This post is going to be a little longer than usual. This is probably Kliff’s biggest win as a head coach so there’s a lot to say, and I really dislike OSU. The Lubbock Staking the Plains folks got together for some delicious home-cooking’, family time, and enjoying the game as fellow Red Raiders. I certainly wasn’t shy about reminding my compadres of my pick that our boys would leave Stillwater with a victory, but I’m sure we all celebrated just the same. Texas Tech hasn’t had a win over a ranked FBS opponent since the 2013 Holiday Bowl over Arizona State, Tech hasn’t won in Stillwater since 2001 when Kliff was the Red Raiders’ quarterback, Tech hasn’t beaten the Cowboys since 2008, Tech hasn’t beaten a Top 15 team since 2011. It’s nice to get a monkey like that off your back and get a conference win. But let’s also enjoy it, let’s enjoy the fact that those boys walked into an incredibly difficult place to play and owned that game. Let’s also remember, we’re not the team, we can enjoy this win until next weekend. We don’t need to flush it and get back to work, enjoy a good one Red Raider faithful. Live your best life, Alan Bowman certainly is.

I’ll just leave this one right here! #WreckEm pic.twitter.com/PI7IyqX42U

— Michael Strong (@stillstrongttu) September 23, 2018

Joker Slow Clap Award

Entire Texas Tech Defense

They have been much maligned and pounded on broadly by the talking heads. There was what is seeming more and more like an uncharacteristic performance against Ole Miss, shutting out Lamar grabbing three picks (including a pick-6) and getting no credit at all, and then giving up 49 points to Houston. Well, now they have a game to hang their hat on my friends. I agree with others in the local Lubbock media that this defense is better than the points allowed has shown. Against Houston they worked in concert with the offense, both capitalizing on the other’s successes. The defense had good open field tackles, opportunistic stops, and was really only exposed by a great receiving corps exploiting a depleted and young secondary.

This week they put some things together. The secondary was lights out with Damarcus Fields played some lockdown corner with beautiful plays on the ball. Jah’Shawn Johnson recorded 5 tackles, 1 sack, and 1 tackle for loss. It was really nice to see him lighting up the stat column in his first week back, he was sorely missed in the secondary. Cowboys’ quarterback Taylor Cornelius went 18/38 for 258 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception. That’s good enough for a quarterback rating of 50.1. Now he’s not great, but Tech’s defense deserves their due. The linebacking corps again led the way as the top two defenders were Jordyn Brooks and Dakota Allen. They combined for 12 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and a quarterback hurry. When looking back at the Oklahoma State schedule, the rushing game has been strong (especially if you remove South Alabama, who keyed in on the running game letting the passing game go wild) Oklahoma State’s running game was held to 128 yards on 24 carries. Justice Hill ran the ball 12 times for 111 yards for an average of 9.3 yards per carry. That’s 11.5 yards below his season average (without the Jaguars) and 35.5 yards below his average long. That’s not great, but considering how dynamic Hill has been this season it’s also not bad. Cornelius was also held to 0 yards rushing on the day while he has averaged 34 yards a game. Not to be ignored, Adrian Frye came up with a huge interception on an important third-quarter drive in which a score would have brought the Cowboys back to within 10 and potentially turned momentum. The play immediately prior, Frye broke up a pass intended for one-time five-star Texas Tech recruit Tyron Johnson as well.

I hope they take a ton of confidence from this game as well as the opportunity to learn lessons and improve this week as they head back home for a big test. In my opinion, the Big 12 should be scared of this defense, that’s why they’re getting the Joker treatment. As a side note, broadcasters should be scared too. Scared that they sound like idiots talking about Big 12 defenses and running games like it’s 2007. Now Tech’s defense isn’t the ’85 Bears or the ’76 Steelers, but they are improved and they’re giving a prolific Texas Tech offense opportunities not only to win but to put games away. Tech is #14 in the nation allowing only 27.9% of 3rd down conversions. There’s one fantastic stat from the game I’d like to end this with, the Texas Tech Red Raiders didn’t allow a point in the second half. Think about that, they shut ’em down. In fact, after a 13 yard Justice Hill touchdown run with 10:40 left in the 2nd, the Cowboys only crossed the 50 once after that point. They made it to the Tech 19 yard line, only to have a pass broken up by Riko Jeffers and miss a 36-yard field goal. The Cowboys didn’t even complete a single pass in the fourth quarter.

