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There were enough offensive fireworks and topical comments to ensure that the pure recollection of Texas Tech’s game at Oklahoma State in 2007 remains just as entertaining as watching the events unfold live.
When it was done, so much had happened it was hard to remember everything.
Both teams totaled 1,328 offensive yards in a 49-45 OSU victory that featured eight lead changes, OSU coach Mike Gundy emphatically announcing his age (“I’m a man! I’m 40!”) and Tech coach Mike Leach criticizing his defense for allowing 610 total yards (366 rushing).
But probably the most notable development of that game is the lasting effect it had on Tech’s defense. It was the final game defensive coordinator Lyle Setencich coached before resigning, leaving the door open for someone to shake things up.
In came Ruffin McNeill, and the signs of a new and improved defense were evident from then on. Two years later, McNeill is credited with giving Leach a defense that literally has won games this year — quite the contrast considering the offensive history this decade in Lubbock.
“I’d like to think 600 yards rushing would be different,” said Leach in reference to how his defense is different from the 2007 squad that lost to OSU in Stillwater, Okla. “That’s when we made the change. They play harder. Ruffin brings a lot of enthusiasm and inspiration. He’s got a lot of enthusiasm personally, and I think it rubs off on the players.”
Leach — whose team faces No. 17 OSU 7 p.m. Saturday in Stillwater — could have meant that in a literal sense, considering McNeill chest-bumps players more often than Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp.
But for McNeill, the improvement started with a change in mentality and being prideful in attention to details such as running off the field or lining up quickly.
Add a consistent approach to basics and a passion for football and that equals McNeill’s formula.
“We emphasize fundamental practices more than scheme,” he said. “I think any improvement that we have has to be attributed to the details and the fundamental differences.”
One of the more glaring statistics that proves McNeill’s difference-making abilities is sacks.
Since his first full season began in 2008, the Red Raiders have 60 total sacks — 30 last year and 30 so far this season. McNeill has his players on pace to put together the highest sack total in back-to-back years since Leach arrived in 2000.
And he’s making it happen without the 2008 duo of defensive ends Brandon Williams and McKinner Dixon, who had 22 sacks between them. Now it’s defensive end Brandon Sharpe leading the way with 10.5, second in the nation.
Looking back at 2007, Tech cornerback Jamar Wall sounded like McNeill was controlling his thoughts, saying about the same thing McNeill talks about regularly.
“We were kind of sluggish around that game and you could tell,” Wall said during Tech’s weekly press conference. “Everything has been different after that game, from running on and off the field to everyone running to the ball, all kinds of small detail things that you can tell led up to big things.”
That difference may have a lot to do with McNeill’s connection with the players and how that relationship motivates them to extract every ounce of potential on and off the field.
“His enthusiasm and the love he has for us, you can see the passion in his eyes every time he talks to us,” Wall said. “For someone to be that passionate about his team and that he would do that for us — run through walls or take a bullet for us — it just makes you play harder. I mean if he’ll do it, why not do it for him?”
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