Cotton, oil and football. Boiling an entire state down to two commodities and a sport may seem a bit unfair, maybe even lazy. But when you are driving through the first two on your way to the third via a seven-hour, nine-highway, 400-mile trek, it’s tough to remember just what else matters in Texas.
This past weekend, our Texas Longhorns visited Lubbock to play Tech’s potent Red Raider football team. I secured a press pass using my UT credentials and dug up an old state atlas, a resource I hadn’t used in a number of years. This would be my first trip to ‘The Hub’, and after I had a good friend from Lubbock recite to me his favorite route from Austin, I realized that I’d be spending game day somewhere between Abilene and San Angelo without the aid of a decent map.
A motley collection of state highways, interstates and farm-to-market roads (71, 87, 83, 158, 2111, 153, 70, 20 and 84) got me to Lubbock in about a tank and a half of gas. I had to frequently resist the urge to stop and take photos, keeping in mind that not everyone in the car shares my passion for standing alongside roads taking pictures of nothing. This is a route I will have to travel again soon so that I can get it on film.
The sun set as we drove through cotton fields, oil fields and wind farms. The glow of Lubbock got brighter and brighter until we found ourselves just outside the city limits, the last place to purchase liquor. We stocked up and headed into town. I got to my friend’s house and we passed the 20 hours until kick-off in what appeared to be the same fashion as the locals: drinking and talking football.
Offensive tackle Tray Allen takes a few seconds for himself in the North end zone minutes before kickoff.
On paper, Jones AT&T Stadium (also known simply as 'The Jones') holds 53,000 people. That night, a record 56,333 found their way in to watch what many were predicting to be the biggest football game ever played in Lubbock.
This game wasn't just one university playing against another. This was the entire population of Lubbock against the dreaded Longhorns from ass-backwards Austin. In terms of community support and excitement, this game fell somewhere between the biggest high school football game of all time and a religious holiday.
Defensive tackle Roy Miller puts some serious pressure on Tech quarterback Graham Harrell. Harrell put on a clinic that night, converting what felt like every third down he met. Our defense played as hard as I've seen them all season, but between an officiating crew that seemed hell-bent on ignoring every instance of holding and a Texas offense that couldn't manage to stay on the field too long, their grit couldn't stop the Red Raiders from moving up and down the field.
The reasons for our offense's inability to get in their regular groove that night could be debated endlessly. But standing on that field, I can safely say that the roar of those Tech fans sounded something like a cross between an F-18 at full afterburner and a Rolling Stones concert. As level-headed as Colt and our offense undoubtedly are, I don't think they had been in hostile territory like that all season.
Defensive end Brian Orakpo is helped off the field after suffering a knee injury in the third quarter.
Miller gets ready to head back out on the field. Roy has proven to be pretty photogenic for me this season.
Head coach Mack Brown watches as Tech's offense moves towards the end zone with less than a minute remaining. Despite an impressive second-half comeback, the Longhorns would not be able to secure the win.
As the clock wound down, Tech fans stormed the field. I camped out behind a small barrier to avoid getting knocked down. I got a few shots before climbing off the field level and finding my way back into the brisk Lubbock night.
We drank and talked football again until sunrise. What went wrong? Where was the officiating? What would happen next? We found no answers, but determined that it's better to lick your wounds in good company and with some alright whiskey.
As we made our way down 84, 20, 70, 153, 2111, 158, 83, 87 and 71 towards Austin, I had plenty of time to think about my first trip to Lubbock. This loss hurt. Really bad. But at the same time, that twisting and turning we felt in our chests that Saturday night reaffirmed just how much we care about our football team. Those are our peers, and an upset in the panhandle is nowhere near enough to keep us from coming out next week.
And as for Lubbock, I didn't mind it too much. Beats the hell out of Dallas.
1 comment:
Great photos! I wish I could've been there.
The drive to Lubbock from Austin can be a pretty one if you have enough day light. Lubbock can be an interesting visit and there's tons of neat places to photograph. Just don't stay too long. :)
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