Latest / Talkin' Tech / Horns Down, NFL Draft Recap and Austin McNamara On His Time At Texas Tech and What To Look Forward To This Football Season

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Horns Down, NFL Draft Recap and Austin McNamara On His Time At Texas Tech and What To Look Forward To This Football Season · Talkin' Tech

0:39
SPEAKER_04: Welcome in everybody to the Talk and Tech Podcast, presented by Guns Up Nation, part of the Guns Up Nation Podcast Network.
0:47
SPEAKER_04: I am your host, Steven Rodriguez, my co-host, Tristan McGonagall.
0:50
SPEAKER_04: Tristan, we have a guest on today's pod.
0:53
SPEAKER_05: Yes, we do.
0:54
SPEAKER_05: We are hosting the golden leg of Texas Tech, Austin McNamara.
1:01
SPEAKER_05: Or is it SmackNamera?
1:03
SPEAKER_04: I don't know.
1:04
SPEAKER_04: We didn't ask him, so we'll never know.
1:06
SPEAKER_04: But Austin McNamara, starting punter for Texas Tech, joins the Talk and Tech podcast.
1:11
SPEAKER_04: We're going to show you that interview here in a bit.
1:13
SPEAKER_04: But first off, you have to listen to us two talk because this is our podcast, and we get to talk about some things and some things that you tech fans will be very excited about, including we just beat the Longhorns in baseball.
1:27
SPEAKER_04: We win the series in Austin.
1:30
SPEAKER_05: If I'm not mistaken, that makes the conference series in basketball and baseball a W for the Red Raiders.
1:38
SPEAKER_05: If I'm not, you know, if I'm not missing anything here.
1:41
SPEAKER_04: No, I think you're right.
1:42
SPEAKER_04: We are winning in two of the three major sports of college athletics.
1:47
SPEAKER_04: Unbelievable first two games from our boys in the Scarlet and Black.
1:52
SPEAKER_04: Um Rain Delay took split the second game in two, and it was exciting the whole way through, man.
2:00
SPEAKER_04: I mean, we just really showed up after losing a tough series to Baylor.
2:04
SPEAKER_04: We come back and go into Austin and immediately just win the series in the first two games.
2:08
SPEAKER_04: And then third game, we're not going to talk about that, but the first two games were pretty unbelievable for our Red Raiders.
2:14
SPEAKER_05: Hey, they can get one.
2:15
SPEAKER_05: It's all good.
2:16
SPEAKER_05: I'm glad I'm just so happy that our boys came and responded to a tough loss in series with Baylor because obviously that's that's one that shouldn't have been dropped.
2:25
SPEAKER_05: But bouncing back and beating a top 10 ranked UT team in Austin is always a very good feeling because I'm sure those Longhorn fans were feeling pretty good about themselves up until we came and ruined their party.
2:38
SPEAKER_05: So I'm glad us and the rain ruined their weekend.
2:41
SPEAKER_04: Yeah, absolutely.
2:42
SPEAKER_04: And now this makes we're probably not gonna win the Big 12, but what we will have won is both series against the top two teams in the Big 12 right now, which really shows that we have a shot at getting a regional hosting spot.
2:57
SPEAKER_04: Um, especially, you know, beating TCU in in our series and then beating UT uh just it's big time.
3:04
SPEAKER_04: I mean, we've dropped two series that we shouldn't have lost, but beating the top two teams in the Big 12 right now, TCU I think is ranked number three.
3:11
SPEAKER_04: UT, I think is ranked I I think in the top six or seven still.
3:15
SPEAKER_04: So, you know, that's just more to add to the resume for the baseball team.
3:20
SPEAKER_05: It always depends on what ranking you're looking at with college baseball.
3:24
SPEAKER_05: You know, there's really it's all over the place, but yes, but all three of our teams.
3:27
SPEAKER_05: Oh, Texas Tech is now mostly in the top 10, depending on where you're looking.
3:30
SPEAKER_05: So I I yes, I'm I'm 100% with you.
3:33
SPEAKER_05: Uh we're really looking bright for the uh regional position spot in the runs Omaha.
3:39
SPEAKER_05: So I will forgo the Big 12 trophy if we can make a deep run for Omaha, of course.
3:44
SPEAKER_05: So absolutely, obviously, adding hardware is always great, but beating your rivals feels good too.
3:49
SPEAKER_05: And I'm so glad we can get uh we can still look forward to a postseason.
3:52
SPEAKER_04: Yeah, absolutely, man.
3:53
SPEAKER_04: So looking forward to see how the baseball team progresses as the season ends because it's coming to an end here pretty soon, and then we're gonna start getting into some postseason baseball.
4:03
SPEAKER_04: So excited for that.
4:04
SPEAKER_04: But we both had a major issue with what occurred over the weekend with the baseball team, with how it was televised, or should I say, not televised to the general public.
4:19
SPEAKER_04: The Longhorn Network is an absolute disgrace to everything.
4:26
SPEAKER_04: I mean, it's just awful.
4:28
SPEAKER_04: Everything about it is just terrible.
4:31
SPEAKER_05: I can't believe that a top 10 matchup between in-state rivals was put on this network to begin with.
4:38
SPEAKER_05: And then not only that, they're not even gonna broadcast said uh matchup.
4:43
SPEAKER_05: That's just unbelievable.
4:44
SPEAKER_05: And it just reinforces the fact that everyone outside of Austin and even some inside of Austin absolutely despise the Longhorn network and what a dumpster fire it has been for everybody in the Big 12.
4:57
SPEAKER_04: It's the stupidest idea ever, man.
4:59
SPEAKER_04: Why why have a network based on one collegiate brand?
5:03
SPEAKER_04: And it's even a collegiate brand that has been average to below average to slightly above average in the two major uh leading sports in college sports.
5:14
SPEAKER_04: I mean, it just doesn't make any sense.
5:17
SPEAKER_04: Why have the Longhorn Network?
5:19
SPEAKER_04: Why, who in their right mind thought that was a good idea?
5:22
SPEAKER_05: This was the before the first big conference network thing really took hold as well, you know.
5:29
SPEAKER_05: And they thought that, you know, perhaps maybe if we give the number one grossing college brand a channel, this will mean big bucks for ESPN.
5:37
SPEAKER_05: Even whenever you say that out loud, how does that make any sense?
