Shiel Wood emphasizes importance of execution versus WVU
Texas Tech is coming off a much needed bye week, their first since the week of September 27th. The Red Raiders are heading into Morgantown to close out the regular season this weekend against West Virginia. Tech will look to clinch a Big 12 championship spot in that game if they don’t clinch with an Arizona State loss (versus Arizona) Friday night. Shiel Wood spoke to the media Monday afternoon about this week’s matchup against the Mountaineers.
Tempo challenge
The Red Raiders will have to prep themselves throughout the week for a high-tempo challenge from the Mountaineers.
“I think they’re playing really hard, and I think they put a premium on that. So they want to run the football, they want to go fast and then do a nice job distributing the ball in the front group to multiple playmakers as well.”
Bye week
This is Tech’s first bye week since September 27th (almost 2 months ago) in which they have played 7 straight games since. This was a much needed one allowing some key pieces on both sides of the ball to rest.
“Well, I think like any bye week at any point in the season, you just try to use that as an opportunity, maybe to get fresh and recover a little bit for the players, physically and mentally. You use it as an opportunity go back and look at some of the things well, or some of the things well, or some things you need to prove on and then also just get ahead for next week’s opponent.”
Staff vibes
Texas Tech coaching staff is very experienced with this team, and all their techniques to reach their goals. Shiel Wood was asked if there were any unsung heroes on the staff team helping the team reach their goals.
“The whole, whole group. I wouldn’t single anybody out. I really like our staff. I really appreciate the work ethic that they have, the attention to detail, how we’ve grown through the off season and through the season. I think there’s been a ton of growth. And I think that the attitude of wanting to get in there together and work to solve problems and get on the same page as it’s been really fun to be a part of, and certainly our players are doing a great job. But we wouldn’t be where we’re at without our coaching staff and the great job they’ve done as well.”
Scotty Fox
West Virginia quarterback Scotty Fox will look to pull off one of the biggest upsets of the season against the Red Raiders on Saturday. Although he is a freshman*, he has shown to be a huge threat for the Mountaineers.
“I think as a young player, he’s doing a really nice job of operating their offense. In the last four games have kind of settled into what they want to be this year. I’ve got a lot of respect for what they’re doing. I think that they’re getting their their guys on offense to play really hard, and I think that as a football team offensively, they have improved throughout the season, and they’re playing their best football in the latter part of the year.”
“I think that’s what the best football teams do and I think it’s a credit to their coaches and to their players that they you know, you go through a season and you try to find your strengths, identify those and play those strengths, and also find out what your guys can, can do the best can do. Well, sometimes that’s apparent, maybe in the off season, early in the season. Sometimes it takes a little bit of time to figure some of those things out, where you adapt injuries or just a variety of different circumstances to come up during the year.”
“I think that a lot of credit goes to their coaches and their players. I think if you look at their last four ball games, you know, they’re 2-2, their offense has done a nice job, and the two losses are games they easily could have won. So, you know, maybe earlier in the year, they struggled a little bit at times, but I think they started to settle in and play that the level they want to. And I think quarterbacks a big part of that as well.”
Patrick Mahomes walkthrough room
One of the newest machines the team now has available to them is the Patrick Mahomes walkthrough room. This allows players to preview coverages and different formations prior to the game on Saturday to read and diagnose plays before they happen on the field.
“I think our whole coaching staff and players are probably battling over time on that thing constantly. Nah, not really, we do a pretty good job of sharing it. But I know that Coach Ah You up front with the outside backers, those guys use it quite a bit.”
“I know that Coach Greene and Coach McBath and the secondary Coach Martin. Those guys use it quite a bit. I’ve used it at times during the year, but those two groups defensively, as far as Coach Ah You’s group and the secondary are probably the ones that use it the best. And it’s just a great tool to be able to basically have class on grass, so to speak, and have the video playing, but also give a chance to move around and communicate or see your fit and kind of step through it. It’s a really great tool.”
Jacob Rodriguez
The Heisman candidate Jacob Rodriguez has been a big part of this defense, and will look to continue his efforts as the Red Raiders look to clinch a spot in Arlington. Shiel Wood gave a lot of praise to the linebacker and the defense as well.
“What I would say is that his execution level of the defense that is called, and being able to read, react and play at a high level, make plays on the ball and knock the ball out, all those things, just gives us confidence that we can game plan, we can prepare, and we can know that a guy like Jacob (Rodriguez) step out there and execute at a high level.”
“The best defenses, in my estimation, are the ones that play fast and the ones that play fast are the ones that have a lot of confidence in what they’re doing, they know how to do their job with fundamentals, and then they’re able to execute at a high level of speed. I think that’s what you’re seeing from Jacob, and that’s the reason why he’s having a lot of success.”
“He’s also having a lot of success because the other guys around him are doing the same thing. And I think that as a unit, we’re playing at a really high level right now, and guys are feeding off for one another, and it’s a lot of fun to be a part of a group like that.”
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