Texas Tech Football Notebook: Thomas, Welker, Saul, Morris and Coleman Return for Game

Outside the Huddle.

Again, I enjoy this. There’s some cool footage of some post-game celebration after the Arkansas game.

Out Here. This is the extended dance mix of the “Out Here” promo and it’s really good.

Notebook: More Legends Return. LAJ’s Don Williams writes that Texas Tech will host some additional legends for the game, including Zach Thomas, Tracy Saul, Wes Welker, Marcus Coleman and Bam Morris.

Again, if you ever want to know why all of these former players are returning it’s largely the effort of one great Red Raider, Rodney Allison, the director of the Double T Varsity Club. If you ever see him, you should thank him for all of the work he does.

Allison invited back all of Thomas’ old teammates and coaches for this weekend. Morris, the 1993 Doak Walker Award winner, and Coleman, who played in the same linebacker corps as Thomas, are part of that group. Thomas’ coach, Spike Dykes, also plans to return, Allison said.

Saul is scheduled for enshrinement in the Southwest Conference Hall of Fame at an Oct. 5 ceremony in Dallas. His presence is part of the Double T Varsity Club’s bringing back former Tech stars for each home game. Former basketball players Sheryl Swoopes and Darvin Ham have been guests at the first two home games, and former football standouts Andre Tillman, Joe Barnes and Dan Irons — all stars on big-winning Red Raiders teams of the 1970s — are scheduled for similar appearances at the final three home games.

Don also notes that TCU DT Davion Pierson should return return from a concussion and Tevin Madison was actually playing safety on the play where he intercepted that pass from Arkansas’ Brandon Allen.

Williams also has a scatter-shooting sort of article where he touches on all sorts of things, including Daniel Columbe in the big leagues with the A’s, asking that Arkansas and Texas Tech play again in 2018 and more, so check it out.

Doctson and Grant to Have Big Impact. LAJ’s Krista Pirtle writes that IR Jakeem Grant and WR Josh Doctson should have a big impact on the game on Saturday:

Doctson finished with five receptions for 171 yards and two touchdowns in the win over the Mustangs.

His numbers don’t surprise coach Gary Patterson.

“Josh has been doing that the last few years,” Patterson said. “He took some hits. I said at the beginning of the year that the offense would probably have to carry us.”

As Doctson plays an instrumental role in TCU’s run for a repeat Big 12 title this year, Grant is doing whatever is asked of him as the Red Raiders aim to prove themselves this season.

So far, Grant has accumulated 21 catches for 287 yards and a touchdown.

Sports On Earth on TCU vs. Texas Tech. Sports On Earth’s Matt Brown picks this week’s games, including TCU vs. Texas Tech:

Here comes Part II of Kliff Kingsbury’s revenge tour. Last week, the Red Raiders atoned for their dreadful 2014 loss to Arkansas. This week, back at home, they get to try to slow down the Horned Frogs after allowing 82 points to them last year. TCU is loaded with experience on offense, and while Texas Tech has a new defensive coordinator in David Gibbs, it is still 105th in yards per play allowed. TCU will undoubtedly keep scoring on Texas Tech. The difference is the other side of the ball. Red Raiders quarterback Patrick Mahomes has been impressive thus far, and TCU’s defense is falling apart. In addition to replacing six starters from last year’s unit, TCU has been ravaged by injuries, creating a potentially dire situation. It’s hard to get last year’s 82-27 beatdown out of one’s head, but TCU’s depth problems on defense present a great opportunity for Texas Tech to pull off another revenge win.

I’ll let you click on over for Brown’s actual pick. Also, Sports’ On Earth’s David Ubben writes about the string of injuries that TCU has suffered on defense:

Beyond Tuaua, Texada, Iloka, Freeze and McFarland, Patterson has also been without linebacker Sammy Douglas (knee), defensive end Terrell Lathan (shoulder) and defensive tackle Davion Pierson, who suffered a concussion and hasn’t played yet this year, though he might return against Texas Tech.

“We lost three linebackers from last year,” Patterson said. “Now you lost one and two this year. So, you’re on linebackers six and seven. You don’t look at it that way, but from the knowledge standpoint, it’s sixth and seventh.”

Morales Brothers Together at Last. FWST’s Brent Shirley profiles the Morales brothers, Tony and Alfredo, who have finally hit the field together:

“Watching [Alfredo] work hard to get into the starting lineup made me work hard to get back on the field,” said Tony, who has another year of eligibility and plans to become an offensive line coach in the future. “We do everything together. We even share a car. So having someone so close helped me through everything.”

So far this season, Texas Tech is averaging 399 passing yards, 191.3 rushing yards, and 54.3 points a game. The Red Raiders are already a victory away from equaling last season’s win total and halfway to becoming bowl eligible.

“Being able to run the ball helps open up the passing game too,” said Alfredo, who hopes to get a chance to play in the NFL. “When you have to respect our rushing game, that allows some of our receivers to get one-on-one matchups.”

Miscellaneous. Land Grant Gauntlet’s Matt Turney previews Texas Tech and TCU . . . Scout’s Ahmard Vital has some video of Texas Tech commit Jordyn Brooks and he is a tackling machine . . . Football Study Hall’s Bill Connelly who is picking games at a 53% clip, projects TCU to win by the spread and more . . . ESPN’s Big 12 Blog Bros pick this week’s games and Brandon Chatmon, you’re our only hope . . . if you like to get a quick podcast on, FOX Sports’ Bruce Feldman and Stewart Mandel discuss the game . . . DMN’s Michael DuPont has his TCU/Texas Tech prediction . . . ESPN’s Max Olson writes about how Texas Tech is cleaning up their game, including penalties and turnovers . . .

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