Blocked kick stops Tech's attempt at late comeback
Donnie Carona's 50-yard attempt fails and leads to a turning point in the final chapter of the A&M Big 12 rivalry.
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In the final Big 12 Conference game between Texas Tech and Texas A&M on Saturday, Tech kicker Donnie Carona took center stage.
For much of the night, Carona was a saving grace for the Red Raiders offense. He tied a Tech record with four field goals, becoming the program’s first kicker to reach the mark since 1998.
But after converting his first three attempts, Carona’s initial try for field goal No. 4 turned into a disaster, a turning point in the final chapter of the storied Big 12 rivalry.
With Tech trailing the Aggies, 31-23, with five minutes left in the third quarter, Carona lined up for a 50-yard attempt — he had made two kicks from 49 yards out earlier in the contest.
“He had made a couple long ones,” Tech coach Tommy Tuberville said. “That’s the reason we thought we could kick the 50-yarder.”
But after a high snap — which Carona said was not a factor on the play – the kick was blocked by Texas A&M defensive back Dustin Harris. Texas A&M’s Terrence Frederick then scooped up the loose ball and ran untouched for a 63-yard score, helping the Aggies finish the intense series against the Red Raiders with a 45-40 victory at rowdy Jones AT&T Stadium.
A converted field goal would have cut the Tech deficit to five points. Instead, in a flash, the Red Raiders were standing in a 15-point hole.
“You can’t give up a touchdown in a game like this on special teams,” Tuberville said. “If you do, 90 percent of the time you will lose.”
The attempt was made more difficult when Tech committed a false start penalty before Carona could attempt a 45-yarder. Forced to kick at a lower trajectory five yards back, Carona couldn’t get his kick above Harris’ outstretched hand. The Tech kicker was the only player on the field with a chance to catch Frederick as he raced to the end zone, but, like the Red Raiders on Saturday, he came up short.
“Phenomenal, phenomenal play in the game,” Texas A&M coach Mike Sherman said. “(It) really was a deciding factor in the game if you want to look at it.”
Tech offensive coordinator Neal Brown said he thought the Aggies were lined up offside on the play, and Carona said he was surprised Harris arrived as quickly as they did on the kick.
“I don’t know how (Harris) got there so fast, but he did,” Carona said.
The block and subsequent return were the only blights on an otherwise solid special-teams performance from Tech.
Carona’s record-tying fourth field goal — a 30-yarder, which caromed off the left upright — cut A&M’s lead to 45-33 with about 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter. Tech scored again with less than a minute to go, and the Red Raiders had life until the Aggies recovered Carona’s onside kick with 31 seconds left.
The kicking game had hardly been a part of Tech’s offense through the first four games of the season. Carona — who was a perfect 5-for-5 on extra-point attempts — entered Saturday having attempted just three field goals, converting two of them.
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Comments (14)
Add commentForgot to block
Someone did not block, did they?
Forgot to block
Announcers gushed all night over Craig's boy. Little Adam is still watch the Aggie blow past him. I have never seen such lack of effort. But he is Craig's boy so it is ok.
not the reason we lost
We lost because we could not stop cyrus gray on first down. When you get 7-9 yards on first down almost every time, you will lose.
excuses
Tech lost because: (1) an Aggie was offsides, blocked the kick, and the official missed it, (2) Aggies suffered fake injuries, and (3)Tech couldn't recover a last minute onside kick! So many excuses; what really happened was Tech got their backsides kicked. The run defense stood up to their national ranking and the "throw it first" mentality reared it's ugly head. Tech's quarterbacks don't throw the ball downfield (never have) and sooner or later, the other guys find this out.
Reasons....
Games are seldom lost on one play or one call by the official but the blocked field goal was a very significant play in the outcome of this game. It did more than add 7 points on the scoreboard.
Reasons....
Games are seldom lost on one play or one call by the official but the blocked field goal was a very significant play in the outcome of this game. It did more than add 7 points on the scoreboard.
Stop crying like babies
Tech lost because A&M was just a better team. Tech should have lost to Nevada. They can't throw deep. They have average players at best. That so called great recruiting Tuberville had is showing you that those players are not the top players in college. Don't talk about young teams because Texas, Baylor an OSU all have young teams also. Wait till Tech plays OU, OSU, Baylor they are going to get a true spanking
blocked kick
I suppose thats why we had over 500 yards of offense. The Aggies faked injurys.personal fouls were not called. Until Tubbs finally called out the offoicials the refs were not calling pass inteference, but we were called. The hit on Stephens was intentional, he was already stopped and Moore hit him below the knees.Also , where was Jace Amaro,??..He did not start the game, guess Pony complained his boy wasnt playing or catching touchdowns, huh?? He sure did not block on the blocked field goal, did he. Yep, we lost but typical AGGIES,cant win a game unless they cheat.
@what excuse wil
That young Texas team looked great against the Sooners.
Blocked Kick
Craig James & Tuberville were buddies at ESPN.......Craig & his puppet son, Adam are still affecting Tech football. Adam James just waived at Harris as he went by to block the field goal. I guess Adam thought he was sitting by himself in the "dungeon".
oh no
oh no
Jace Amaro
Where was Jace Amaro the other tightend?
GREAT JOB
YEP,great job by the Pony Boys son, in todays article concerning Amaro not playing, he did not play because Adam was doing such a great job.not blocking on field goals and missed other blocks.Amaro had tds in other games, but not Adam. c mon coach, ha ha...
Adam James never moves his
Adam James never moves his feet as the aggie defender blows past him and blocks the field goal. Leach tried to tell you the kid was lazy and if he was still coaching James would be gone. Sure Adam might catch it if you thow the ball to him but blocking....to much trouble. Without AJ Tech wins the game. At least give Adam a cape so he can yell OLE as man blows past him. The nightmare of Adam James legacy continues