 Posted: Thu 4:35, 02 Dec 2010 Post subject: Baron Batch is a great guy and an amazing guy |
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| Batch said even though some fans may want to blame the losses on the transition to coach Tommy Tuberville, he doesn't see it that way.
Batch attributes Tech's problems to too many mistakes made during critical junctures. He said the 2008 squad, which finished 11-2, had another gear to turn to during difficult times and knew how to fight through adversity. "We just got to fix those mistakes and we'll be OK." The fifth-year senior running back wears his emotions on his sleeve and is one of the leaders of this football program. An intense competitor, Batch also writes a column every Wednesday for the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, affording Tech fans insight into his thinking. Baron Batch occupies a special place among Texas Tech fans. Batch and the Red Raiders will make another attempt to fix those mistakes 7 p.m. Saturday when they host No. 14 Missouri (7-1) at Jones AT&T Stadium. "I'd say I'm just as frustrated as the fans are," he said. "But I also say that the record doesn't reflect the quality of the coaches or the athletes and the program. The stats, however, are meaningless to Batch. He just wants to win. The Red Raiders have played in 10 consecutive bowl games, and the 5-foot-10, 210-pounder from Midland doesn't want that streak to end on his watch. "I just don't want to go out [missing a bowl game] because that would not reflect the team that we have and the coaches that we have, and that's the one thing that drives me crazy. It would be different if we had a sorry football team and a sorry coaching staff if we didn't go to a bowl game, but that's not the case." "Baron Batch is a great guy and an amazing guy," Duncan said. "He knows what to do, he knows how to play, he knows how to get focused, and he's really, really into the game. "You can't turn the football over and keep making the mistakes we've made," Batch said. "If we were playing like this -- turning the football over like we are right now -- in 2008,NBA Jerseys, we'd be 4-4 even though we had Graham and [u]Michael Crabtree Jersey[/u]. "I told them that in 2008 when we had that historic team, there were four games that we could have easily lost," Batch said. "But we didn't turn the ball over and we made those plays, and that was the difference." "He's really tough, he's a downhill runner and you will see Batch on the next level." "Even though we're 4-4, no one's quitting on this season and I'm not going to quit on this season. The season's over when the buzzer ticks down on that last game -- whenever that might be." Dwain Price / Special Contributor[u]Michael Crabtree Jersey[/u] So when asked to gauge the pulse of the city in the wake of the Red Raiders' 4-4 season, Batch was direct. "The thought of thinking about not going to a bowl game makes me feel physically sick," Batch said. "Even before the season started, all my plans around the holidays revolved around the fact that we're going to be in a bowl game because we have since I've been here. When [u]Michael Crabtree Jersey[/u], Graham Harrell and Batch led the Red Raiders to new heights in 2008, Batch rushed for a team-high 742 yards on 111 carries. "We have probably some of the best talent that we've had since I've been at Tech. As far as coaching, the coaches are outstanding coaches." Texas Tech senior Baron Batch defends coaches, players and team Tech linebacker Brian Duncan said Batch's straightforward attitude has resonated throughout the team in a positive manner. [u]Michael Crabtree Jersey[/u] Batch leads Tech with 449 yards rushing on 103 carries -- 4.4 yards per attempt -- and is tied for the team lead with four rushing touchdowns. He also has 18 receptions for 110 yards and a touchdown. [u]Michael Crabtree Jersey[/u] "It's not from a lack of effort or a lack of coaching," Batch said. "There's been games we played good football and just came up short. |
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