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HOUSTON — The Texas Tech football team is grateful to welcome cornerback Rayshad Williams and linebacker Tyric Matthews next season. Both have opted to use their Covid bonus year for another round with the Red Raiders in 2023.
The more pressing question at the moment: How are they progressing to being able to play in the Texas Bowl?
When the Red Raiders held their first onsite practice on Saturday, Williams and Matthews were running flanks in shorts rather than pads during their time open to the media.Technology coach Joey McGuire said: Matthews suffered a “pretty bad” calf strain early in bowl practice at Lubbock, and Williams said he suffered a groin strain last week.
He said he expects both to play when Tech (7-5) faces Mississippi (8-4) at NRG Stadium on Wednesday at 8pm.
McGuire said Matthews is in the “late stages” of his recovery, so he’s “happy about it.”
“We were really cautious[against Williams]just because there weren’t many corners,” McGuire said. “He’s played so many snaps that he knows defense. It’s about making sure he plays 100 percent during games.”
Williams has started every game this season. Matthews backs up fieldside linebacker Christon Merriweather.
If it’s unavailable or should be restricted, it undermines the way Tech plays. One of his four corners that the Red Raiders regularly used during his season, Kobe Minor walked away from the team with his name entered on his NCAA transfer portal. Matthews regularly rotates Merriweather to keep her from working too hard.
Tight end Mason Tharp is out of the game, although he is with the team. Tharpe did not play in the final two games of the regular season after an injury McGuire refused to disclose.
Hallaby left the line of battle again
Among Tech signatories in the 2021 hiring class, Landon Hullaby of Safety is the first-year winner with the worst luck. Hallaby joined the team in January last year and suffered a hip problem midway through spring practice that led to surgery. He recently underwent surgery again to repair his shoulder injury and will miss spring practice.
McGuire said Hallaby suffered an injury during practice during the week of the regular season finale against Oklahoma.
The Mansfield Timberview first grader wears a immobilization brace on his right shoulder.
“It’s tough on Landon,” McGuire said. It’s a deal you want to move on and finish as soon as possible. ”
Hullaby has received nearly 30 scholarship offers and was listed among the top 80 recruits in Texas by Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN.
Welcome to H Town
Tech trains every day at Rice through Tuesday, while Ole Miss trains at the University of Houston.
The Red Raiders’ team charter arrived in Houston around lunchtime on Saturday. McGuire estimates that from about 35 he had 40 players on the plane. Tech He used travel vouchers provided by Athletic to help more people make it to Houston on their own. They had been given a few days to go home after their last practice in Lubbock.
An Arctic cold front is wreaking havoc across the country, extending to the Gulf Coast and bringing uncharacteristically cold temperatures to Houston. Red He said it was 41 degrees when the Raiders got off the bus at Rice, despite training indoors.
“It’s new to me,” said cornerback Adrian Frye, who grew up in Houston. “I’ve never been to Houston that’s consistently cold. It’s usually cold at night and when the sun goes down, but most of the time it’s pretty warm when the sun comes up.”
Highs in Houston were 34 degrees on Friday and 43 degrees on Saturday. The National Weather Service’s forecast is for 47 degrees on Sunday.
bowl before bowl
One Texas Bowl tradition is the Rodeo Bowl. This is a rodeo-themed event where he casually pits two teams against each other. Think about it: calf grazing. Stack the hay bales. Race in costume like a horse. It’s not a hot iron, but it does “brand” your calves.
The Rodeo Bowl, usually a series of seven events, is scheduled to take place Monday at 5:30 p.m. at the NRG Arena. Dinner will be served for participants.
“I’m throwing hay bales,” said Tech’s 320-pound center Dennis Wilburn. “He asked me if I wanted to do it. I said, ‘Let’s do it.’ So I’m throwing hay bales. ”
Kicker Trey Wolff said it is part of the Tech lineup in veal “branding”.
“I think our guy kind of texted around people he thought might be interested,” Wolfe said. So we figured it out that way. ”
uniform talk
For Wednesday’s game, Tech will wear a black helmet, scarlet jersey and scarlet pants. McGuire said he wore the same combination when they defeated Texas in overtime this season. It was a popular style during the Mike Leach era.
“I call it the Danny Amendola Special,” McGuire said, referring to the former Red Raiders receiver.
During practice only, the Red Raiders wear white helmets with a special logo. A double T. McGuire is superimposed on the white Houston skyline against the scarlet background of Texas. Originally from Houston.
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