Field General Award

Alan Bowman, QB

This is Alan Bowman’s team, he is The Greatest Bowman (count it). I love gaudy numbers and breaking records as much as every Tech fan, but I’ll take leadership, good decision-making, low penalties, and balanced offense any day if it means a W over a ranked conference opponent on the road. It was a pleasure to watch this young man lead this team on Saturday. He’s getting better every week as he becomes more comfortable with the system. He spread the ball around well hitting 9 receivers en route to going 35/46 for 397 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions. I will make a note about his two picks. I’m not trying to be an apologist here, but the second interception was an exceptional defensive play. You’d prefer that Vasher hauls that one in, but the defender made an amazing play on the ball and a great falling catch off of the tip/bobble. When looking at the season Bowman now has handled 356 snaps without a fumble and has two interceptions in 179 passes, I will most definitely still take that. Bowman completed 76.1% of the passes against the Cowboys and has settled in now with a 72.1% season completion percentage. He has thrown 129/179 for 1557 yards, 10 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions. Bowman is in the top 15 in the nation in 7 statistical categories. It’s remarkable for a season with so many questions heading out of fall camp, an immediate injury, and an absolute tsunami of grumbling and armchair experts talking about Jett Duffey that we’ve suddenly seen the emergence of a potential superstar quarterback, kudos to Alan Bowman and the coaching staff.

Dang Bro! Award

Demarcus Felton, RB

Felton could have received practically any award, including Play of the Game. He was excellent, and now we’ve seen strong performances from basically every running back on the roster. Felton finished with 12 carries for 121 yards and 2 touchdowns. He hit holes with a burst we hadn’t seen from him before and as you can see below, his yards after contact were nothing to sneeze at either. As usual, the line deserves credit for effective run blocking, but Felton did plenty on his own as well. He led the way in what was ultimately a 224 yard rushing day, which would have been 250 if not for -26 on Bowman. At this point, there’s no telling who will lead the backfield week-to-week, but with Felton, Henry, and Thompson consistently contributing off the bench or starting and Ward and King sure to return at some point, Tech finds itself with an embarrassment of riches at running back. The rushing offense is currently ranked #56 in the nation, the 2017 season finished with a ranking of #93.

WOOOOOOO Award

Entire Texas Tech Team

Texas Tech committed 14 penalties for 139 yards against Lamar, that dropped to 9 for 82 yards against Houston, but this week was a B-E-A-utiful 3 penalties for 20 yards. YES! You did read that right. Please, please, please, let this be a trend. One nice change, we’re finally into Big 12 play, so we’ll see a little bit more consistency from the officiating crews. Those penalties were a 15-yard offensive pass interference for blocking downfield on Zach Austin and a false start. Alan Bowman was also called for intentional grounding on a sack but it was declined. This, THIS, is exactly how the Red Raiders need to be playing. They give themselves a much better chance to win when they’re not backing themselves up or gifting yards to the opposing offense. I know Texas Tech fans have pulled their hair out (as have coaches) for 20 years over a seeming inability to button up play and get rid of penalties. Generally, it comes down to focus and mental discipline, to keep your mind on doing your job and not getting sloppy. I go back to it all the time, but that comes down to building a culture of excellence with high expectations, let’s hope we keep seeing this.