5:39
SPEAKER_05: Yeah, you know, is there really enough Longhorn fans alone?
5:42
SPEAKER_04: Even who wants to watch like Alabama right now?
5:45
SPEAKER_04: You know, they're obviously the number one college football team going the last 10 years for sure.
5:51
SPEAKER_04: And then even for like, think about for basketball.
5:53
SPEAKER_04: It's like, okay, let's give Duke their own channel.
5:56
SPEAKER_04: Who's gonna watch that butt Duke fans and bandwagon Duke fans?
6:00
SPEAKER_04: Like, it's just not a good idea.
6:02
SPEAKER_05: Absolutely, and it just makes every team that has to play on it very mad because you're obviously gonna get extremely biased coverage.
6:07
SPEAKER_05: Oh, I'm a Texas Tech fan having to watch the Longhorn Network against the Longhorns.
6:11
SPEAKER_05: We should be viewing the teams as equals, like we're in the same conference, we're both Power Five teams, but somehow we're viewed as the guests on the Almighty Longhorn Network.
6:20
SPEAKER_05: It's just frustrating in its whole sense.
6:23
SPEAKER_05: Um, and I'm just glad that we came in and popped them in the mouth for it.
6:26
SPEAKER_05: And I just thank you so much for uh Jeff Hackston and the great Texas Tech Radio crew for keeping me informed the whole weekend.
6:33
SPEAKER_05: If anything, I think I would rather listen to them on a radio and watch them on TV anyway, like that.
6:38
SPEAKER_05: For sure.
6:39
SPEAKER_04: But I I wrote this down, I did a little research.
6:42
SPEAKER_04: Uh, what is the Longhorn Network showing today, Monday, May 3rd, and tomorrow, Tuesday, May 4th?
6:49
SPEAKER_04: I'm gonna run through this real quick and show you if this network is worth watching.
6:54
SPEAKER_04: 4 a.m.
6:56
SPEAKER_04: to 8 p.m.
6:58
SPEAKER_04: replays of the UT Tech Baseball Series and the Texas OK State Softball Series, both of which they lost.
7:06
SPEAKER_04: 10 p.m.
7:07
SPEAKER_04: to 11 p.m.
7:09
SPEAKER_04: Longhorn Extra, which is a magazine-style show that features stories from the University of Texas, and then 11 to 3:30 a.m., more replays of the softball baseball games, and then Longhorn Extra, and then more replays of the softball baseball games.
7:29
SPEAKER_04: Who thought this was a good idea?
7:33
SPEAKER_05: I was honestly about to bet on the Rose Bowl, the 2006 Rose Bowl.
7:37
SPEAKER_05: I was like, is it just it's gotta be a reruns of that, isn't it?
7:40
SPEAKER_05: I was just about to say, I will bet you ten dollars right now.
7:43
SPEAKER_04: It's surprisingly not, but hey, guess what?
7:46
SPEAKER_04: You can also find the entire Rose Bowl on YouTube.
7:49
SPEAKER_05: Exactly.
7:50
SPEAKER_05: The whole they literally have the whole game, and it's it's on so many rare cable packages as well.
7:56
SPEAKER_05: I'm so glad that my Hulu TV subscription doesn't include it.
8:00
SPEAKER_05: Um, but uh it's just an absolute disgrace on the conference, and it nearly just blew it up a few years uh a decade ago.
8:07
SPEAKER_05: And I'm just really looking forward to the end of the rights on that one, so maybe it can uh you know be repurposed.
8:13
SPEAKER_04: Unfortunately, the rights do not end for a hot minute.
8:17
SPEAKER_04: We have another 10 years to go with the oh my gosh, they really thought this was gonna run that long.
8:24
SPEAKER_04: They signed a 20-year contract in 2011.
8:27
SPEAKER_04: So in 2031 is when we can finally get rid of the Longhorn Network, just a few more tidbits on the freaking Longhorn Network.
8:37
SPEAKER_04: It's not Nielsen rated, it's not Nielsen rated, so viewership is not available to the public.
8:43
SPEAKER_04: We don't know how many views it gets, and that's on purpose because it doesn't get a lot of views.
8:49
SPEAKER_05: It feels so good that they're so average at everything, you know.
8:54
SPEAKER_05: I mean, they have a great baseball team this year, but I mean it's it's feels so good that they haven't ESPN's probably like, are you kidding me right now?
9:03
SPEAKER_04: Yeah, you're like it Hey, what was the worst investment we could have possibly made?
9:08
SPEAKER_05: Oh, it's this I I just I really hate how we were the guinea pig in the Big 12 um for that sort of crap, but um that's all politics in it.
9:18
SPEAKER_05: But I just I feel I feel like we're we're preaching the the noise of every single Big 12 fan that doesn't reside in the burnt orange.
9:26
SPEAKER_05: So uh we're definitely preaching to the choir.
9:29
SPEAKER_05: But it was an absolute disgrace to not be able to watch our Red Raiders play him uh play a top 10 matchup against UT.
9:35
SPEAKER_04: Yeah, no doubt.
9:35
SPEAKER_04: We got 10 more years to complain about the Longhorn Network, and then if ESPN decides to make a new contract, they are more idiotic than what I could have ever imagined.
9:45
SPEAKER_04: So uh Longhorn Network sucks, uh basically, is what the what we just ranted about for the last, I don't know, five, ten minutes.
9:53
SPEAKER_04: So moving on uh from the Longhorn Network, let's get into the NFL draft because we had some boys get drafted this past weekend.
10:02
SPEAKER_04: Uh Zach McPherson going first of all of our guys, uh round four, pick 123 to the Philadelphia Eagles.
10:11
SPEAKER_04: Man, did you expect Zach McPherson to be first off the board?
10:14
SPEAKER_05: No, I I think I speak for most of us when we thought it was gonna be Jack.
10:18
SPEAKER_05: But I mean, good for him, man.
10:19
SPEAKER_05: The guy was an absolute stud in the backfield.
10:22
SPEAKER_05: He really showed that you know the the reputation of a of a weak secondary at Texas Tech is nothing more than a breakable uh facade.
10:31
SPEAKER_05: So I really hope that we can continue his legacy because he did a lot for our program.
10:36
SPEAKER_05: And that I can't wait to cheer for that dude, even though he's going to Philadelphia.
