 "Photo: Karl Anderson")
Even while hobbling around on crutches, Texas Tech quarterback Steven Sheffield’s passion was evident during the Red Raiders’ loss to Texas A&M Saturday.
Relegated to the sidelines because of a broken foot, he constantly was in the ear of quarterbacks Taylor Potts and Seth Doege, among other players.
That type of enthusiasm, which was a key reason for the Red Raiders’ midseason resurgence, is one thing Tech receiver Alexander Torres said the team missed during its 52-30 loss.
“Overall, some of the things that we lacked was our whole mentality and our demeanor on the field that gets us going under pressure,” said Torres, whose team will try to rebound against Kansas 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Jones AT&T Stadium. “That’s something that (Sheffield) helps us keep up, the tempo, momentum, and our attitude going.”
Sheffield was injured in a 31-10 upset against then-No. 15 Nebraska Oct. 17. He was named the starter against the Huskers after convincingly leading Tech to wins against Kansas State and New Mexico when Potts was recovering from a concussion.
Torres mainly was talking about Sheffield’s impact on offense, but linebacker Bront Bird admitted the quarterback’s contagious personality even spreads to the defense come game time.
Bird said there’s a “level of confidence” with Sheffield, and his ability to let loose, have fun and ignore pressure provides a comfort factor.
“Whenever he plays, he’s really just having a good time,” Bird said. “He’s out there smiling, everybody is chest bumping each other. Sometimes, especially the quarterback position, I don’t play that, but I could see how it could come into play. I think sometimes you worry about making mistakes and you worry about what could happen, should happen, when all it is, is a game.”
Although he acknowledged Sheffield does a “great job” of generating enthusiasm and that it’s an important role, Tech coach Mike Leach called his players’ comments “just an excuse.”
Leach said players need to “have their own damn enthusiasm” and those who don’t can “get off their ass” and fill in for Sheffield’s absence.
“We travel 70 people to this game that can generate their own enthusiasm,” said Leach, who referred to sideline hype men Trent Nickerson, Jacob Karam and Pearlie Graves. “The fact that they have been at this for years and years and years should be reason for enthusiasm enough. Any mopey-whininess, we will go roll around in some damn sand and see if that is enthusiastic.”
As for Sheffield’s replacement for Saturday’s game against Kansas, Leach said it’ll be a game-time decision once again, while Bird and Torres didn’t specifically endorse one or the other.
However, Leach discussed Potts’ lack of confidence and complimented Doege’s solid play.
Potts got off to a good start against the Aggies, hooking up with Torres on a 56-yard touchdown on the first drive of the game. After A&M forced a punt on Tech’s next drive, Potts threw his first interception of the day before throwing another touchdown before the second quarter began.
That was the last time Tech scored until the third quarter, when Doege replaced Potts, who left the game with two picks and a lost fumble.
“I think only he knows that,” Leach said of Potts’ confidence level. “We will have to figure that out, but confidence is a decision. A guy has to decide to be confident, and if you decide you are not then it’s fairly counter-productive. The easy way to be confident is to have success, yet there are people with success that aren’t confident, which is even more befuddling.”
Doege led Tech on two touchdown drives and at one point had Tech within 16 points of the Aggies.
Playing for the second time since leading a touchdown drive late against Kansas State, Doege had 146 yards on 18-of-25 passing against the Aggies.
Prior to this season, Doege hadn’t seen in-game action since his sophomore year of high school because of knee injuries in 2006 and 2007.
“I thought he played good,” Leach said. “I thought he made routine plays, and I thought he didn’t try to make too much happen. He has a good arm and he is a sharp guy. Just read the material in front of you and then don’t add to it and read between the lines. I thought he did a good job of that.”
Leach likes to play up the "I'm stoopid" role.I can't believe Sheffield won't be playing this weekend... if Potts starts again, count it as yet another loss for us. Seth looks good, but just hasn't had enough experience. We need SS!!!!