Kenny Perry talks West Virginia matchup, kicking development
As the season has gone on, Texas Tech’s special teams have continued to improve, especially in limiting penalties and blocking punts. Special teams coordinator Kenny Perry has continued the same approach and mindset each week: stay aggressive, focus on them, and go “1-0.”
Despite some cold weather predicted in Morgantown, Perry’s aggressive approach remains the same, and he will still emphasize to his guys that they play as hard as they can. With a Big 12 Championship appearance on the line this week, Perry knows how important this game is, but everyone is focused on handling business.
“I’ve been the same since day one. I just tell our guys, go out there and play as hard as you can. You know, when we turn the film on, we want to make sure that we played harder than the other team…I think we’ve done that all year. I think we’ve played as hard as we can and we’re going to try and do that again this week,” Perry told the media on Tuesday. “Like, I told our guys, it was like, well, this is a big game and this is a big game. What game hasn’t been big for us? You know, in this day in college football, you lose two games. You’re pretty much out, you know, so every game has been big… we’ve played great teams all year, so this team ain’t gonna be no different. We’re out there and play like, just like we played the first of the year.”
Development of Stone Harrington
Stone Harrington has been one of the biggest surprises for the Red Raiders this year, especially after Upton Bellenfant was brought in for Buffalo, and it was thought that he would be the primary kicker. However, after an offseason of growth, both mentally and physically, Harrington came out and proved that he wanted the spot. Even though he made that clear this past year, Perry didn’t think the first two years of Harrington’s career would have what it takes to make it.
“I mean, I tried to run Stone off. I think I told you guys that. He hung in there, in spite of my coaching his first two years, but he struggled… I think every kicker in the country needs to call Stone and figure out what he did because between his second and third year, he definitely made a change,” Perry said. “Last spring, he totally dialed into wanting to be the kicker here. And you know, he won the job…I’m so proud of that kid, because he definitely, he got it from me daily but, man, I’m so proud of him, and to be in the talk with Lou Groza award, that’s awesome because he’s helped us win some games. He’s turned into a big time weapon.”
What Perry sees from West Virginia
West Virginia is also coming off a bye week, but only lost to Arizona State by two points the week prior. They are playing some of their best football right now, so the Red Raiders will have to be the tougher team and beat them on special teams.
They’re pretty sound, #1. They do a good job. They’re well coached.They get the ball off pretty fast, and they actually cover really well,” Perry said. “We’re going to be aggressive somehow, some way. Just don’t know where that’s going to be at, but, you know, I’m going to come after, you know, a kick here or there…so we gotta come up with some answers for their guys.”
Join the conversation with other Red Raiders on the Inside The Double T forum.
Subscribe today to get the most in-depth Texas Tech sports and recruiting coverage.
Follow us on X: @RedRaiderSports
Like and follow us on Instagram @rrs_rivals & like us on Facebook.
