 "Photo: Karl Anderson")
Heading into its first bye week during the season in four years, the Texas Tech football team does not want to lose its rhythm after thumping UMass 56-14 on Saturday in its most well-rounded output of the season.
"We're working on fundamentals, paying attention to detail, trying to be really sharp on that, and just get good work," Tech coach Mike Leach said. "I think each week you gotta get a week better, whether you're playing anybody or not, you have to get a week better because you only get so many opportunities to improve."
After having Monday off as usual, the team will not practice Friday before heading into a short practice Saturday.
Leach said the week off gives the Red Raiders a chance to focus on fundamentals and rest some ailing bodies heading into the Big 12 Conference opener Oct. 4 at Kansas State.
However, there are some traps Leach tries to avoid falling into during a bye week, he said.
"I think sometimes it can break your rhythm if you let it - you don't get good work," said Leach, whose team is 4-0 under him for the third time since he was hired in 2000. "Then there's the two extremes: Some guys may not resist the temptation to overwork the guys, and some guys may underwork them. Either one is a problem."
Strong side linebacker Bront Bird said he does not think this Tech team will have any problems becoming complacent with its work ethic.
"I guess there could be (a problem) if a team gets lackadaisical and doesn't take it seriously, but I think this team is pretty mature about things," said Bird, who is third on the team with 21 total tackles. "I don't think that's gonna happen at all. I think we're just gonna look at it as another chance to get better and rest our bodies at the same time."
Bird said he actually prefers to stay busy during the week, admitting that if the team received off on Saturday and Sunday with the usual Monday off, everyone would show up for what would be a "sloppy" Tuesday practice.
"It's smart the way we're handling it and everything like that," he said. "So I think it'll work out for the best."
Through the first four weeks of the season, the running game and defensive presence have been the storylines for the Red Raiders.
Defensively, Tech is tied for the national lead with 10 interceptions, which also ties the team's total from 2007 - putting it 11 interceptions away from tying the single season school record.
In addition, the defense has stiffened on third down this season, holding opponents to a 22.2 percent third down conversion percentage - good for third in the nation. The improvement is vast when compared to how Tech ranked 90th in the category last season.
On the ground, Tech is averaging 5.92 yards per rush and 146.5 rushing yards per game thanks to Baron Batch and Shannon Woods' return to prominence. The two have combined for 794 total yards on the ground and through the air, while rushing for nine total touchdowns - Woods has seven rushing touchdowns this season.
Bird said he hopes Batch and Woods can reenergize before the Red Raiders run into some thick defenses in a tough Big 12 schedule.
"There's a couple guys on our team who are nicked up right now," Bird said. "Baron Batch, and I think Shannon Woods, are nicked up right now, but those guys are running so hard I couldn't be prouder of them. It gives everybody an opportunity to heal up."
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