10:40
SPEAKER_05: I'm sure most of our fans are not thrilled about that uh whenever they whenever they watch TV on Sundays.
10:45
SPEAKER_05: But you know, just seeing some red Raiders, especially in in positions where we're not super known for, you know, take off in the big league to uh uh really prove what Texas Tech can provide.
10:55
SPEAKER_04: For sure.
10:56
SPEAKER_04: It just adds to the legacy of Red Raiders in the NFL, you know, making us well known.
11:00
SPEAKER_04: And and he's gonna learn under uh Darius Slay, uh an all-time great cornerback.
11:05
SPEAKER_04: Um, you know, just uh uh I think it's a good spot for Zach to go to, uh, despite, you know, I know we probably have a lot of cowboy fans listening right now that have to uh, you know, instead of root for him, root against him on Sundays.
11:17
SPEAKER_04: But us two will always be rooting for Zach and hope a lot for his uh his future with the NFL.
11:25
SPEAKER_04: Uh but then we got a real surprise because I was watching kind of the third day of the draft, and as it transpired, I'm like, where's Jag Anderson?
11:33
SPEAKER_04: Like, where is this guy actually going?
11:35
SPEAKER_04: I mean, he was projected, you know, kind of fifth round, maybe possibly get a fourth round, but he fell all the way to the seventh round pick 236 to the Buffalo Bills.
11:48
SPEAKER_04: And man, I I the only thing I can really say is the Bills got an absolute steal.
11:53
SPEAKER_05: For sure.
11:54
SPEAKER_05: What a bargain those guys got because Jack is an absolute animal.
11:58
SPEAKER_05: Um, couldn't be happier for him to actually get his name called, though.
12:00
SPEAKER_05: I mean, it's nothing's a guarantee.
12:02
SPEAKER_05: So um, even if even if it was later in the round, I'm sure they're definitely gonna make the most of it.
12:07
SPEAKER_05: And because I could definitely see that man starting on Sunday in the Nazi distance future.
12:12
SPEAKER_04: Yeah, absolutely.
12:13
SPEAKER_04: He was the bright spot of what was a pretty poor O-line performance last season, but he really showed that he can be a great guard at the big at the next level.
12:22
SPEAKER_04: So, you know, shouts out Jack Anderson.
12:25
SPEAKER_04: The Bills are obviously a great team to go to.
12:27
SPEAKER_04: You got a a solid group there, Josh Allen and uh, you know, a great future, just a great team to go to.
12:34
SPEAKER_04: So hopefully, Jack, you know, makes some noise, seventh round picks.
12:37
SPEAKER_04: It's it's tough out there, but you can definitely do it.
12:39
SPEAKER_04: The babyface monster, yeah, man, absolutely the baby face with two full arm tattoo sleeves.
12:46
SPEAKER_05: That's built like a giant.
12:48
SPEAKER_04: Yeah, dude's dude's awesome.
12:49
SPEAKER_04: So good luck to Zach and Jack uh in the NFL.
12:53
SPEAKER_04: Also, we had two more guys signed.
12:55
SPEAKER_04: They went undrafted, but they signed with teams.
12:57
SPEAKER_04: Uh, Eli Howard, an undrafted free agent signing to the Falcons, and TJ Vasher, an undrafted free agent signing to your Dallas Cowboys.
13:09
SPEAKER_04: Uh, big time moves for those guys.
13:11
SPEAKER_05: Yeah, let's let's talk about those two guys real quick.
13:13
SPEAKER_05: I mean, how weird is it gonna be to not see Eli Howard on Saturday?
13:17
SPEAKER_04: I feel like I feel like he's been a tech for forever.
13:21
SPEAKER_05: For real.
13:22
SPEAKER_05: I feel like he was there our whole college career, and he was just such a a core part of our defense for so long.
13:28
SPEAKER_05: And it's just it's gonna be really cool to see if he can break his way into that Atlanta lineup because he's he's got the tangibles to do it and he's got the attitude to do it.
13:35
SPEAKER_05: That guy brings fire every time he plays.
13:37
SPEAKER_05: So if he can get that on that field of Atlanta, I mean I it's gonna be a great day in Raider Land.
13:42
SPEAKER_04: Yeah, man, absolutely.
13:43
SPEAKER_04: And then, of course, 6'6, TJ Vasher going to try to get a spot with the uh hometown Dallas Cowboys.
13:50
SPEAKER_04: That's big time.
13:51
SPEAKER_04: I mean, he's uh you know, I thought somebody was gonna take a shot on him for his pure intangibles alone.
13:57
SPEAKER_04: You be you know, six six, he's got these unbelievable highlight catches throughout his career.
14:02
SPEAKER_04: Yeah, he was very inconsistent a lot, especially in his later seasons, but he really showed that he has a lot of promise.
14:08
SPEAKER_04: So good that Jerry and the Cowboys are taking a chance on him.
14:12
SPEAKER_05: Absolutely.
14:12
SPEAKER_05: The man has glue for hands, so I'm really looking forward to seeing some highlight reels on ESPN's uh top 10 plays and all that.
14:18
SPEAKER_05: So, um, how many how many uh cowboy Red Rider fans went ahead and ordered a jersey?
14:24
SPEAKER_04: Oh, I I I don't know.
14:26
SPEAKER_04: I don't know.
14:27
SPEAKER_04: Some guys are very cautious these days.
14:29
SPEAKER_04: Uh they were too busy, they were too busy getting upset that um uh both both star cornerbacks in the draft got taken the two picks before them.
14:38
SPEAKER_04: So so I know Zach McPherson went to the Eagles.
14:42
SPEAKER_04: I know you could have had Zach McPherson the entire time, guys.
14:44
SPEAKER_04: I don't know what you're doing, Cowboys, but no, but we're excited for all four of these guys that are getting their opportunity, getting their chance in the NFL.
14:52
SPEAKER_04: Hopefully, um, you know, they make something of it and and they ended up having great and long careers.
14:57
SPEAKER_05: Absolutely.
14:58
SPEAKER_05: So I mean, I think all in all, uh, even though four, uh well, two technically, but four all in all in a in an NFL draft, you know, it's it's not a ton, but I think that's what what Tex Tech fans need can look forward to, is that means a lot of guys are coming back because it's not like we have a lack of NFL talent on this Red Raider team.
15:15
SPEAKER_05: So I this I'm so happy to see so many of our guys gonna have a very veteran team.
