Tech's Slay racks up Big 12 nod
BY DON WILLIAMS
Throughout his senior season, Dwayne Slay stunned quarterbacks, running backs and receivers who ventured into his territory. In a pleasant development, Slay was the one who got stunned Wednesday.
Texas Tech's free safety, a first-year starter, was taken aback when told that he'd been named Big 12 Conference defensive player of the year by The Associated Press.
"Oh, wow. That's big time,'' Slay said. "It's a blessing and I'm happy for it, but the thing about it is, I can't get complacent about it. I have to stay humble and do what God's blessed me to do - that's come out day in and day out and help the team as much as I can.''
Slay didn't put up big ball-hawk numbers, but he didn't have to. He finished the regular season second in the Big 12 in tackles with 101 and caused eight fumbles, a figure that ranked second in the nation. Kliff Kingsbury in 2002 is the only other Red Raider to be named a Big 12 offensive or defensive player of the year.
The AP honors - unveiled over a three-day period - are chosen by a panel of 20 sportswriters in seven states who regularly cover Big 12 football. Texas's Mack Brown on Tuesday was named coach of the year. Texas quarterback Vince Young was a unanimous choice as offensive player of the year, and Slay beat out seven other vote-getters on the defensive side.
Oklahoma State freshman running back Mike Hamilton and Oklahoma junior defensive end C.J. Ah You were named newcomers of the year for offense and defense.
The AP all-Big 12 teams will be revealed today.
Slay didn't have to wait for acknowledgment.
"I'm really excited for Dwayne, because he's certainly deserving,'' said Carlos Mainord, who coaches the Tech safeties. "The guy has done everything he needs to do to be the best player that he can be. He's been a great guy to coach and a great guy to work with, and I think he's very deserving of the honor.''
Two decades ago, in a previous stint on the Tech staff, Mainord coached a secondary that ranked among the best in the nation at pass defense. As a group, they were physical players who called themselves "The Hammerheads.''
With Slay around, it's been "Hammerhead, the Next Generation.''
Whether it was making a violent hit or just homing in to put his helmet on the football, Slay changed the momentum of games more than once with his forced fumbles. The Raiders were involved in a tight game against Kansas State early in the second half, but Slay caused two fumbles in the third quarter that sparked Tech to a 59-20 blowout.
A tight game against Texas A&M changed at the start of the third quarter when Slay knocked the ball free from an Aggies running back. Tech took it in, scored and went on to win 56-17.
One of Slays hits, on K-State's Allan Evridge, was so chilling that even Tech players sounded as if they felt sorry for the Wildcats' quarterback.
"I was trying to get off a block and I heard a boom. Everybody was like 'oooohhh,' '' Tech linebacker Fletcher Session said in a hushed tone.
Oddly enough, Slay swears causing fumbles was never part of his reputation - at Reedley (Calif.) College or in high school at Brunswick, Ga.
"Not a one. Not a one,'' he said. "Never caused a fumble until this year. Seriously. It's strange. I got one and said, maybe I can get another. They just kept coming, and guys around me helped me out.''
To be the conference defensive player of the year was a remarkable leap. Last year, his first at Tech, Slay was a valuable player on special teams but a backup safety.
Neither he nor Mainord, though, acted surprised by his ascension.
"Not really,'' Slay said. "I believe the things that I did last year for the team were pretty big. Although it was special teams, whenever I got a chance to get in there, I made something happen.''
Mainord, who spent a decade in the NFL before returning to Tech in 2004, says Slay puts in the preparation behind the scenes that will give him a chance to succeed at the next level. It showed just in the past 12 months.
"He got his feet on the ground last year and picked up the system,'' Mainord said. "Then last spring, he had a great spring, and he put it all into effect this fall. The guy is a hard-working, dedicated player. It's a tribute to him, the way he works and the way he prepares and the way he approaches games.''
6'3" 215lbs. Runs a 4.4/4.5 40... I love the long arms and height for pass deffense.
