K – Jonathan Garibay
There’s no way to start handing out game balls in any other way than to give one to the hero of the day, Jonathan Garibay. Of course, he not only won the game for Tech by hitting the longest field goal in program history as time expired, but he also became a Texas Tech folk legend.
No, he won’t have his name on the side of the stadium in a few years and he won’t be a pillar of the program like a Michael Crabtree, a Kliff Kingsbury, or a Zach Thomas. But rather, he’s going to be one of those players who will forever be remembered for a singular unforgettable moment.
It’s similar to how Red Raider fans remember inside receiver Robert Johnson for his game-winning TD catch against Texas A&M in 2006. Likewise, former safety Dwayne Slay is remembered for one bone-rattling hit against Kansas State in 2005. That’s the type of company that Garibay will now keep after having his career-defining moment.
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But what he also did was likely put his name in strong consideration for the Lou Groza Award, given annually to the nation’s best kicker. Granted, his perfect 12-12 mark on the season doesn’t hurt but by drilling a dramatic game-winner from the other side of midfield he made people around the nation take notice, and now, Garibay must be squarely in the conversation for the Groza Award, an honor he was already a semifinalist for prior to Saturday.
Also, don’t discount the clutch 45-yard kick that Garibay drilled to end the first half. Without that important three-point swing, he would have been kicking for OT and not for the win at the end of the game.
So for being one of the nation’s best kickers and for being as clutch as any player in the Big 12 this week, Jonathan Garibay earns a fake game ball. But more importantly, he earned a place in Texas Tech football lore.