15:19
SPEAKER_05: We're gonna talk to a veteran here in a few minutes, and uh I can't wait for this football season, man.
15:25
SPEAKER_05: It's it's the hype is growing once more as it happens in this offseason.
15:29
SPEAKER_05: So, but I really do think this is gonna be a special group of guys, and we're about to talk to a special dude in uh here in a bit.
15:34
SPEAKER_04: Yeah, man, absolutely.
15:35
SPEAKER_04: So, why don't we just get into it?
15:36
SPEAKER_04: Here's our interview with Austin McNamara.
15:40
SPEAKER_04: All right, so we're here with Austin McNamara starting punter for Texas Tech.
15:45
SPEAKER_04: Austin, how are you doing today, man?
15:47
SPEAKER_06: Doing good, how are you?
15:48
SPEAKER_04: Doing well, brother.
15:49
SPEAKER_04: Appreciate you hopping on the pod.
15:51
SPEAKER_06: Yes, sir, no problem.
15:53
SPEAKER_04: Yeah, so I guess we could start off because I've always been curious about this with punters and with kickers, how you got into it.
16:00
SPEAKER_04: Like in middle school, high school, you know, did you did you play soccer first?
16:04
SPEAKER_04: Because I feel like that's a lot of their stories, or did you just like choose to start punting, you know, kind of in school?
16:11
SPEAKER_06: Right.
16:11
SPEAKER_06: Yeah, so I played soccer uh growing up.
16:13
SPEAKER_06: My dad played soccer in high school.
16:15
SPEAKER_06: Um, so me and my siblings have all played growing up, and so um, but I started kicking and punting uh my freshman year of high school, uh, the summer before my freshman year.
16:25
SPEAKER_06: Um, and it was kind of one of those things where like I just wanted to try it and um and see if I liked it.
16:30
SPEAKER_06: I didn't know anything about it.
16:32
SPEAKER_06: I didn't know anyone that kicked.
16:33
SPEAKER_06: Um I didn't have like any friends that did it just for fun.
16:35
SPEAKER_06: So I kind of just learned on my own.
16:36
SPEAKER_06: So me and my dad tried it um my freshman year of high school, and I played that season just to see if I, like I said, I see if I liked it.
16:45
SPEAKER_06: And I've never done that before and everything.
16:46
SPEAKER_06: And so I didn't even know how to put shoulder pads on, honestly, um before that, because I never played football.
16:50
SPEAKER_06: I was always basketball and soccer growing up.
16:53
SPEAKER_06: So um, yeah, so I I tried it.
16:55
SPEAKER_06: Uh fresh a year, I had a really good year, and so I was like, well, this is fun.
16:59
SPEAKER_06: I might as well stick with it, and so I did, um, and just kept getting better.
17:04
SPEAKER_06: Um, got some other experts' opinions trying to get my technique and form better and improve my game over the years, and then um fortunate enough to be here and play at Texas Tech and and uh kind of just took off from there.
17:15
SPEAKER_06: So yeah.
17:17
SPEAKER_06: Well, we're glad you gave it a shot, man.
17:19
SPEAKER_06: Uh because I think it turned out pretty well for you.
17:22
SPEAKER_06: I do too.
17:23
SPEAKER_06: My dad's my dad is also glad I gave it a shot.
17:26
SPEAKER_06: So yeah.
17:28
SPEAKER_05: That's that's so cool, man.
17:29
SPEAKER_05: So so speaking about the those those old days, so I mean, here you are.
17:33
SPEAKER_05: You you got this, you got this knack for kicking the football, and you obviously you got some sweet colleges calling your name.
17:38
SPEAKER_05: You look at this list.
17:39
SPEAKER_05: I mean, you recruited some big name schools.
17:41
SPEAKER_05: I mean, Arizona, Arizona State, Missouri, Nebraska, even Utah State.
17:45
SPEAKER_05: And then you get a call from Lubbock, Texas.
17:48
SPEAKER_05: So, can you walk us through at all what drug eats the Scarlet and Black out here in the West Texas plains?
17:54
SPEAKER_06: Uh yeah, that's a good question.
17:55
SPEAKER_06: So um, Coach Wells recruited me at Utah State.
17:58
SPEAKER_06: Um, so we already had that relationship um in high school.
18:01
SPEAKER_06: And so uh that was earlier in my high school career in my senior year.
18:05
SPEAKER_06: Um, after my senior year, Coach Wells got the job here.
18:08
SPEAKER_06: Um and he called me up and said, Hey, we need a punter.
18:11
SPEAKER_06: Um, I'm looking at a scholarship at punter.
18:13
SPEAKER_06: And so I was obviously really intrigued by that.
18:15
SPEAKER_06: Um, to be honest, I told the story all the time.
18:17
SPEAKER_06: To be honest, I had no idea where Texas Tech was.
18:20
SPEAKER_06: Um I knew it was in Texas, obviously, but I just didn't know like where it was, what city it was in.
18:26
SPEAKER_06: And so I had to look it up.
18:27
SPEAKER_06: I had to look up stuff about Lubbock.
18:29
SPEAKER_06: Um, I I was actually um I was probably here for I was only here for a day on my visit because the next day was a dead period.
18:36
SPEAKER_06: And so there's no recruiting or anything going on.
18:38
SPEAKER_06: So I had to come out here really quick and kind of had to react to that offer because I I always wanted to see the campus and kind of see the city before I come in.
18:46
SPEAKER_06: That was kind of my thing with all my offers and and uh make sure I liked it.
18:49
SPEAKER_06: I felt like I was home, I was at home, and so I did and came out here and and really uh enjoyed it.
18:54
SPEAKER_06: It was obviously way different.
18:55
SPEAKER_06: I remember I'll never forget, I remember when I flew in, like it just looked totally different than what I'm used to in Arizona.
19:01
SPEAKER_06: And uh there's no mountains, just flat plains, like you said, and and I was like, oh no, I don't know what I'm getting myself into here.
19:08
SPEAKER_06: So um, but I ended up liking it a lot.
19:11
SPEAKER_06: Um, you know, and um my first year, it was definitely a big adjustment uh moving here and stuff, but now it feels like home uh to me and I've grown to love it.
19:20
SPEAKER_06: Um but that's kind of just how it came all about.
