Last Saturday was like no other day for Plunk in his No. 31 jersey and Tech football career.
The all-time leading rusher in Tascosa football history was one of four captains making their way to mid-field for the coin flip before the Red Raiders crushing defeat of North Texas, 66-21.
“Being captain means a lot and it’s very exciting,” Plunk said shortly after the North Texas game. “A lot of hard work was put in. It’s such an honor and I really thank God.”
Plunk is in fifth-year and final year at Tech. The 5-11, 180-pound walk-on/college graduate is listed as the backup strong safety on the Tech depth chart.
Plunk learned he was going to be a captain the day before the North Texas game and received the good news from Texas Tech head football coach Joey McGuire.
“Coach McGuire texted me and said I have you for captain for this game and go lead the team,” Plunk said. “Like I said, it was very exciting. I feel very privileged to receive the honor.”
“Man, I’m so proud of that kid,” McGuire said. “Whenever I meet with the guys, he’s usually over there with me, and if Joseph feels good about the game plan, I feel good about the game plan.”
Plunk’s main duties over the past four seasons with the Red Raiders has been on special teams covering kickoffs and punts. He was one busy dude against North Texas.
With Tech tying the schools’ all-time modern-day record for points in a half at 52 against North Texas, Plunk covered nine kickoffs and five punts – in the first half.
Plunk’s style on the kickoff is to sprint until he reaches the goal-line, even on touchbacks where the ball goes out of the end zone and there is no return.
“It was a lot. I don’t think I’m in the best shape,” Plunk said and then smiled. “But we will get there. It was still exciting.”
Plunk also saw extended action on defense in the fourth quarter getting credit for two tackles as he played a position Tech coaches calls “star.” This means he was a safety heavy on run support.
McGuire loved what he saw out of Plunk and the two had a good laugh with each other on the sideline.
“You know, Joesph came in and makes some good plays,” McGuire said. “We were playing him at star, and he made a couple of tackles and was very physical. I was really proud of him.
“He got a little tired and took himself out. I was like ‘Bro, you play one way. You need to get back out there.’ He was laughing at me, ‘Coach, I’m tired I have to catch my breath.’ ”
McGuire said Plunk and a few his Tech teammates make coaching special because of what they give back to the team.
“Like I said, I’m so proud of that kid,” McGuire said. “I’m proud of a lot of those guys like that because they have graduated from college and they had a choice to go _ and, Joseph is going to be a great football coach – and start that part of his life and chose to come back. Chose to play this final year. Chose to make a difference in this team, and, man, he does every single day.”
“We are really excited about this win going into conference,” Plunk said. “Hopefully, we can keep this rolling. This game gave us a lot of confidence. We had to get some things fixed, a lot of minor details. It may look like a lot of things but really it was just tightening the screws and figuring some things out. And we did that against North Texas.”
Texas Tech and Plunk return to action Saturday hosting Arizona State in its Big 12 opener at 2:30 p.m. in Jones AT&T Stadium.