MINNEAPOLIS — Matt Mooney leaned forward at his locker, his head pointed the same direction as his eyes. He kept apologizing, his voice the quietest of whispers, to his Texas Tech coaches, his teammates and their fans.
That was supposed to be the Red Raiders at the end of the national championship, at the climax of this strange and special season. That was supposed to be him, throwing the ball in the air in glorious celebration, donning the only T-shirt and hat he ever wanted, the gear players get when they win the season’s final game.