19:21
SPEAKER_06: And so Coach Wells is kind of the main reason why I'm here, and he's the one who recruited me.
19:25
SPEAKER_04: So yeah, man, I think that's like what a lot of people think, even students when they first get on campus and they're like, okay, so this is this is what it is.
19:33
SPEAKER_04: You know, you think West Texas, you're like, okay, there's no trees, what's going on here?
19:37
SPEAKER_04: You know, there's a lot of dirt.
19:39
SPEAKER_04: But once you get here and once you like experience Lubbock and experience the college town atmosphere, it just really sells you, you know.
19:46
SPEAKER_06: Yeah, 100%.
19:47
SPEAKER_06: Yeah, I uh I fallen in love with just like you said, the college town aspect of it.
19:51
SPEAKER_06: Um that's really cool, and and just the people are really nice here.
19:54
SPEAKER_06: Um, you know, I just enjoy being in Texas.
19:57
SPEAKER_06: It's um it's good to get away from you know your hometown, uh, Gilbert, where I'm from, and and um just explore, you know, and and I really enjoyed it.
20:06
SPEAKER_04: For sure, man.
20:07
SPEAKER_04: So okay, so you come in, true freshman, you're already starting punter, you're named starting punter before the season.
20:13
SPEAKER_04: What was that like like going through this?
20:15
SPEAKER_04: Was it like a like a just insane feeling when you're getting all these honors after your first season?
20:22
SPEAKER_04: You know, you're you're so young, you're a true freshman, and you're already getting named All-American, that type of stuff.
20:27
SPEAKER_04: What was that like?
20:28
SPEAKER_06: It was really cool.
20:29
SPEAKER_06: It was really humbling for sure.
20:31
SPEAKER_06: Um, and you know, I never I've always me and my dad have always had this saying since I was in high school, um, hard work pays off.
20:38
SPEAKER_06: And so I kind of kept that mindset, especially after my first year, um, and talking with Coach Wells and Coach Tumerdal and and other coaches, other guys that I that uh trained me back home.
20:48
SPEAKER_06: They're like anybody can do it once, but can you do it twice?
20:51
SPEAKER_06: Can you do it three times?
20:52
SPEAKER_06: Can you do it four times while I'm here?
20:54
SPEAKER_06: And so my goal has always been to re-stack success every year and try and get better.
20:58
SPEAKER_06: Um, so I was really, really happy with my freshman performance.
21:02
SPEAKER_06: Um and you know, I just wanted to build off that uh into my sophomore year last year.
21:06
SPEAKER_06: And COVID, COVID wasn't really uh a big thing for me personally, at least.
21:10
SPEAKER_06: Uh I just go out there and do my job and try to.
21:13
SPEAKER_06: So um I just wanted to keep stacking success every year, um, especially next year.
21:18
SPEAKER_06: Uh I'm already working on technique stuff and trying to get better for next year and and just keep going up.
21:22
SPEAKER_06: But um, it was really humbling, like I said, and it was exciting.
21:25
SPEAKER_06: It just kind of motivate motivated me to work harder and and um and every year I'm trying to be better.
21:30
SPEAKER_05: I love that mindset, man.
21:32
SPEAKER_05: It's it's for to to not only be satisfied with with how you did, but wanting to have more of it.
21:37
SPEAKER_05: And now you have your name memorialized into that uh record book and you heard it, and that's it's really incredible, dude.
21:43
SPEAKER_05: Um, and you mentioned COVID.
21:45
SPEAKER_05: So, like we everyone's curious.
21:48
SPEAKER_05: Like, you you you got to play college football during the probably the weirdest time ever.
21:53
unknown: Right?
21:53
SPEAKER_05: What was that like day to day practice, locker rooms, you know, the the facilities and the games, like what?
22:00
SPEAKER_05: What was that like to have to live through that?
22:02
SPEAKER_06: Yeah, um I it wasn't honestly it wasn't that big of a difference, I think.
22:08
SPEAKER_06: And I think you know, our football staff, uh strength staff and our uh trainers that we have through the football and really all sports here at Texas Tech, I feel like everyone did a really good job of you know trying to make it as normal as possible.
22:20
SPEAKER_06: I mean, like honestly, like I mean we had to wear like change our helmets a little bit, like wear visors and wear um kind of like a protective thing over like the bottom half of our of our of our helmet.
22:31
SPEAKER_06: So and that was just you know for guys being up close next to each other, trying to help uh spread germs or whatever.
22:39
SPEAKER_06: But I mean, like the locker room situation, like they spaced out every other locker um and all the younger guys.
22:45
SPEAKER_06: So I was in this younger group, and so we all had to move down into the uh actually stadium locker room, and they split up the locker rooms kind of just to help spread us out.
22:53
SPEAKER_06: Um uh games and and you know, obviously on the plane, we wear masks on the plane, uh going to away, you know, on the bus.
23:01
SPEAKER_06: And so, but I mean, you know, nothing really felt like it wasn't totally, you know, crazy uh chaos, honestly.
23:08
SPEAKER_06: Um obviously was different.
23:10
SPEAKER_06: Uh that was for every team, not just us, but I think they did a really good job of trying to help us just stay, you know, stay cool, kind of focus on the game, the task at hand that's that weekend and that Saturday when we play.
23:21
SPEAKER_06: And um, and I it wasn't really that big of a difference.
23:24
SPEAKER_06: Now it's kind of a little bit more back to normal, which is nice.
23:27
SPEAKER_06: Um, and that trying to, and we're looking forward to hopefully getting uh the Jones packed again, uh full capacity.
23:34
SPEAKER_06: That's that was also a really big difference was the stadium, you know.
23:37
SPEAKER_06: Other schools throughout the or like the Big 12 were a little bit different as you know how how much they let, how many people they let in, right?
23:43
SPEAKER_06: How many if they're spaced out and and um and that kind of thing.
23:47
SPEAKER_06: But that was really the main difference, honestly.
23:49
SPEAKER_06: Uh, but we're just looking forward to getting back to normal and having the Jones packed again.
23:53
SPEAKER_06: It's a great atmosphere for college football, so I'm looking forward to it as well.
23:56
SPEAKER_04: Yeah, man, absolutely.
23:57
SPEAKER_04: And I mean, that's it's got to be a difference having a spring ball and not having a spring ball, you know, going in, you're not getting acquainted with your new team, some possible new coaches.
