No frills. No week one scare like 2024. The new-look Texas Tech team did not leave any doubt against Arkansas Pine-Bluff. Both new coordinators have to be pleased with the business-like performance they saw from their respective units. In fact, the only thing that stopped Texas Tech was a 90-minute weather delay before starting the second half. Thanks to dominating performances on both sides of the ball, the Red Raiders win easily against the overmatched Golden Lions from Arkansas Pine-Bluff by the score of 67-7.
QB1 Injury Scare
The most significant development that came from this Red Raiders’ win was the health of quarterback Behren Morton. The veteran Texas Tech quarterback was kicking off his fourth season as the starting quarterback. Morton’s health has been an issue ever since he started for the Red Raiders. After he had an electric start and the game turned to the second quarter, Morton was blindsided by a blitzing defender. His right ankle seemed to buckle as he fell to the ground. Morton was taken to the locker room to be examined. While his official designation still isn’t known, he was seen jogging back onto the field before the first half ended.
Suffocating And Speedy Defense
Defensive coordinator Shield Wood was tasked with improving a defense that was one of the worst in the nation in 2024. It certainly helped that they received an influx of talent that will be on NFL draft boards in the spring. Wood never had to dial up any exotic blitz packages. He just let his elite talent shine in a base defense, as the game plan should have been. Pine-Bluff was held to just 52 total yards of offense in the first half.
Every time quarterback Christian Peters dropped back, there was either Skyler Gill-Howard or David Bailey, or another Red Raider defender in the backfield applying pressure. Overall, the biggest takeaway from watching this Red Raiders win was the speed at which the entire defense was playing. The defense would ultimately limit the Golden Lions to just 176 yards of total offense. Even the special teams unit contributed with a blocked punt in this one. If there is anything to be critical of, once the “2s and 3s” on the depth chart got in, they were getting pushed around a little by UAPB after the game was 61-0.
Offense Wasn’t Challenged
Much like the defense, new offensive coordinator Mack Leftwich did not need to dig deep into the playbook. The newly imported offensive line did an excellent job re-establishing the line of scrimmage in the run game. In total, the Red Raiders would rush for a total of 296 in this game. Cameron Dickey led the way with 12 carries for 90 yards and one touchdown. Both quarterbacks had plenty of time to make throws down the field. Before Morton left the game with his injury, he was 16-for-18 passing for 201 yards and four touchdowns. Will Hamond found plenty of success, going 7-for-10 passing for 92 yards and one touchdown. Hammond also added a 68-yard touchdown run.
Red Raiders Win Easily, What’s Next?
The prolonged weather delay necessitated a change to two eight-minute quarters in the second half. One might have argued it should have also included a running clock. But after getting out of week one with a convincing win, Texas Tech fans should expect more of the same next week. Another Red Raiders win should be on the horizon as Joey McGuire and company welcome Kent State. This was a team that was on a 21-game losing streak until Saturday. The Golden Flashes eked one out against FCS Merrimack by the score of 21-17.
Main Image: Michael C. Johnson-Imagn Images
