Thursday, September 22, 2005

Tech's Talk of 100 Upsets Sycamores

Indiana State Coach Lou West promises to use the talk by Texas Tech players of scoring 100 points this week into a motivational tool. "Obviously, that's bulletin board material, and I've put it up on ours," West said (registration required, story also in comments tab).

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Sycamores sick of 100-point talk

BY Jeff Walker
Lubbock Avalanche-Journal

Talk of 100 points has reached the Hoosier State.
The Texas Tech football team probably was not trying to draw attention when answering questions last week about reaching 100 points, but the Sycamores have taken notice.

"Obviously, that's bulletin board material, and I've put it up on ours," said Indiana State head coach Lou West, whose Sycamores will play the Red Raiders at 6 p.m. Saturday at Jones SBC Stadium. "Sometimes what kids say gets blown out of proportion, but as a coach, I'm going to use what I can for motivation."

Following Saturday's 80-21 victory over Sam Houston State, Tech quarterback Cody Hodges and wide receiver Jarrett Hicks were asked by the media if they could reach 100 points and if they would attempt to score 100 points.

Hodges said, "If we play well and we capitalize on every drive, I think we could score a hundred points. I think if we're going to do it, we need to do it next week. But we're not worried about points. As long as we're moving the ball and getting first downs, the points are going to come."

Hicks was asked if the Raiders will try to score 100 and replied, "We try for a hundred every week. If it's working inside our offense, whatever we can get we'll take it and just keep moving."

During Monday's weekly news conference, Hodges made a point to clarify his comments.

"First of all, I would like to clear up my 100-point comment in regards to Indiana State," Hodges said. "What I meant by that is as an offense if we get the ball 15 times a game, we expect to score every time, and that has nothing to do with Indiana State or their defense. They are a good football team. Obviously here at Tech, we want to play one game a week and they just happen to be our opponent next week. But as an offense, our goal is to get in the end zone every time. I just wanted to clear that up."

West, in his first year at Indiana State, said he didn't think Hodges meant any disrespect toward the Division I-AA Sycamores, who are winless in their first three games this season.

"If they have a good game and the team puts it all together, I don't think (the 100-point comment) was meant against a particular team," West said. "It could be (against) Texas, if things are going their way they would want to score that many. I don't think he was disrespecting us. They're going to try to score every time they're on the field."

West said that once the Sycamores leave the locker room, the talk of 100 points stops, but when they get behind the closed doors, he will use whatever motivational tool he can to encourage his players.

Sam Logan is ISU's leading receiver, hauling in 30 passes in the Sycamores' first three games. Logan saw mention of the 100 points in an Indianapolis newspaper, and he wasn't happy with it.

"It bothers me a lot," Logan said. "I can't do much about it on offense, but it's a huge motivation for our defense. At least I hope it is."