Two days have passed and Texas Tech still can't believe Colorado won the coin toss in Saturday's Red Raider-Buffalo game and stunningly decided to take the ball.
That ill-fated decision cost the Buffaloes dearly. Not only did it put the wind at the Raiders' back in the decisive fourth quarter, but it played a key role in the three field goals that were attempted in the final period.
While Colorado kicker Aric Goodman missed a 35-yard field goal into a stiff and swirling wind in the fourth quarter, Tech kicker Matt Williams took advantage of the wind to his back by kicking fourth-quarter field goals of 40 and 36 yards. The latter kicker came with 2:08 left and won the game for Tech, 27-24.
"I was shocked, too, I really was,'' said Tech offensive coordinator Neal Brown, when asked about Buffs coach Dan Hawkins' decision to take the ball after winning the coin toss. "I think their thinking was if they could get up in the game, then they could kind of control it.
"I think they probably wanted to get that homecoming crowd into it a little bit. But that definitely worked to our favor.''
The fact that Tech has been struggling in the first period is reason along to just give the Raiders the ball to start the game.
In the first quarter against Colorado, the Raiders had two just first downs and only 20 total yards on 12 plays. In the previous game against Oklahoma State, Tech had just two first downs and only 38 yards on 20 plays in the first period.
In other words, if you win the opening coin toss take your chance and give the ball to Tech. Besides, shouldn't you be taking the wind in the fourth quarter anyway?
-- Dwain Price
"The fact that Tech has been struggling in the first period is reaosn along to just give the Raiders the ball to start the game."
Spellcheck... jeez!
Posted by: Rotten Arsenal | October 26, 2010 at 07:38 AM
Dwain, CU taking the ball in 1st Qtr had nothing to do with Tech getting the wind in 4th QTR. Tech had the choice in 2nd half and took the ball, thus CU picked sides. They chose to have wind in 3rd QTR. I was there, the wind shifted some anyways.
Posted by: greg | October 26, 2010 at 01:19 PM
How about editing your article before posting it?
Posted by: Ty | October 26, 2010 at 07:18 PM