When we last met, Texas Tech soccer had a match in Austin against No. 14 Texas on Thursday night and then traveled to Waco for a match against Baylor yesterday. Texas Tech would end up winning the Texas game 2-1 with a literal last second goal, a header from Hannah Anderson off of a Macy Blackburn free kick. Texas Tech would end up beating Baylor 2-0 on Sunday behind 2 goals by Ashley Williams, assists by Macy Blackburn and Gisselle Kozarski. These ladies will be back home to host Oklahoma on Thursday night and Cincinnati on Sunday afternoon.

In volleyball, a lot of times the teams end up doubling up opponents on consecutive days so that you get two matches in. The first go-round with No. 17 Kansas on Friday nigh Texas Tech won 3-2, which is pretty amazing considering they lost the first two sets and had to battle back. On Saturday, Texas Tech would lose 3-0. These ladies will travel to Ft. Worth to play the Frogs on Thursday and Friday.

Lubbock Avalanche-Journal’s Don Williams writes that Texas Tech has been the disappointment of the Big 12 thus far this season:

Not that the offense isn’t culpable, because it is. For a unit with a lot of useful parts and guys who have played a lot, the Red Raiders lack a dynamic playmaker, that guy everyone knows is going to get the football. Tahj Brooks has done his part the past two weeks, running 19 times for 158 yards against Tarleton State and 25 for 149 against WVU.

The Red Raiders need more juice from the passing game, though, in part by fewer drops. Too many of those at key times. Those who felt sure Behren Morton is the answer to most of offense’s problems and will cover up for the rest received no affirmation Saturday. Coming in to replace the injured Tyler Shough, Morton completed only 13 of 37.

Now the McGuire mantra of having “the toughest, hardest-working, most competitive team” is being used sarcastically against him. So is this year’s new catchphrase, “60 minutes of us.” That’s supposed to involve everyone connected to the Red Raiders, coaches, players and fans alike.

Lubbock Avalanche-Journal’s Don Williams answered questions after the game, here is just one of them:

Q: Where is the explosive offense plays? No separation from wide receivers or quarterbacks not seeing the field?

DW: I think I have a more pertinent question regarding the explosive plays: Where are the receivers’ hands? This team’s had too many drops over the first month, and they seem to come at the worst times. It’s one thing if you’re playing a bunch of young, first-time starters. That’s not the case, though. Clean up that issue, and it would go a long way toward solving one problem.

As to the second question, receivers and quarterbacks both have been at fault at different times.

Regarding explosive plays, Tech has eight plays of 30 yards or more, tied for 67th out of 133 FBS teams. They had no such plays Saturday and dropped from tied for 40th. In plays of 20 yards or more, which is closer to what coaches define as explosive, the Red Raiders have 19 (three Saturday), tied for 63rd out of the 133.

Lubbock Avalanche-Journal’s Nathan Giese has 5 observations from Texas Tech’s loss to West Virginia:

The road remains a cruel mistress

Playing away from Jones AT&T Stadium has not been a good time for Texas Tech the past six years.

The Red Raiders entered the 2023 season having won just six of their previous 24 games on the road. They started off the year with a loss at Wyoming and are now 0-2 away from home with the setback at West Virginia.

The loss also makes Tech 0-2 in one-score games this year (decided by eight points or less). Last season, the Red Raiders were 4-0 in such games.