Shining Star Award

Kliff Kingsbury, HC

When Kliff was hired I told my friends immediately that he was too young and inexperienced. I even looked up the numbers and noted that hot coaching names at that time like Kevin Sumlin, had around 20 years of coaching experience before landing an FBS head coaching job, especially at a P5 school, and I just didn’t think he was ready. That’s tough for me to admit, Kliff is my guy. He was the quarterback the first two years of my undergrad and I have some amazing football memories as a member of the Goin’Band. He also lived two houses down from my sister and worked out with her boyfriend (now husband). I knew who he was as a student-athlete and a leader, I knew what he was about, and while I was excited about his return, I was also very nervous. Kirby tried to warn the fan base that we’d need to grow up with Kliff as he learned to do what was required of him, but then two horrible things happened. 1. He went on a seven-game winning streak, and the fan base went bananas. 2. After a five-game losing skid, he led the team to a Holiday Bowl win over a ranked Arizona State team, falsely raising expectations again for an entire offseason. Those put us on a roller coaster, but I’m here to celebrate because I think the ride is about to smooth out.

Kliff has grown up my friends. This is NOT a “typical Tech” team. I know that thought was difficult to avoid after the Ole Miss game, but they are slowly but surely proving themselves on all sides of the ball. The arrival of Kevin Johns seems to have added a sorely-needed missing piece to this team. He installed run blocking schemes and has apparently improved the communication between the Kliff and the booth. It is obvious that Kliff’s play calling, game management, and clock management have improved dramatically. We’ve heard stories of strife between Kliff and Eric Morris, so maybe a change was all he needed to improve his game flow. Houston and now Oklahoma State have been two of the best-called games I can recall seeing from Kliff Kingsbury. Kevin Johns commented that he’s never seen anyone see so much of what’s happening from field level as Kliff, well maybe Johns’s perspective and experience has been the x-factor he needed. I’ve noticed three things in particular.

1. Texas Tech is #4 in the country in Opponent Average Time of Possession at 22:13. That’s remarkable, while still operating the #1 offense in the country, Texas Tech is also leading in ball control. Texas Tech out-possessed Oklahoma state 41:17 to 18:43, this is no small feat. Kliff’s new understanding of defense has led him to alter his game plan, he isn’t using the Mike Leach system of scoring too fast and throwing his tired defense to the wolves, he’s methodically moving the ball and chewing up clock. The Cowboys only possessed the ball for 6:12 in the entire second half. That means the Red Raiders held the ball in the second half longer than Oklahoma State had it the entire game.

2. Kliff is coaching. We saw it during the Lamar, Houston, and now Oklahoma State games. He’s going to Bowman and giving him perspective or getting in his ear when needed. He’s also gathering guys around him and firing them up, he’s focused on WINNING, not just offense. This says a lot to me about his personal growth as a coach and the comfort level he has leading a program of young men and coaches. This is also apparent to me in the offense’s ability to adjust to what the defense is giving them. Vasher and Wesley weren’t available for circus catches early in the game, so we saw Bowman hit Seth Collins, Ja’Deion High, and Zach Austin on the inside, and we continue to see the effectiveness of the running game with different guys stepping up each week. This is a sign of a mature team led by mature coaches. Adjusting to the defense rather than trying to force your strengths will lead to success and build strengths across the field at multiple positions.

3. The attention he’s paying to defense is real. Kliff was first on the scene when Damarcus Fields made a great play on a ball thrown to the sideline when Cornelius was standing in his own end zone (see picture below). He is celebrating defensive plays with his guys, which means a lot to a player to have attention from the head coach, but more importantly, the scheme is benefitting both sides of the ball, not just the offense. The ball control mentioned above is part of it. When your defense isn’t gassed from always being on the field they’re less likely to draw penalties and obviously more effective doing their jobs.