24:06
SPEAKER_04: You know, it's just it's just so different, you know, having that having that spring ball this season.
24:11
SPEAKER_04: So, what has that already shown going into this year?
24:14
SPEAKER_04: Are y'all just like a lot tighter of a group than possibly you would have been last season?
24:19
SPEAKER_06: I I would agree 100%.
24:21
SPEAKER_06: I think um I think we are tighter.
24:23
SPEAKER_06: I think that spring ball definitely helps.
24:25
SPEAKER_06: Um, this was actually my first spring because I got here in the summer, my freshman year, then last year we got it canceled because of COVID.
24:31
SPEAKER_06: So I haven't been through a spring ball yet, uh, personally, here at Texas Tech and my college career yet.
24:36
SPEAKER_06: So it was um interesting.
24:38
SPEAKER_06: It was really cool for me, my first time, like I said.
24:40
SPEAKER_06: So um that was really cool, but I feel like we are tighter as a group.
24:44
SPEAKER_06: We got that chemistry better, um, you know, with with a couple new coaches, got some guys coming in, additions to our team, and I think spring ball really helps, as other teams in the country, right?
24:54
SPEAKER_06: Just it's a good time to you know get kind of knock the rust off, um, kind of learn new offenses or defenses or whatever you're doing.
25:01
SPEAKER_06: Um ours was learning a new offense uh for us with a new offense coordinator, but I thought the guys are really clicking right now, and it was a lot of fun to be back out there and and um and be with the guys again.
25:13
SPEAKER_06: So that was cool.
25:14
SPEAKER_05: It's so cool to hear that you know, you you get to have this offseason for once, you know, rather than the the craziness before.
25:20
SPEAKER_05: So I mean that that's that's just great news.
25:22
SPEAKER_05: What were you gonna say, Steven?
25:24
SPEAKER_04: Um, really, I just had like what what do you like?
25:27
SPEAKER_04: You're going into this season, obviously.
25:29
SPEAKER_04: You've you've worked on your personal game, and uh, you know, we have a lot of returners coming into this team uh in the linebacking core, in uh receivers, you know, a couple a couple new quarterbacks coming in.
25:40
SPEAKER_04: But is there like something specifically that Coach Wells has emphasized this offseason to improve amongst you know the rest of the rest of the team?
25:49
SPEAKER_06: Right.
25:49
SPEAKER_06: Yeah, I think um making it more player-led.
25:53
SPEAKER_06: So not as much, you know, coach led like coaches telling us what to do.
25:56
SPEAKER_06: Um, I feel like we try to make it more of a player-led program and um talking to either guys in the team that have been a part of winning programs, coaches that have won national championships, like it's all player-led.
26:07
SPEAKER_06: And so I think that's one of them one of the biggest things is trying to build more leaders.
26:11
SPEAKER_06: Um, and so I'm looking to embrace that role um kind of as an older guy uh coming in as a junior this year and trying to help, you know, either we have a few specialists and uh guys coming in to help uh for our position group, uh, more specifically, uh younger guys that are coming in, they don't have a lot of college experience, so I'll help lead in that way, but also just guys in the team in general.
26:31
SPEAKER_06: Um, I feel like that'd be, you know, I feel like we're already way ahead of than we were my freshman year, my sophomore year.
26:38
SPEAKER_06: I feel like we're all a lot tighter, we got more talent.
26:40
SPEAKER_06: Um, and we're just we all just click together really well and get along on and off the field.
26:45
SPEAKER_06: Um, and I feel like we're gonna be really successful this year, and I hope we are, and we're all ready to go out and prove a lot of people wrong this year.
26:52
SPEAKER_04: So that's awesome, man.
26:53
SPEAKER_04: Well, hey, me and Tristan of all people are excited, you know, coming and seeing seeing y'all play next season and just seeing how the football team progresses because we we're always really excited to see y'all get get on the field again, man.
27:05
SPEAKER_06: Yeah, can't wait.
27:06
SPEAKER_04: So um, I did have a couple just yeah, a couple quick fires right here just to kind of end her off.
27:13
SPEAKER_04: So last season we had a few kicking issues, you know, coming in and out, switching out on a few kickers, place kickers, that is.
27:21
SPEAKER_04: Were you ever told in practice to start practicing possibly kicking field goals?
27:27
SPEAKER_06: No, I I haven't I haven't been, I mean, so I kicked in high school, like I mentioned earlier, um, all four years.
27:33
SPEAKER_06: Um, but I was never asked to kick field goals or um or kickoffs.
27:38
SPEAKER_06: My main focus was just to punt all last year, um, and also be the backup holder, and I'll be the holder this year as well.
27:44
SPEAKER_06: Um, so I'm not really mixed in with all the field goal and kickoff stuff now.
27:48
SPEAKER_06: I'm just just punting.
27:49
SPEAKER_06: So all right.
27:50
SPEAKER_05: Well, this was a big point of contingency between Steve and I.
27:53
SPEAKER_05: We wanted to ask you a very important question.
27:55
SPEAKER_05: What's your favorite uni combo?
27:57
SPEAKER_05: Uni combo, that's a good, that's a good question.
28:00
SPEAKER_06: Um I've always been a really uh big fan of like the all black, especially in high school.
28:06
SPEAKER_06: Um I don't know why.
28:08
SPEAKER_06: I just like the all black.
28:09
SPEAKER_06: Um my favorite, I feel like the all red against Kansas, our last game this year, was really cool and really shooting.
28:15
SPEAKER_06: I did personally coming into it, I didn't know like how it was gonna look because um, you know, all red, and I don't I just yeah, we didn't know how it was gonna look, but I I really really liked it.
28:24
SPEAKER_06: Um favorite uniform combo.
28:27
SPEAKER_06: Um you fond of the throwbacks?
28:31
SPEAKER_06: I really like the throwbacks.
28:32
SPEAKER_06: Our I actually our Texas uniforms are were probably my favorite.
28:37
SPEAKER_06: That's last year.
28:38
SPEAKER_06: Uh I think we went uh white, red, and then white pants, I think it was, and then um I think that was that's what it was.
28:46
SPEAKER_06: But I really liked our throwbacks.
28:47
SPEAKER_06: I've always been a big fan of those.
28:49
SPEAKER_06: We played at Oklahoma my freshman year.
