Texas Tech left the field with a win over Oregon State, but the performance came with plenty to chew on. The Red Raiders showed enough to get by, yet the game also exposed a handful of issues that could matter a lot more once the schedule gets tougher.
The biggest concern remains the offense’s uneven start. Texas Tech has not come out and taken control early, and that showed again against the Beavers.
At the end of the first quarter, with the game still 0-0, Oregon State had three more first downs than Texas Tech and had already outgained the Red Raiders through the air and on the ground. Texas Tech managed only three first downs, 36 passing yards and 11 rushing yards before the second quarter began.
The Red Raiders did settle in after that. They scored two rushing touchdowns in the second quarter and took over the time of possession battle, then went into halftime having out-rushed Oregon State.
But even with that surge, the numbers still told a mixed story. By the time the third quarter started, Oregon State still had 42 more total yards and more than 70 more passing yards than Texas Tech, and the Red Raiders were only ahead by a touchdown.
Protection up front is another area that needs attention. Texas Tech did not get a passing touchdown until the second quarter, and the offense has had to work through pressure that keeps disrupting the timing of the passing game and the play-action package.
Will Hammond threw for one touchdown and 189 yards, while Thomas Castellanos accounted for two touchdowns, one rushing and one passing. Texas Tech’s next opponent, Houston, was able to throw for 305 yards against Oregon State, which makes the Red Raiders’ pass protection issues even harder to ignore.
The Beavers finished with four sacks and six tackles for loss.
The defense also gave up too many big plays. Oregon State found space repeatedly in the secondary, and freshman wide receiver Jesse Legree was the headliner with eight catches for 240 yards and two touchdowns.
The Beavers had four players with at least four receptions, piled up 417 passing yards, and scored all three of their touchdowns through the air. That kind of production is a warning sign with Houston and senior quarterback Conner Weigman next on the list.
Texas Tech’s ground game was productive in spots, but not consistently enough to feel like a real anchor. The Red Raiders did not reach 200 rushing yards, even though three of their five touchdowns came on the ground.
J'Koby Williams turned in the best day of the bunch, running for 116 yards on 20 carries with a touchdown. Quinten Joyner and Cameron Dickey, though, combined for just 46 yards on 15 carries.
Then there were the penalties. Seven flags for 70 yards is the kind of self-inflicted damage that can swing a tight game, especially when pre-snap mistakes, holding calls and defensive infractions keep cutting into momentum. Those are the kinds of errors that can turn a manageable afternoon into a loss once conference play starts to bite.
In Other News...
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The broader debate now is whether that early placement is a fair read on where Texas Tech really stands, or just the kind of September snapshot that can change fast once conference games start piling up. The rankings also map out where the rest of the Big 12 sits heading into the next stretch, which makes the Red Raiders' rise more interesting because it comes with the usual question attached: how long can the momentum last once the race gets real? [Read more 🡒]
Texas Tech Pass Rush Is Turning Every Sack Into Something Bigger
Texas Techs defense kept the pressure on in the 35-24 win at Oregon State, and the sacks came with a little extra meaning attached. The Red Raiders recorded two more quarterback takedowns, pushing their season total to five through two games, and each one continues to feed into Texas Tech Athletics ongoing partnership with Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Southwest.
The Quarterback S.A.C.K. program turns every sack into a fundraiser for families who are receiving medical care support, giving the pass rush a purpose beyond the box score. Fans can still contribute, and with the defense already showing an ability to get after the quarterback early this season, there is a chance that the impact keeps growing well beyond the field. [Read more 🡒]