Texas Tech suffered its first loss of the Joey McGuire era on Saturday. 12 North Carolina will host No. 22 Texas at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at the Big 12 Opener.
Here are 10 topics from McGuire’s weekly Monday press conference and around it.
Tyler Schoff Timeframe
McGuire said the earliest possible return of the Red Raiders’ first starting quarterback would be Oct. 8 against Oklahoma State or Oct. 22 against West Virginia. Tech has a publication date in between. Schoff recently underwent surgery to insert a plate into his injured left shoulder due to what McGuire had previously described as an injury to his clavicle/AC joint.
“When he comes back, we’re going to restart (the competition),” McGuire said. “He was our first quarterback….Tyler will be the first to tell you that he’s not going to get it right when he’s released, but he came out and He has to show he’s ready to go.In the best position to win games, he’s going to be our starting quarterback.”
more:McGuire used analytics in decision making at North Carolina State University
Schoff was injured in the first quarter against Murray State on Sept. 3. McGuire said Schoff is “extremely committed” to team activities.
“He actually hit me this morning (Sunday),” McGuire said. But he had already seen the movie the night before and experienced it.”
Bryce Ramirez Update
The Red Raiders defensive end, who suffered a severe left lower leg injury in Saturday’s game, is expected to be able to return to Lubbock on Wednesday or Thursday. He was then taken to Wake Medical Center.
Ramirez underwent surgery early Sunday morning. He posted on Twitter on Monday that he had “a successful second surgery” and was “on the road to recovery.”
“Thank you again for all the love and support from Raider Nation,” he said. “I would also like to thank Wolf Pack Nation for treating me like one of their own. The support has been incredible! Love you all.”
McGuire said technical assistant athletic trainer Steven Rapso had been with Ramirez at Raleigh Hospital since Saturday night.
Tony Bradford’s Elite Club
The Tech defensive tackle was one of 22 college football players and one coach named to the Allstate and American Football Coaches Association Good Works teams. Kentucky’s Mark Stoops, his coach, 11 of his FBS players, and his 11 players in smaller programs were named for “outstanding contributions to the community.”
“The commission will seek players who demonstrate exceptional leadership on and off the football field,” said the AFCA statement.
more:Big 12 Conference Names Texas Tech Football QB Donovan Smith Offensive Player of the Week
Bradford’s career goals also included becoming a police chief. Tech says that over the past two years he has led a team that has done more than 2,000 hours of his service to the community.
“I guess it’s fair to say I’m proud of Tony,” McGuire said. “Tony is not only a great teammate, but a great leader who can inspire others towards a common mission. Texas Tech and West Texas are better, thanks to your tireless work. Come on.”
he is here for
At a press conference Monday, Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said tech-turned-UT basketball coach Chris Beard reached out to him about what to expect at Lubbock.
“I’m looking forward to a great environment,” Sarkisian said. “…we embrace the hate and are ready to go on Saturday.”
McGuire saw this report on social media and enjoyed it.
“I had an old friend who used to coach here and gave Steve some advice,” McGuire said. “I know there was probably a little more animosity for various reasons, but it’s fun to watch. I don’t know if everyone is into that, but I am. I love it. It excites me before and after.”
Another plea for crowd action
Last week, Maguire asked tech fans not to throw drink containers on the field at Jones AT&T Stadium. This happened twice after Tech’s touchdown on September 10 against Houston, and Tech’s coach was warned with a 15-yard penalty if it happened again.
Putting UT’s game on deck, McGuire made the same request.
“I hope they don’t throw beer and drink it,” McGuire said. “If they’re throwing it, I hope they’re just throwing the liquid, not throwing it onto the field, as a celebration.”
Last week, Tech Senior Associate Athletic Director Robert Giovannetti rejected suggestions that hostile fans would be held accountable in such cases.
“It came out of the student department and was a Texas Tech fan,” McGuire said. “I know we like to divert sometimes, but that’s what happened and that’s not what we’re going for….but we’re definitely going to give them a reason to celebrate.
Kickoff ready stance
Over three games, the Red Raiders’ average starting field position after kickoff is Tech 25-yard line. In the season opener, Xavier White returned the kickoff to his 39-yard line and the Tech 37 at Murray State.
Against Houston, however, the Red Raiders took the kickoff back once and started on 10 after an illegal block penalty. And after kickoff they returned to North Carolina State for the Red Raiders.
more:Don Williams Column: Red Raiders’ Humble Night in Raleigh
But McGuire isn’t going to give up on a potential big play. In the movies, we’ve seen him one block away from the Red Raiders making big returns.
“If it’s not in the end zone, we want to bring it out,” he said. “We want to be very aggressive. We have good returners.”
Thoughts on “Horns Down”
Officials may interpret the use of UT hand gestures within the field of play as a taunt. So while it’s downplayed, McGuire doesn’t want his players to be flagged.
“It’s really, really funny that it’s a rule,” he said.
Donor certification
Tech will publicly acknowledge on Tuesday an anonymous donor who pledged $10 million to the Red Raiders’ $200 million football facility project. announced that it had received a pledge of $75 million.
This amount includes $25 million and $20 million pledges from Tech Regents Cody Campbell and Dusty Womble, as well as two $10 million pledges and one $5 million pledge. Tuesday’s announcement is one of the $10 million pledges, with the same donor pledging another sport.
Injury report summary
Starting offensive guard Weston Wright missed Saturday’s game with a sprained ankle, but returned to training on Sunday and is expected to play this week. Linebacker Dimitri Moore has questions about the hamstring injury he picked up on Saturday. Cornerback Adrian Frye (quadriceps contusion/knee), running back Camron Valdez (knee) and linebacker Derrick Lewis (hamstring/knee) have been sidelined but are expected to return. McGuire said.
Start times for Tech’s October 1 game in Kansas
The Red Raiders and Wildcats won the 11am slot on ESPN+.