28:51
SPEAKER_06: We had our throwbacks, and then last year against Texas.
28:54
SPEAKER_06: So um I've always been a big fan of those, and so that would probably be my favorite one this year.
28:58
SPEAKER_06: Those are cool.
28:59
SPEAKER_06: Right on, man.
29:00
SPEAKER_04: Yeah, I mean, you you can't miss with the Texas Tech uniform.
29:03
SPEAKER_04: You really can't.
29:03
SPEAKER_04: Like everything, every combo works.
29:05
SPEAKER_06: Yeah, agreed.
29:07
SPEAKER_04: So, okay, one question that probably everybody wants to know.
29:12
SPEAKER_04: What did you eat the morning of the 87-yard punt against West Virginia?
29:16
SPEAKER_04: Like, what did you change up your diet?
29:18
SPEAKER_04: Like, what happened that day?
29:20
SPEAKER_06: Uh, I I don't know.
29:22
SPEAKER_06: I I didn't change anything different.
29:24
SPEAKER_06: I mean, not that I can remember.
29:26
SPEAKER_06: Um, maybe it's something on accident that I didn't mean to do, but I guess it worked.
29:30
SPEAKER_06: I don't know.
29:30
SPEAKER_06: I I didn't really change anything up.
29:32
SPEAKER_06: Um, I mean, I I've been telling people this, so like people ask, like, you know, did it come like when you kicked it, did it feel like it was just different than the others?
29:40
SPEAKER_06: And and it didn't.
29:42
SPEAKER_06: I mean, I like I mean, because I if because I, you know, right when I punted it, right when I made contact, I mean, shortly after I got hit and I was on the ground.
29:49
SPEAKER_06: And so coming off my foot, you know, usually I have a second to look up and see where it's going, but I I mean I was on the ground before I could even look up.
29:55
SPEAKER_06: And so I it took me a couple extra seconds to look back up and like I started hearing like the crowd going, like I started hearing like noise, and like and I was hoping it wasn't gonna be a shank because like sometimes the people will like start booing or like start gasping for the shank, right?
30:09
SPEAKER_06: So I was just really didn't know what was gonna happen.
30:11
SPEAKER_06: And and I looked back up and it was still going and I was and I was pumped, and I was just just for you know, I didn't really I don't think I got all of it, honestly.
30:19
SPEAKER_06: And the win at that time I don't remember was you know was was crazy.
30:23
SPEAKER_06: I think it was just a normal win that I deal with every game.
30:27
SPEAKER_06: Um and so you know, I I I really didn't know what to expect, honestly.
30:31
SPEAKER_06: And I looked up and it was still going and I was and I was I was happy about it because I didn't I feel like I didn't get all of the get all of it.
30:38
SPEAKER_06: And so um, but no, I didn't change anything different.
30:40
SPEAKER_06: I I didn't do anything different.
30:41
SPEAKER_06: Um I just go out there and and try and punt.
30:44
SPEAKER_06: I don't know if it'll happen again, you know.
30:46
SPEAKER_06: Obviously it'd be really cool if it did, but there's no promises.
30:48
SPEAKER_04: So hey man, the what the West Texas wind, it helps you and it and it doesn't help you at times, but that time it definitely helped you out, man.
30:56
SPEAKER_04: I mean you boomed that thing.
30:57
SPEAKER_04: That was unbelievable.
30:59
SPEAKER_05: Thank you.
30:59
SPEAKER_05: Play of the season, dude.
31:01
SPEAKER_05: Seriously, that was that was unreal.
31:04
SPEAKER_06: Thank you.
31:04
SPEAKER_06: Yeah, I uh I wish I could say I could do that every time, but for sure.
31:09
SPEAKER_04: Well, you have one of the highest putouts in the Big 12 in college football in general.
31:14
SPEAKER_04: So man, you're you're you just keep doing what you're doing, you know, because you've been you've been an awesome, an awesome player for us.
31:21
SPEAKER_04: Um but to kind of end it off here, you know, we do a song of the week every episode here on Talking Tech Podcast.
31:29
SPEAKER_04: First off, before I ask you your song of the week, what kind of music are you into?
31:34
SPEAKER_06: So I'm just into like the modern day like rap and hip hop.
31:38
SPEAKER_06: Um, I'm a big country guy as well.
31:41
SPEAKER_06: Um and that's kind of really the only I listen to, like hip-hop, rap, um, any kind of pop, that kind of thing, the upbeat kind of tempo stuff, and then um kind of big, like you know, modern day country guy.
31:54
SPEAKER_06: Um, and that's that's really about it.
31:55
SPEAKER_06: That's all I listen to.
31:56
SPEAKER_06: Honestly, I'm kind of I don't really have like a full variety of music.
32:00
SPEAKER_04: I gotcha.
32:01
SPEAKER_04: I gotcha.
32:01
SPEAKER_04: Right on, man.
32:02
SPEAKER_04: So all right, let's get it.
32:03
SPEAKER_04: What's your song of the week?
32:04
SPEAKER_06: Uh good question.
32:06
SPEAKER_06: I think um song of the week has always been um kind of a banger for me uh since I've been home.
32:12
SPEAKER_06: Kind of I listen to it uh pregame, uh either on the bus or at the hotel.
32:17
SPEAKER_06: Um it's kind of a classic.
32:19
SPEAKER_06: It's called The Show Goes On, uh, really good one.
32:22
SPEAKER_06: Um and kind of just an upbeat one that um really what reminds me, so like I try and listen to music that's like calming, and um even though like it's upbeat and pace, but like kind of has a uh message behind it.
32:35
SPEAKER_06: So with that song, that was kind of like our go-to song back in Arizona for boating.
32:39
SPEAKER_06: Like we used to have a boat, uh two boats.
32:41
SPEAKER_06: My grandpa my grandpa used to have two boats, and so uh at different times, but I grew up boating all the time in Arizona, and that's kind of the main thing that we do there, and so that was kind of like a boating song.
32:51
SPEAKER_06: Um everyone listens to it, and and um it's all it's got a good vibe behind it, I guess.
32:56
SPEAKER_04: So I love yeah, you know who sings that?
33:00
SPEAKER_06: So it's um the late it's called Lasers is the album name.
33:04
SPEAKER_06: Um but it's uh I think it's Lupe uh Fiasco, I think.
