for 457 yards and six touchdowns, but he still has impacted the season with key blocks and big plays down field.
Although those numbers don't match up to 2007, Crabtree ranks third in the nation with 114.3 yards per game and is among the nation's top receivers in receptions per game and receiving touchdowns.
Harrell, in his senior season, has spread his name among the record books just as easily as he distributes the ball to his receivers. Against SMU this season, he broke the school records for career passing touchdowns with 97 and career touchdowns responsible for, with 104, surpassing former quarterback Kliff Kingsbury for each record.
Furthermore, the Ennis native is one of six quarterbacks all-time to throw for 5,000 yards in a season, and he could gain that amount again this season, averaging 393.2 passing yards per game.
The campaign comes during a week when No. 7 Tech has its highest ranking in The Associated Press poll since 1976, when it was No. 5 for three consecutive weeks, prompting Leach to remind his two stars about their objective that matters most.
"I don't pay attention to the campaign either," Leach said after he was asked about the rise of media attention. "They just need to go out and play well."
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