Welcome to the Party Award

Texas Tech Special Teams

Not only were Special Teams not a total liability this week, but they actually showed up in a big way. Dominic Panazzolo only punted twice, but he boomed one 45 yards, dropping it flat on the 1-yard line. It bounced straight up allowing an easy catch to pin the Cowboys deep in their own territory. Clayton Hatfield went 2/3 on field goals, the miss is obviously not exciting but he’s been perfect this year and it wasn’t some embarrassing shank. Coverage teams did well also, Chuba Hubbard only had two returns and they combined for 28 yards, with a long of 15. Tylan Wallace returned two punts for a total of 2 yards. Most notably, the punt coverage unit was all over a muffed catch by Oklahoma State, Riko Jeffers recovered possession for the Red Raiders which they then converted into a field goal to go up 34-17.

Deal With It Play of the Game Award

Alan Bowman, QB,

Another growth of Kliff’s this year has been in the overall quality of playcalling, both situationally appropriate calls as well as the complexity/inventiveness of plays used to exploit defensive holes, formations, and tendencies. In fact, if you watched the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday you may have noticed a couple of plays that may look oddly familiar to some things we saw in Stillwater Saturday. Notable among these have been Tech’s use of reverses in various situations. I noticed in an early game they used KeSean Carter on a couple of pitch sweeps and thought that was a good way to get his speed to the corner coming out of the backfield. The progression we’ve now seen is that Alan Bowman is exceptional at selling the fake. Whether it be a counter, draw, misdirection, or a reverse he really sells it well. Not that it’s the ultimate litmus test, but he faked out the cameraman multiple times. I chose the reverse touchdown by Carter as the play of the game for two reasons. One, I already gave Felton props for the great run, and two, I like plays that are indicative of growth and high-skill as a play writer, caller, and executor. The play completely froze the blitz in its tracks, and the offensive line again showed why they’re making big things happen this season.

Award

All Oklahoma State Cowboys

You people just need to stop, Stop, STOP, STAHHHHPPPP!! My goodness y’all, just come up with your own traditions. Make them coherent, consistent, and historically reasonable. Also, build a new stadium while you’re at it. It’s possibly my biggest college football pet peeve. We are forced to play Xerox U every year and hear a broadcast crew talk about them as if they have some kind of claim to the traditions they stole and implemented poorly 15 minutes before while pretending things had always been that way. I know this isn’t new, Pistol Pete was adopted back in the 1920s because they were the tigers, which they stole from Princeton. #shocker

1. Guns Up – 100% belongs to Texas Tech. We’re identified by it, we’ve used it since 1971, it’s part of our school and fight song, and you’re not good at it. Also, despite what movies tell you, 19th-century cowboys usually didn’t wear guns anyway. They got in the way of riding a horse, roping, and other cowboy activities.

I learned at Red Raider Camp that this is called “the claw.”

2. Just pick a logo already. This thing is hideous, I’m not even going to justify my opinion, it’s just not good. Also, cowboys aren’t sheriffs, they’re cowboys. Being a hodgepodge of Old West pop culture makes you look ridiculous, bolstered by the crazy paisley/cowboy/logo scrollwork you’re putting on the uniform too. Blegh

3. It’s 2018, just let go of all grey uniforms. Texas Tech learned quickly in 2013 that all grey is no bueno, you stole our traditions, might as well steal our lessons learned too right? No one wants to look at a bunch of sweat lines on light grey in HD.

4. Be more creative. Chris Level reported from the sideline that OSU fans were throwing water bottles onto the field when they didn’t get a call they liked. Seriously? Water bottles? I mean if you want to be jerk fans don’t throw stuff when you’re throwing a temper tantrum, throw it together in unison and make it something creative. But pro tip, cowboys didn’t eat tortillas so just get that idea out of your head now. Throw pinto beans, dutch oven biscuits, or hardtack.