33:09
SPEAKER_06: Okay, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
33:11
SPEAKER_06: I don't know, but yeah, it's it's really good.
33:27
SPEAKER_05: Right on, man.
33:28
SPEAKER_05: Well, thank you for inviting us on this McNamara boating trip with you with this.
33:34
SPEAKER_06: Uh it's a place to be.
33:35
SPEAKER_06: I'll be there.
33:36
SPEAKER_06: Uh I go home on Wednesday, um, kind of get a break for football a little bit.
33:40
SPEAKER_06: I'll still be training, obviously, in Arizona, um, a couple times a week, but probably hit the lake.
33:44
SPEAKER_06: You know, that's that's the place to be.
33:46
SPEAKER_06: So it's a good time.
33:47
SPEAKER_04: Right on, brother.
33:48
SPEAKER_04: Well, man, we appreciate you coming on.
33:50
SPEAKER_04: Uh, good luck next season.
33:52
SPEAKER_04: You know, you've been an awesome player for Texas Tech, like we mentioned earlier.
33:56
SPEAKER_04: And uh just good luck next season, man.
33:58
SPEAKER_06: Thank you.
33:58
SPEAKER_06: I appreciate it.
34:00
SPEAKER_04: Well, that was our interview with Austin McMara.
34:03
SPEAKER_04: He was great.
34:04
SPEAKER_04: He was a great dude to talk to.
34:05
SPEAKER_04: You know, we had a really good time.
34:06
SPEAKER_04: Uh, he's really showing that he's gonna be a veteran coming into this team and be a real vocal leader on the field for Matt Wells and for Texas Tech next season.
34:17
SPEAKER_04: So uh we appreciate Austin for coming on, but let's give our songs of the week uh because we got Austin's and it was a great one hype up song.
34:25
SPEAKER_04: So, Tristan, why don't you give me your song of the week?
34:28
SPEAKER_05: All right, so you know me.
34:29
SPEAKER_05: I'm gonna do a local group here out of Texas.
34:31
SPEAKER_05: I'm gonna do a country rock outfit.
34:34
SPEAKER_05: It's gonna be Shane Smith and the Saints.
34:37
SPEAKER_05: I'm sure many of our listeners are familiar with this awesome group.
34:40
SPEAKER_05: They're a very unique group, instantly recognizable as soon as you hear them, especially those lead vocals, those howling vocals.
34:46
SPEAKER_05: I'm gonna do it.
34:47
SPEAKER_05: One of their covers, actually, of uh Band of Heathens is gonna be Hurricane.
34:52
SPEAKER_05: It's gonna, it's just such a hype song, and you just cannot help but need to get working out, get hyped, get going.
35:01
SPEAKER_05: So I thought this would be a good episode since I'm so excited for football season.
35:04
SPEAKER_05: I need some hype in my life.
35:20
SPEAKER_04: Absolutely, man.
35:21
SPEAKER_04: That's another another band that I've heard of that I'm just not familiar with, so I'll have to check that out as well.
35:27
SPEAKER_04: You know, maybe get a good pump in, listen to some Shane Smith and the Saints.
35:32
SPEAKER_04: So, my song of the week is by a guy who has become one of my favorite artists.
35:38
SPEAKER_04: Unfortunately, he uh passed away a little bit ago, but Juice World, uh, I'm gonna choose his song Wishing Well.
35:46
SPEAKER_04: Great song out there, just a really, really fun jam to listen to.
35:50
SPEAKER_04: I'm a big Juice World fan.
35:51
SPEAKER_04: He died way too soon, but he has a lot of good music to remember him by.
35:55
SPEAKER_04: So that's my song of the week.
35:56
SPEAKER_04: Wishing Well by Juice World.
35:58
unknown: I can't breathe.
35:59
unknown: I'm waiting for the X Hell.
36:01
SPEAKER_00: Talk about pain with my wishes in a wishing well.
36:04
SPEAKER_00: Still no drug, but oh well.
36:08
SPEAKER_00: I still try even though I know I'm gonna fail.
36:11
SPEAKER_05: Man, we have got a mix of three great variety songs.
36:16
SPEAKER_04: Yeah, we do.
36:17
SPEAKER_04: Yeah, we do.
36:18
SPEAKER_04: I'm excited, man.
36:19
SPEAKER_04: This was a uh this is a really fun episode to record.
36:21
SPEAKER_04: I hoped all of y'all liked it, but we're gonna finish it off here.
36:25
SPEAKER_04: Uh, you can follow both me and Tristan on Twitter.
36:27
SPEAKER_04: Tristan is at Tristy Mick.
36:29
SPEAKER_04: I am at L underscore S underscore Rodriguez.
36:31
SPEAKER_04: The pod is on Twitter, it is at Talking Tech Pod.
36:34
SPEAKER_04: We are very close to 500 followers.
36:37
SPEAKER_04: We are very excited with that.
36:40
SPEAKER_04: Uh, you can follow our songs of the week playlist that is on Apple Music and Spotify.
36:45
SPEAKER_04: Look on our Twitter account, and we will give you a link to that.
36:48
SPEAKER_04: You can send us your mailbag questions, send us your general feedback, send us whatever you want.
36:54
SPEAKER_04: That is talkintechpod at gmail.com.
36:57
SPEAKER_04: So always wreck them tech.
36:59
SPEAKER_03: Wreck em tech.
37:01
SPEAKER_03: Uh wow.
37:02
SPEAKER_03: First of all, uh got a lot of respect for Steven and Tristan.
37:07
SPEAKER_03: Uh their program, tough guys, just uh a lot of fun.
37:11
SPEAKER_00: I love the game of basketball, but also love West Texas.
37:15
SPEAKER_01: And I love Steven and Tristan.
37:17
SPEAKER_00: So I'm extremely proud.
37:18
SPEAKER_00: I don't know where we go from here.
37:19
SPEAKER_00: I'm I'm thinking I'm just gonna sit back down.
37:21
SPEAKER_00: It's just not getting better than this.
37:24
SPEAKER_01: I just want to tell Steven and Tristan thanks for coming out.
37:27
SPEAKER_02: The energy uh was really, really good in there today.
37:30
SPEAKER_02: Uh we fed off of it.
37:31
SPEAKER_02: I think it goes back and forth tremendous.
37:34
SPEAKER_02: Uh great job, and um, you know, just just proud of our guys for the way they responded.