Jacob Rodriguez rewards adoring Texas Tech footballs fans with more Heisman-worthy moments

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Fans are usually supposed to be quiet as a church mouse when the home team’s offense takes the field.

That becomes much more difficult when the team’s star linebacker lines up at quarterback in the red zone.

Jacob Rodriguez has done plenty throughout his time with the Texas Tech football team, but even a fifth-year veteran has a few firsts left in him. A two-way star at Wichita Falls Rider High School in his heyday, Rodriguez got to turn back the clock for the Red Raiders‘ second touchdown of their 48-9 win over UCF.

Lined up at quarterback, Rodriguez took the snap and ran through the hole for the 2-yard touchdown. He later added an interception on defense and began the day to thunderous cheers as he was introduced for Tech’s senior day ceremonies.

All in a day’s work for one of the top defensive players in the nation.

“I was just trying to get the cadence right,” Rodriguez said of his touchdown. “On offense I thought it was supposed to be quiet and then the crowd *erupts* so I’m just trying to make sure I’m loud enough to get the snap off.

“I mean, Skyler Gill-Howard could’ve brought his scooter throught that hole. It was awesome. The whole line cleared it for us and it was great.”

Texas Tech has been campaigning for Rodriguez to get some more recognition from Heisman voters, and their intetions are justified. While the Red Raiders made big moves in the transfer portal to bolster its defense, it all started with Rodriguez announcing his return to the team in December rather than declare for the NFL Draft.

Each of the other seniors who were recognized before the game simply went out to the field, took pictures with head coach Joey McGuire and his wife, Debbie, in their gameday attire, sans helmet. Rodriguez made sure to add his own touch to his look, donning his signature cowboy hat, which he held high in the air as the Jones AT&T Stadium crowd rained down cheers of appreciation for their defensive stalwart.

“Everybody’s out there in the stands with cowboy hats and mustaches,” Rodriguez said, “so I thought the least I could do is appreciate them by wearing a hat.”

Rodriguez’s teammates and coaches surely appreciate what he’s done for the team this season. McGuire got visible choked up at the sight of Rodriguez before their photo op. His wife, Emma, was overcome with tears as Rodriguez approached his family for what could be the final time on that field.

After Rodriguez came up with an interception in the second quarter, fellow seniors Behren Morton and Reggie Virgil connected on a touchdown (Virgil’s third of the day) to pay it off. On the sideline, Morton did the Heisman pose for Rodriguez, the two West Texas kids who helped get the Red Raiders to this position having a bit of fun with the experience.

Rodriguez was asked postgame, should he get to New York for the Heisman ceremony, if he would again don the cowboy hat. As the rest of the team has said about the potential Big 12 Championship game and a spot in the College Football Playoff, Rodriguez hasn’t thought far enough ahead to plan anything like that.

This season, Rodriguez said, isn’t about him.

“There’s so many guys in that locker room that you care about so much that they’ve poured into this university and this team,” Rodriguez said. “My mind is going to work with those guys. When that moment comes, if I’m fortunate enough to be in that position, I’ll have some decisions to make for that, but right now, we’re trying to do our best.”

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Jacob Rodriguez focused on Texas Tech football’s season, not Heisman

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