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After taking the option pitch, DeAndre Washington saw Arkansas safety Rohan Gaines barreling down on him.
But as Washington made his cut to try to slip through, Texas Tech quarterback Patrick Mahomes flashed in front of him and laid Gaines out. Two plays later, the Red Raiders were in the end zone for their first touchdown, setting the tone for their stunning 35-24 victory in Fayetteville on Saturday.
“That (play) was huge,” Washington said. “When your quarterback, your leader, sacrifices his body like that and comes up with a big hit -- it really got us going.”
The clear-out block underscored the attitude Mahomes has brought to the Red Raiders, who are rolling again at 3-0 after a disappointing 4-8 record last season.
The sophomore from Whitehouse, Texas, who also plays baseball for Tech, ranks third in the country in total offense (1,029 passing yards, 129 rushing yards). He’s already been named Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week twice. And dating back to his second career start last season, Mahomes has thrown 23 touchdowns to just five picks over six games.
“He plays with a certain spirit, where (the players) never know what’s going to happen, where they think everything is possible, and we’ve got a chance in every game,” Texas Tech coach Kliff Kingsbury said. “You can see they’re inspired by some of the plays he makes. ... He’s unflappable.
“That has helped build confidence.”
But as Washington made his cut to try to slip through, Texas Tech quarterback Patrick Mahomes flashed in front of him and laid Gaines out. Two plays later, the Red Raiders were in the end zone for their first touchdown, setting the tone for their stunning 35-24 victory in Fayetteville on Saturday.
“That (play) was huge,” Washington said. “When your quarterback, your leader, sacrifices his body like that and comes up with a big hit -- it really got us going.”
The clear-out block underscored the attitude Mahomes has brought to the Red Raiders, who are rolling again at 3-0 after a disappointing 4-8 record last season.
The sophomore from Whitehouse, Texas, who also plays baseball for Tech, ranks third in the country in total offense (1,029 passing yards, 129 rushing yards). He’s already been named Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week twice. And dating back to his second career start last season, Mahomes has thrown 23 touchdowns to just five picks over six games.
“He plays with a certain spirit, where (the players) never know what’s going to happen, where they think everything is possible, and we’ve got a chance in every game,” Texas Tech coach Kliff Kingsbury said. “You can see they’re inspired by some of the plays he makes. ... He’s unflappable.
“That has helped build confidence.”
