Texas Tech isn’t a pushover

Prior to the 1965 football season, Kansas traded TCU for Texas Tech on its schedule. Many local fans exuded a huge sigh of relief, thinking KU had found a softer touch to take the place of a dominator. Not even close.

The KU-TCU series began in 1942. From then through ’64, the Horned Frogs built a 15-4-3 lead. The game traditionally opened the season for both teams, and you could almost hear a gleeful Horned Frog ribbiting: “Send more Jayhawks ... they’re delicious!” There was no cha-ching at the box office; time to change.

People around here didn’t know much, if anything, about Texas Tech and figured it was KU’s turn to try another Southwest Conference opponent as a punching bag. Sure, a Techster named E.J. Holub earned All-America honors as a center and linebacker in ’59 and ’60, then became a Kansas City Chief pro legend. But that was just one guy, the KU Nation reasoned.

Yet when Kansas went to Lubbock to open the series in ’65, the Red Raiders had another All-American in harness — halfback Donny Anderson, another eventual all-pro dandy. Tech got things rolling with a 26-7 romp, and Kansas went 0-7 before it scored its first victory, a 34-31 overtimer in 2001 at Lubbock. As the Jayhawks strive to end a two-game losing streak this Saturday, the series mark stands at 1-10.

But no cries to “bring back the Horned Frogs,” please. Unbeaten TCU under Gary Patterson has developed a poisonous venom that would turn KU inside out.

Texas Tech has had numerous football stars, even if scads of fans never heard of them. Receiver Michael Crabtree recently developed a high profile, of course. But Techsters contend they never have had anyone better than Emil Joe Holub and halfback-punter Anderson.

At 6-3, 250, Holub started two Super Bowls as a linebacker and center. Even after nine surgeries he made a huge impact for the K.C. Chiefs. He would spend hours in the training room, watching blood and other fluid drain from a knee, then take the field and perform like a non-injured rookie. He gave way to Jack Rudnay after 1970 but remains a T-Tech legend.

The 6-3, 210 Anderson was taken No. 1 by Green Bay in 1965 in a draft that included Gale Sayers, Dick Butkus, Joe Namath and Fred Biletnikoff. He played six seasons for the then-powerful Packers and three for the then-St. Louis Cardinals. With the Packers, Donny originated the concept of hang-time in punting. He kicked higher and shorter but created more time for coverage. One season, opponents were able to return only 13 of his 63 punts for a total of 22 yards. He’s in the Green Bay Hall of Fame.

But stars, schmars! KU has to worry about the 2009 Raiders so it won’t stumble home singing: “Happiness is Lubbock, Texas, in a rear-view mirror.”

Earlier this year, I wrote that this KU team could be hindered by delusions of adequacy. That’s not a bad mind-set to pursue for a five-game stretch in which Kansas could lose at least three more games. Adequacy would amount to at least three more wins ... Kansas State, Nebraska and Missouri. An upset of Texas Tech could give the team a 9-3 record that would produce something far better than a nondescript postseason dalliance.

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njjayhawk (anonymous) says…

Next two weeks determine KU's season: TT and KSU. It's pretty much that simple. The Tech game should be a shoot-out. And the KSU game? Well, if the Wildcat administration can pull off the KU-KSU game half time show they have planned of honoring Bob Krause and Ron Prince, showcasing a demented mule doing a Michael Jackson moon walk, and racing 1950 vintage tractors pulling loaded manure spreaders up and down the football field, then the game itself could be the bookends to a glorious college football day.
October 30, 2009 at 5:14 a.m.
Brock (anonymous) says…

I assume that Mangino had the Jayhawks watch video of last years' defense getting ripped apart by the Red Raiders. Kinda like watching The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
October 30, 2009 at 6:20 a.m.
OakvilleJHawk (anonymous) says…

"Texas Tech isn't a pushover"....this headline makes it appear that this will be a Kansas cakewalk as long as the Jayhawks are careful and focused.

With all due respect Mr. Mayer, after the last three weeks performances, how can anybody think that KU is NOT the underdog!!?? It will be no surprise if KU loses this game even if we rack up 500 yards of total offense and score 42 points.

My suggestion is to line up the DBacks face up with the receivers and bump and run while blitzing the QB. Forcing hurried throws and destroying pattern timing is the only sure way to stop the spread offense.
October 30, 2009 at 9:08 a.m.
gogoplata (anonymous) says…

I already knew that TT is no pushover. What I am hoping for is that the Hawks are not going to be a pushover. They are better than us and I am hoping we play 100 times better than we have the last 3 weeks.

Mangino should watch Rocky 3. The hawks are playing like Rocky was training before the speech from Adrian.
October 30, 2009 at 9:28 a.m.
jayhawkboogeyman (anonymous) says…

Someone at TTU should be writing an article that KU is no push over so their fans can comment how insane TTU's nostalgia writer is for thinking KU has a chance.

If we lose by less than 14 I will be surprised. I am hoping for the win, obviously, but I really think there is almost no hope.
October 30, 2009 at 9:32 a.m.
lighthawk (anonymous) says…

it's turnovers & takeaways:
October 30, 2009 at 9:39 a.m.
hawkinator (anonymous) says…

"pushover"??.. arent the hawks the pushover here? do we have any reason to think they will win asides from being "hungry" after the recent losses? the series is 1-12 for the hawks....
October 30, 2009 at 10:27 a.m.
NebraskaJayhawk (anonymous) says…

Run the dang ball.
October 30, 2009 at 10:35 a.m.
grandpa (anonymous) says…

grandpa says: A car load of us Texas KU fans are going to the TT game tomorrow. I
have been a mild critic of Reesing in the past but I think he is going to get his act
together tomorrow If he don't, we are going to lose the game. TT fans are full of spirit.
Several years ago,TT beat Texas A & M in Lubbock. Tech fans climbed into the stands after the game and beat H-----out of some Aggie fans. Think positive!! They have a good, clean jail in Lubbock. We are going to win this game and we are going to win the North.Even if we lose to TT and Texas, we can still win the North and come
back to Texas and play the Longhorns. Beat Tech tomorrow!!!!! grandpa
October 30, 2009 at 11:14 a.m.
Phoggin_Loud (anonymous) says…

KU must win on Saturday!!
October 30, 2009 at 11:20 a.m.
kvskubball (anonymous) says…

Mayer is recycling...maybe he forgot...he had a very similar title and story last year!
October 30, 2009 at 2:11 p.m.
Eurekahwk (anonymous) says…

We HAVE to jam the WRs at the line every play. No more of this soft zone bullsh!t. Tech is built to eat you alive with its screen pass game. If we are content to give them 4 yards a throw, they will take it. We can't let Doege have success early and get confident. And Todd Reesing, quit giving them the goddam ball. I'd like to see us give ourselves a chance to win this one.
October 30, 2009 at 3:21 p.m.
COjayrocks (anonymous) says…

who in the world is considering tech a pushover?!?! Terrible...
October 30, 2009 at 3:54 p.m.
grandpa (anonymous) says…

Good comment Eurekhwk.!
October 30, 2009 at 5:57 p.m.
dmoneyball (anonymous) says…

I don't think anyone here on this site, any fans of KU, or anyone on the KU football team thought that Tech is a pushover. Why would you make that the title? Mayer's stuff is garbage.
October 30, 2009 at 7:29 p.m.

Football

Mayer