5. You’re even copying our players too, and once again poor execution.

6. Build a new stadium. Seriously, that thing is ridiculous. It’s not awesome, your sidelines are a safety hazard. It’s like you built an outdoor basketball arena and decided to play football there instead. The building on top of an end zone was awful enough already, then you drop the ugliest jumbotron in college football on the front of it. Y’all need to seriously start talking about involving more people in your decision-making process. I can offer an improvement suggestion though:

.@CowboyFB I think I found yalls new 3rd down photo. #Wrecked #XeroxU pic.twitter.com/sWA9JqavfP

— Derrick Spencer (@DerrickSpencer_) September 23, 2018

Honorable Mentions

Adrian Frye, CB – Redshirt Freshman Adrian Frye continues to impress. He caught a pick-6 and another interception against Lamar in his first real action of the season. He was also instrumental in Vaughnte Dorsey’s interception in that game, having gotten a hand up and tipped the pass that Dorsey grabbed. On Saturday, Frye read Taylor Cornelius the whole way and jumped the route from coverage on an island down the sideline. It was a thing of beauty and something for Red Raider fans to get excited about not only for the rest of this season but for the remainder of his career at Texas Tech.

Ja’Deion High, WR – High finished as your #2 receiver on the day with 8 catches for 79 yards, that’s a 9.9-yard average. He made a great one-handed bobbling catch I believe for a first down early. He wasn’t showboating but showed good concentration and athleticism bringing it in. It’s nice to have him step up, especially as a safety valve option out of the slot.

Damarcus Fields, CB – I just feel comfortable with Fields, he plays his man tough and clean and he’s not afraid to swat balls down. He’s really owned his side of the field and improved the secondary in the process. He made some nice plays Saturday and finished with 4 tackles (2 solo) and 1 pass defended.

SaRodorick Thompson, RB – It’s a trap if Tech fans are thinking anyone can do what these running backs have been doing. There is an absolute stable of quality backs available to the Red Raiders this year. Thompson was the #2 rusher on Saturday with 15 carries for 66 yards and a touchdown. As always there are others that deserve credit, but when injuries have guys this far down the depth chart playing and getting quality yardage that’s something to applaud.

Back it Up Award

Red Raider Nation

Now you know I want us all to enjoy this, and to celebrate, but let’s learn from the lessons of the past. What did we as Red Raiders do in 2013 during that winning streak? We lost our minds with hope and expectations and got utterly disappointed. What did we do in 2008? Same thing. What was the difference? In 2008 Texas Tech really was good. The team was strong at most points, well-rounded, experienced, and exceptionally talented. They dropped the ball and played below their ability, crumbling under the pressure when they went to Oklahoma for the darkest of days. In 2013 we were excited to be overachieving. We were riding high with The King back in town, he was hotter than their coach, and we wanted the fairy tale to continue – then it didn’t. Let’s continue to be reasonable about what this team is and isn’t. Let’s remember that we have a true freshman quarterback, strengths at offensive line, linebacker, and running back. But we have weaknesses in the secondary, on the defensive line, special teams, and inexperienced wide receivers.

I know what you’re thinking, Keith the optimistic one is trying to temper expectations. Well, yes that’s exactly what I’m doing. I’m not saying we’re going to lose to West Virginia, but they will be our biggest test so far this season. What I want is for us as fans to be fair to this team. Not to scream for the coach’s head every time there is a negative play, not to throw our hands up in frustration and yell “Art Briles” in the stands (true story) at the first sign of adversity, and not to pretend the world is ending if we lose a game we never expected to win before the season began.

The Red Raider faithful are beginning to trust in this team’s ability to overcome adversity and perform under pressure. But with that can also come unfair expectations. There’s been a lot of talk about Texas Tech “turning the corner.” We discussed this in the 23 Personnel Instant Reaction Podcast. It’s so important not to get caught up in the moment of something positive and let expectations and visions of grandeur run away with us. Our team deserves better than that. Maybe this was a turning point for Kliff and this team. We may look back with hindsight and point to this as a huge moment, but for now, let’s keep it what it is. This is a great win over a ranked team on the road in the Big 12 opener. I will also argue that this is the biggest win of Kliff’s tenure as head coach, and if the team capitalizes on it we’ll look back and possibly see it as much much more.

For now, let’s enjoy it rather than trying to see into the future and building our expectations on a foundation of hope and conjecture.

Wreck ‘Em!!