 "Photo: Karl Anderson")
Besides the face painting and loud celebrating around the field from Texas Tech offensive lineman Brandon Carter, right tackle Marlon Winn simply missed having the preseason All-American next to him on the line.
“I missed him more than anybody else ‘cause I’m used to playing next to him,” Winn said during Tech’s weekly press conference Monday. “I’ve played next to him for two years straight. It was a little different working out chemistry with (Chris) Olson next to me. But we’re glad to have him back this week, and we’re just excited to get back to what we were doing.”
Winn will get that familiarity back Saturday against Kansas State with Carter being reinstated after he was suspended indefinitely following the Houston game Sept. 27 for breaking a team rule.
Carter practiced during the team’s usual Sunday night workout. During Tech’s 48-28 victory against New Mexico Saturday at Jones AT&T, Carter was in the stands watching the game.
Carter’s absence was felt against the Lobos. The Tech offensive line gave up five sacks — the most given up all season.
Carter has switched between left and right guard this season. Before his suspension, he started the last three games at right guard. Sophomore Mickey Okafor started at right guard against New Mexico. Olson started at left guard.
During the weekly press conference Monday, Tech coach Mike Leach was short in explaining how Carter’s return will help the offensive line against K-State Saturday.
Although reports have surfaced about why Carter was suspended, neither Leach nor anyone associated with the program has revealed details about Carter’s suspension without anonymity.
Carter is not available for comment with players being off limits to the media during the week.
With him missing a week of practice, Leach said he believes the preseason All-American will be back on track as far as play is concerned. After he said last week he did not believe the offensive line would miss Carter’s presence, Leach said he only has been concerned with leading his team to a win no matter who is out on the field.
“I don’t know where you guys get the time to sit and do all this missing and reflecting and pondering and all this other stuff,” he said of the media. “I gotta call the next play. So you guys may have the luxury with all that. I don’t.”
Winn said Tech offensive line coach Matt Moore teaching his linemen to play more than one position on the line comes in handy when injuries or anything else affects the line.
“It’s just people have to step up when the time is given,” he said. “We have young guys that are able to step up in the spots when someone goes down or something else happens. Coach Moore prepares everybody just in case something like that was to happen and we’re well-prepared.”
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