My Blog

On being No.1 and playing Valdosta State

coacht — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 23:31:38 +0000

For the first time in my life as a head coach I am part of a number one ranked team. It is a great feeling and an honor and I am so proud of our coaches and players for the hard work they have done to make this happen. I realize that nothing is guaranteed at this point in the season but I would be lying if I said it didn’t make me feel awful good.

Unfortunately, they vote on these things every seven days so it won’t last if we don’t beat Valdosta State. And, that will be a very tough assignment. This VSU team is led by an extraordinary athlete at QB named Kellen Lewis. He is a transfer from Indiana and can run and throw the ball as well as anyone I have seen in a long while. We must find a way to contain him or he will run and throw all over us. How we handle him will be the key to this game.

The Delta State game is finally here

coacht — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:31:34 +0000

This is the game I have heard about since I got this job and now it is here. It was great to listen to the oldtimers indoctrinate all our (us) newcomers into just how important this game is. Delta State has won the conference crown the last two years and we want it this year. But, it has to be earned and it must start tomorrow night. We may be 7-0 but we haven’t done nothing yet because we haven’t played DSU. We are ready to play!

Homecoming!

coacht — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 13:59:35 +0000

I’ve been up since 6:00a watching video of this Arkansas Tech offense. It’s clear that third down is going to be the key today to stopping this team. They are making 64% of their third down conversions. If we don’t change that they will never punt. Part of the probem is putting presssure on the QB. He was sacked in his first three games and then not until the second half of the fourth game last week when the game was well in hand.

If we can win the TOP with our offense that will help as well. Bottom line…go out and play our hest football and let the best team win.

Homecoming will soon be here

coacht — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 23:44:09 +0000

We had a good practice tonight and the guys are really getting ready for this game. Arkansas Tech gave us a real scare last year and they look even better this year.

TEAM RANKINGS
148 teams ranked in Division II
11 teams ranked in the Gulf South Conference

Category	National Rank	Actual	National Leader	Actual	Conf Rank	Gulf South Conference Leader	Actual
Rushing Offense	61	157.75	Brevard	322.00	4	Henderson St.	214.20
Passing Offense	4	354.75	Eastern N.M.	535.40	1	Arkansas Tech	354.75
Total Offense	4	512.50	Eastern N.M.	595.60	1	Arkansas Tech	512.50
Scoring Offense	6	43.25	Washburn	46.60	1	Arkansas Tech	43.25
Rushing Defense	89	151.00	Abilene Christian	25.60	6	Ouachita Baptist	71.75
Pass Efficiency Defense	29	106.16	Midwestern St.	64.80	3	North Ala.	73.42
Total Defense	93	370.00	Catawba	198.25	4	North Ala.	263.80
Scoring Defense	66	22.75	Midwestern St.	7.20	5	North Ala.	11.20
Net Punting	103	30.09	Northeastern St.	38.49	11	North Ala.	35.61
Punt Returns	41	12.15	Fort Hays St.	34.50	3	West Ga.	16.71
Kickoff Returns	8	26.69	Wayne St. (MI)	31.00	1	Arkansas Tech	26.69
Turnover Margin	46	.50	Shaw	3.40	5	Ouachita Baptist	2.00
Pass Defense	88	219.00	Catawba	104.25	3	North Ala.	115.60
Passing Efficiency	16	160.30	Charleston (WV)	214.53	2	Ouachita Baptist	169.79
Sacks	T-106	1.25	Northwest Mo. St.	4.80	7	Ouachita Baptist	3.50
Tackles For Loss	38	7.75	Catawba	12.25	3	Southern Ark.	9.75
Sacks Allowed	3	.25	Ouachita Baptist	.00	2	Ouachita Baptist	.00
T=tied at this ranking Those are good offensive stats.

CoachT – Tuesday before Homecoming

coacht — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 20:08:59 +0000

Wow – I can”t believe how good this Arkansas Tech team is playing. Where are the good old days when you played a cupcake at Homecoming? The way these guys are putting up points on offense this is clearly the toughest opponent we’ve faced yet. They have the 4th best offense in the country averaging 512 yards and 43.5 points per game.

We must have a great week of practice to be ready. We had no injuries from last Saturday and Wes Holland and Thor Merrow are expectedd to be back.

I hope all you alumni out there can make itn back for homecoming.

CoachT

coacht — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 11:24:54 +0000

It is 6:00 AM and I am looking over my game plan for the Harding game tonight. The weather looks like it is going to be good for so if anyone is contemplating driving to the game come on out.

W are pretty healthy except for all-purpose athlete Wes Holland who had to stay at home with a staff infection. He is hard to replace because he plays both running back positions and every special team. Several athletes will have to step up to take his place. Thor Merrow is still out as well with a high ankle sprain but that has been an on-going thing.

Harding is 2-2 but are undefeated at home and they have an overall winning record against UNA 5-4.

We must come out ready to play. their defense has given up some points and yardage this year (486ypg/34ppg) so our offense must assert itself early and put together some long drives that end in touchdowns not field goals. They have shown the ability to have time consuming offensive drives with their spread passing attack and we need to keep our defense off the field as much as possible. They have given up 17 sacks so we need to exploint that as well.

Overall, I have challenged our players to give us a complete ballgame tonight – offense, defense, and special teams - and become that team we are capable of becoming.

WWCD – Only we can determine where we want to go and how we are going to get there!

Coach T.

Heading out to Henderson

coacht — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 16:26:26 +0000

I’m getting ready to get on the bus and head out to Arkadelphia. I am really concerned about this Henderson State team because they made so much improvement from their first game and played so well against McNeese State last week. I don’t even know which quarterback they will start but both of them have shown that they can beat you. Also, we may be playing the game in the rain so I have more than enough things to worry about. All that being said, if I knew we wouldn’t turn the ball over or give up the big play, I’d fee pretty good about the game. (PS – Only one starter is out due to injury)

24 Hours Until C-N

coacht — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 20:58:23 +0000

We’ve done all we can and it’s time to play the game. We know we are in for a real battle because there is no way C-N wants to start the season out 0-2. That hasn’t happened since 1983. Our defense needs to win the first downs to put their offense in obvious passing situations. Offensively, we must not turn he ball over – we fumbled 7 times last week losing 2. I donLt believe this one will be a blow-out either way so get ready to make some noise in teh fourth quarter. Captains are going to be Andrews on defense, Mico on offense and McClain on special teams. CoachT

Hey! It’s my first time blogging.

coacht — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 18:59:33 +0000

We’re getting ready for our big Tuesday practice this afternoon. I’ll let you know how it went this evening and then we’ll talk again every day or so.

Roar Lions!

CoachT

Hello world!

coacht — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 02:32:18 +0000

Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start blogging!