Stephen Garcia Column: Texas Tech overtime victory takes place among classic Texas football clashes
No Texas Tech football fan need be reminded what happened Nov. 1, 2008.
The date's mere utterance and Red Raiders supporters can see Michael Crabtree breaking a tackle for the winning score in a victory over then-No. 1 Texas — one of the most iconic moments in program history.
Saturday, this Tech group made its case to be remembered in the same vein.
Head coach Joey McGuire, the third Red Raiders coach to beat Texas in his first matchup, was in the midst of his successful run at Cedar Hill High School when Crabtree added to his legendary career. He knows what that game means to the Tech faithful, and he isn't ready to put the 37-34 overtime thriller in the same breath.
Even if it was the first win over the hated 'Horns in Lubbock since that memorable pitch and catch.
"It’s tough to ever compare any game to that until we win the Big 12 and play in the playoffs,” McGuire said. ”That game was iconic just for so many reasons. But I will tell you I think that a lot of people, 60,000 people, will remember where they were Sept. 24 and they will remember how hard the Red Raiders fought to get the win. I think it definitely is something to build off of.
"Once again, beating an in-state rival, and beating a ranked team at home — that’s a big deal."
A big deal, indeed. And it could be the last time Texas makes the trip to Jones AT&T Stadium in quite some time, only adding to the sweet taste savored by the sea of red that enveloped the field moments after Trey Wolff's 20-yard game-winning field goal.
"I closed my eyes, and in about five seconds I was getting slapped and punched by everybody. It was awesome," Wolff said of the experience. "Everybody poured out of the stands. Everybody here in Lubbock cares a lot about what we're doing, and you can tell. From the tents that were put out by the student gate (Friday night) and how they react after the game, this is very important to them, and we love that."
Wolff's boot, which followed a go-ahead kick with 21 seconds left in regulation, would be the easiest choice for this iteration's "Crabtree play." But a pair of Red Raiders had hands — quite literally — in setting up the heroics.
Krishon Merriweather punched away the ball from Texas' Bijan Robinson on the first play of overtime, and Reggie Pearson pounced on the loose ball. It was the first fumble for the star running back this season.
Pearson didn't want to let the rare opportunity go to waste, winning possession despite a UT "300-pounder" next to him.
So, Tech fans, don't forget those defenders' names when telling your kids of that hot September afternoon with a Jones crowd of 60,975 watching along.
"Defense did a phenomenal job. That's like big-time what we needed," Texas Tech quarterback Donovan Smith said. "… It was a great stop, and I just knew we had to finish as a team. We had a long game. We all fought hard. I feel like that was a win we definitely deserved."
Deserved? Yes. Big deal? Yes.
Last time the Longhorns will be at the Jones for the foreseeable future? Time will tell. If it is, Red Raiders fans have a fond memory to hold onto.
McGuire would certainly like to see the series continue, even after Texas joins the Southeastern Conference.
"There's a reason (the Longhorns) don't want to," McGuire said, "and it happened today."
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Texas Tech OT victory takes place among classic Texas football clashes
