That Texas Tech, FIU game was crucial in how quickly the Red Raiders recovered after receiving a scare from SFA last week. Texas Tech’s 54-21 win wasn’t perfect. But the commitment and performance of the Red Raiders in front of their home crowd should give fans a good feeling about going into the conference game next week against rivals Texas Longhorns.
Slow start, verse 3
The Red Raiders’ slow starts will be an issue with the Big 12 game on the horizon. Against the Panthers, the first quarter played out like this:
- Defenses three-and-off
- Attack goes three-and-a-half
- FIU scored on a touchdown drive with nine games (7-0)
- Offense goes three-and-a-half
- Defenses three-and-off, muffs punt, FIU takes over
- Pick six from Marquis “Muddy” Waters (7-7)
- FIU drives back across the field, missing a 32-yard field goal
The offense looked out of sync and the team seemed as flat as it was a week ago against SFA.
Speed arrived in the second quarter
After the FIU missed the field goal, both sides of the ball began to play at speed. The Red Raider offensive would score a touchdown on four consecutive drives before half-time. Tyler Shough, who would end the game 26-35 for 399 yards and four touchdowns, had thrown a few deep balls with great touch and accuracy. If the Red Raiders are going to compete in the Big 12, it will be necessary to stretch the defense with deep shots.
It was also the first game that year where the ball was split among multiple receivers. A total of 11 different players received a pass from Shough. Kaylon Geiger, the Transfer Wide Receiver from Troy, leads all receivers with six receivers and 121 yards. Close end Travis Koontz would coincide with Geiger’s six receptions, and despite only having 53 yards, he had two touchdowns. Erik Ezukanam, who had run over 100 yards in the first two games of the season, saw his first goal of the game late in the first half. Ezukanam would finish the game 28 yards with three receptions.
Rushing Attack continues to flourish
The stormy attack was welcomed back SaRodorick Thompson back as he found the end zone for the first time this season. Tahj Brooks and Xaiver white still lead the frantic assault while Thompson is back to working in game shape. Brooks would finish with 47 yards on nine carries while White would add 36 yards on seven carries. In total, the Red Raiders would rush for a total of 175 yards. Offensive coordinator Sonny Cumbie should be confident about the hasty offensive all season long.
The defense was stifling for three quarters
The defense seemed to wake up after the pick-six and began to swarm around the field towards the end of the first quarter. That comes into play The defense knew they had to involve D’vonte Price in the backfield of the FIU. The price would be held at 51 yards at 15 carries. The early suppression of the hasty attack combined with the catching fire of the attack forced the FIU to abandon its hasty attack. The panther rushing offensive would end with only 47 yards as a team.
In the second half of its three games this year, Texas Tech dropped a total of 16 points. FIU quarterback Max Bortenschlager looked uncomfortable the whole game. He would finish the game 12-27 for 190 yards. Remove Texas Tech’s blown cover that resulted in a 69-yard touchdown pass, his numbers would be 11-26 for 121 yards and a touchdown.
Texas Tech, FIU Game completes first step to bowl game
After week three of college football season, Texas Tech is halfway to a bowl game. They had to have all of these three victories if they wanted to snap up their perennial bowless strip. Next week will be your first real chance to find out where this team stands in the Big 12 when it travels to Austin to battle the hated Longhorns.
