... Matt Wells had his offensive and defensive coordinators, his strength and conditioning coach and the majority of his staff essentially in place within a week of being hired by Texas Tech. Wells landed in Lubbock, attended a press conference, did some interviews and then immediately got to work implementing his plan for this football program.
I think you saw that turn-key coaching transition begin to pay off this afternoon, as the Red Raiders cruised to a lopsided victory over Montana State while other first-year coaches at Kansas and West Virginia struggled to put away FCS opponents.
... I think it speaks to the standard that Alan Bowman has set and the expectations that surround him that the true sophomore's performance is being viewed as pretty OK by a lot of folks. I don't necessarily disagree as there were some stretches there where the passing offense really seemed to bog down, but Bowman completed more than 75 percent of his passes and protected the football.
... This was the most fun I've had watching a Texas Tech defense in a long time. Statistically, the Red Raiders allowed more points and yards and generated fewer TFL and sacks today than they did last year against Lamar but it sure did feel like they were more disruptive overall. I'm really curious to see how they fare next week against UTEP and especially the week after that at Arizona.
... Broderick Washington, Jaylon Hutchings and Nick McCann were very noticeable today. Washington, in particular, feasted this afternoon.
... Jordyn Brooks is going to put up some big-time numbers this season.
... It took a quarter or so for the Red Raiders' run game to get going but the team finished with 255 rushing yards on 40 carries. It's been nearly four years since the team finished with a higher yards per carry average than it did today (6.4).
... If you look at the box score, Texas Tech's leading rusher (Armand Shyne, 125 yards) and most productive receiver (Xavier White, 107 yards) were players that Wells added to the roster. In all, 12 of Alan Bowman's 40 completions went to newcomers. JUCO addition Kosi Eldridge finished as the Red Raiders' third-leading tackler, Evan Rambo had the team's only sack and Zech McPhearson and Ja'Marcus Ingram accounted for two of the defense's four PBUs. It's probably too early to make any sort of big-picture call on what the newcomers' success means, but it has to reflect positively on this staff's ability to evaluate and recruit prospects.
... Texas Tech was only flagged four times for 29 yards this afternoon. The team had similar performances last year - including just three penalties in the win over TCU - but you knew those games were pleasant outliers. Who knows what will happen once the competition ramps up, but the Red Raiders looked composed and in-control throughout the entire four quarters. If that's the new normal, it will certainly be a welcome change.
... T.J. Vasher and Dalton Rigdon both caught six passes for about the same amount of yardage and they both logged an 18-yard reception as their long for the day. Statistically, they were pretty equal, but it sure felt like Rigdon's plays were louder and more visible than Vasher's.
... For all the concern about inside receiver when we all learned about Seth Collins' status at the beginning of preseason camp, I really like what the Red Raiders have at slot receiver. There may not be a Jakeem Grant or Keke Coutee at the top of the depth chart, but I'd guess there aren't many seasons in the last 20 where the H-receiver has been as strong 1-3 as it is this season.
I think you saw that turn-key coaching transition begin to pay off this afternoon, as the Red Raiders cruised to a lopsided victory over Montana State while other first-year coaches at Kansas and West Virginia struggled to put away FCS opponents.
... I think it speaks to the standard that Alan Bowman has set and the expectations that surround him that the true sophomore's performance is being viewed as pretty OK by a lot of folks. I don't necessarily disagree as there were some stretches there where the passing offense really seemed to bog down, but Bowman completed more than 75 percent of his passes and protected the football.
... This was the most fun I've had watching a Texas Tech defense in a long time. Statistically, the Red Raiders allowed more points and yards and generated fewer TFL and sacks today than they did last year against Lamar but it sure did feel like they were more disruptive overall. I'm really curious to see how they fare next week against UTEP and especially the week after that at Arizona.
... Broderick Washington, Jaylon Hutchings and Nick McCann were very noticeable today. Washington, in particular, feasted this afternoon.
... Jordyn Brooks is going to put up some big-time numbers this season.
... It took a quarter or so for the Red Raiders' run game to get going but the team finished with 255 rushing yards on 40 carries. It's been nearly four years since the team finished with a higher yards per carry average than it did today (6.4).
... If you look at the box score, Texas Tech's leading rusher (Armand Shyne, 125 yards) and most productive receiver (Xavier White, 107 yards) were players that Wells added to the roster. In all, 12 of Alan Bowman's 40 completions went to newcomers. JUCO addition Kosi Eldridge finished as the Red Raiders' third-leading tackler, Evan Rambo had the team's only sack and Zech McPhearson and Ja'Marcus Ingram accounted for two of the defense's four PBUs. It's probably too early to make any sort of big-picture call on what the newcomers' success means, but it has to reflect positively on this staff's ability to evaluate and recruit prospects.
... Texas Tech was only flagged four times for 29 yards this afternoon. The team had similar performances last year - including just three penalties in the win over TCU - but you knew those games were pleasant outliers. Who knows what will happen once the competition ramps up, but the Red Raiders looked composed and in-control throughout the entire four quarters. If that's the new normal, it will certainly be a welcome change.
... T.J. Vasher and Dalton Rigdon both caught six passes for about the same amount of yardage and they both logged an 18-yard reception as their long for the day. Statistically, they were pretty equal, but it sure felt like Rigdon's plays were louder and more visible than Vasher's.
... For all the concern about inside receiver when we all learned about Seth Collins' status at the beginning of preseason camp, I really like what the Red Raiders have at slot receiver. There may not be a Jakeem Grant or Keke Coutee at the top of the depth chart, but I'd guess there aren't many seasons in the last 20 where the H-receiver has been as strong 1-3 as it is this season.
