Day Four: Red Raiders in Jacksonville
December 29, 2007 | Football
Dec. 29, 2007
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - On-field preparations are coming to a close with one practice remaining on the schedule before Tuesday's game against Virginia in the Konica Minolta Gator Bowl in Jacksonville. The Red Raiders completed their final lengthy workout Saturday and will hold an abbreviated practice Sunday at the University of North Florida.
The squad spent the session putting the final touches on the game plan. As it has all week, practice opened with a special teams period, followed by position drills and seven-on-seven. The team period closed practice with both offensive and defensive units working against the scout teams.
Former Dallas Cowboy great Bill Bates attended practice today and spent time visiting with Texas Tech coaches and staff before and after the workout. Bates is currently a volunteer coach on the Nease High School football staff in Jacksonville where his sons attend high school.
Prior to Saturday's practice, members of the team visited a local children's hospital, taking pictures and signing autographs for the patients. The group was joined by members of the University of Virginia Cavalier football squad.
Texas Tech's next event is the annual kickoff luncheon scheduled for New Year's Eve, which will be preceded by a bowl-scheduled press conference. Red Raiders Head Coach Mike Leach and student-athletes Graham Harrell, Brian Duncan and Chris Parker will represent the team at the conference.
Texas Tech will appear in the 31st bowl game in program history next week and ranks among the top 20 programs all-time in bowl appearances. This year's visit to Jacksonville is the fourth for Texas Tech, which also participated in the Gator Bowl in 1954, 1965 and 1973, with wins in 1954 and 1973.
The Red Raiders and Cavaliers kickoff at 1 p.m. on CBS from Jacksonville Municipal Stadium on New Year's Day.
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Each day this week a Texas Tech player or staff member will share his thoughts on the Gator Bowl, game preparations and activities. Former Red Raider center and first-year offensive graduate assistant Brandon Jones visited with us today and shared his thoughts:
Thoughts on difference between being a player and a coach: "I'd have to say you do have a lot more liberty to do some of the things you wouldn't necessarily get to do as a player. I haven't done much but just hang out with my wife and enjoy the city of Jacksonville. I've had a good time so far."
Thoughts on which is easier, being focused as a player or getting players focused: "I've always been a firm believer on the fact of being focused. I think more so now than ever I'm a firm believer in it, simply because I know how much preparation and how important preparation is to winning all of these games. As a player, you have to find the in-between; you want to enjoy the city, but at the same time you want to be ready to play the game, because you ultimately come here wanting to win."
Thoughts on best bowl memory: "I would definitely say last year, just battling back as a group. There were a lot of seniors on that team and a lot of guys I had grown up with, so I think that was my most enjoyable moment thus far."
Thoughts on advice for young guys: "My advice to them has been the same throughout the year: You can have fun throughout the week. It's a little different now being off and having so much liberty and free time, but ultimately you're here to win. They have the right mindset and they are preparing themselves to win the ball game."
