This Oct. 8, 1985, Dirk West cartoon depicts a disastrous moment for Jerry Moore during his fifth and final year as Texas Tech coach. It was one Dirk never could have resisted spoofing.
Three days earlier, Texas A&M had emerged with a 28-27 victory over Tech in Lubbock after last-minute Red Raider confusion.
Tech halfback Bouvier Dale scored on a 9-yard touchdown run with 42 seconds left to bring Tech within a point. The overtime rule in college football was many years away, so the choice was to kick the extra point for a tie or go for the win with a two-point conversion.
Moore originally had intended to kick the PAT but abruptly changed his mind. However, the kicking team was already on the field, and there were no timeouts left.
Coaches frantically signaled the players, and the ball wasn't snapped, but Tech was penalized five yards for delay of game. With the ball now on the 8-yard-line, Moore surprisingly decided to go for the two-point conversion anyway. The clock was reset, there was no time for a huddle and the team lined up in the wrong formation. A pass fell incomplete, and Tech lost by a point.
Tech had beaten the Aggies in their three previous games, which explains the Aggie's comment. Moss was talking about A&M coach Jackie Sherrill, who was in his fourth year as Aggie coach.
Elsewhere, the Mustang referred to NCAA sanctions in place against SMU - and to the third-ranked Ponies' 28-6 loss at Arizona the previous Saturday.
