Article on Justin Stockton from the campus paper.
http://www.dailytoreador.com/sports...cle_56021012-6200-11e5-9e32-53339935852e.html
By Jeremy Krakosky
Staff Writer | 0 comments
If the Arkansas defense did not already know that sophomore running back Justin Stockton was fast, they found out in the fourth quarter of this past Saturday’s game.
Stockton took a handoff, ran right down the middle of the defense and beat multiple defenders on a 22-yard touchdown run with just more than 13 minutes left in the game to put Texas Tech up 35-24, which was the final score.
Offensive coordinator Eric Morris said that play was the fastest he had ever seen Stockton run.
Stockton was even quicker to give the offensive line the credit for the touchdown run.
“The O-line blocked. They made the hole open up,” he said, “and then I knew from watching film that the linebackers were going to be right there so I hit the hole fast and then I was blessed with the speed to be able to get out like that.”
The sophomore running back carried the ball only four times against Arkansas, but ended up with 45 rushing yards plus the touchdown. He also caught one pass for another 11 yards, according to the Tech Athletics website.
Morris said Stockton’s speed as a receiver has been a great element for him to add for this season, and overall the sophomore has been more sure of himself.
“He stuck one foot in the ground, and last year I don’t think he did that much,” Morris said. “He hesitated a little bit, but he’s seen it, and he did a great job.”
Stockton said now that the Red Raiders are 3-0, the players’ confidence is the highest it has been all season.
“We knew we had to be confident because we knew they’re a great team, Arkansas, SEC, big guys. They always show that they can play and be physical, but we just had to focus and practice harder and study harder.”
Even though the Razorback offense is built around running the ball, Tech actually averaged more yards per rush in the game. The Red Raiders averaged 6.3 yards per rush compared to 5.3 for Arkansas, according to the website.
Once again, Stockton said the running backs were able to accomplish that feat because of the offensive line.
Through three games this season, Stockton has recorded 172 total yards and three touchdowns on only 21 touches.
On all of his touchdowns from last season and this season, Stockton has done the same celebration — kneeled down on one knee and bowed his head.
“I got to thank the man above because I wouldn’t be where I’m at today,” Stockton said. “That’s my way to showing him thanks for giving me that opportunity.”
While he is the backup behind senior running back DeAndre Washington, Stockton said he does not care about how many times he gets the ball as long as the team wins.
“It doesn’t matter. We get the win? That’s good,” Stockton said. “We could run the ball five times in a game and throw it 75 as long as we win. I’m fine with that.”
No. 3 Texas Christian, who Tech will face this weekend, has a defense that is ranked as the fourth-best defense in the Big 12 Conference and has only allowed 156 yards on the ground per game this season, according to the conference website.
The Horned Frogs defense is talented, Stockton said, but Tech’s offense is not intimidated and is not going to change anything that they do.
Saturday’s game against TCU has also officially been sold out, and Stockton said playing the No. 3 team in the country at home, in front of a sellout crowd, should be one of the most exciting games of his young career.
“It’s going to be packed. The fans are going to get it rocking, we’re going to get it rocking. It’s going to be a fun environment,” he said. “(Fans) just be there for us. We need the support. Guns up.”
http://www.dailytoreador.com/sports...cle_56021012-6200-11e5-9e32-53339935852e.html
By Jeremy Krakosky
Staff Writer | 0 comments
If the Arkansas defense did not already know that sophomore running back Justin Stockton was fast, they found out in the fourth quarter of this past Saturday’s game.
Stockton took a handoff, ran right down the middle of the defense and beat multiple defenders on a 22-yard touchdown run with just more than 13 minutes left in the game to put Texas Tech up 35-24, which was the final score.
Offensive coordinator Eric Morris said that play was the fastest he had ever seen Stockton run.
Stockton was even quicker to give the offensive line the credit for the touchdown run.
“The O-line blocked. They made the hole open up,” he said, “and then I knew from watching film that the linebackers were going to be right there so I hit the hole fast and then I was blessed with the speed to be able to get out like that.”
The sophomore running back carried the ball only four times against Arkansas, but ended up with 45 rushing yards plus the touchdown. He also caught one pass for another 11 yards, according to the Tech Athletics website.
Morris said Stockton’s speed as a receiver has been a great element for him to add for this season, and overall the sophomore has been more sure of himself.
“He stuck one foot in the ground, and last year I don’t think he did that much,” Morris said. “He hesitated a little bit, but he’s seen it, and he did a great job.”
Stockton said now that the Red Raiders are 3-0, the players’ confidence is the highest it has been all season.
“We knew we had to be confident because we knew they’re a great team, Arkansas, SEC, big guys. They always show that they can play and be physical, but we just had to focus and practice harder and study harder.”
Even though the Razorback offense is built around running the ball, Tech actually averaged more yards per rush in the game. The Red Raiders averaged 6.3 yards per rush compared to 5.3 for Arkansas, according to the website.
Once again, Stockton said the running backs were able to accomplish that feat because of the offensive line.
Through three games this season, Stockton has recorded 172 total yards and three touchdowns on only 21 touches.
On all of his touchdowns from last season and this season, Stockton has done the same celebration — kneeled down on one knee and bowed his head.
“I got to thank the man above because I wouldn’t be where I’m at today,” Stockton said. “That’s my way to showing him thanks for giving me that opportunity.”
While he is the backup behind senior running back DeAndre Washington, Stockton said he does not care about how many times he gets the ball as long as the team wins.
“It doesn’t matter. We get the win? That’s good,” Stockton said. “We could run the ball five times in a game and throw it 75 as long as we win. I’m fine with that.”
No. 3 Texas Christian, who Tech will face this weekend, has a defense that is ranked as the fourth-best defense in the Big 12 Conference and has only allowed 156 yards on the ground per game this season, according to the conference website.
The Horned Frogs defense is talented, Stockton said, but Tech’s offense is not intimidated and is not going to change anything that they do.
Saturday’s game against TCU has also officially been sold out, and Stockton said playing the No. 3 team in the country at home, in front of a sellout crowd, should be one of the most exciting games of his young career.
“It’s going to be packed. The fans are going to get it rocking, we’re going to get it rocking. It’s going to be a fun environment,” he said. “(Fans) just be there for us. We need the support. Guns up.”
