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Texas Tech Defense 'Eats' Despite Missing 2 Starters in Opener
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- Texas Tech Defense 'Eats' Despite Missing 2 Starters in Opener
(USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
LUBBOCK - It wouldn't have taken much for Texas Tech to mount a better defensive showing than what occurred the last time the Red Raiders hosted Abilene Christian.
Even while down two starters, the No. 12 Red Raiders managed a 33-10 win over the Wildcats on Saturday. It was a much less stressful outing than when ACU hung 51 points and took Tech into overtime in their 2024 visit to what is now known as Galaxy Stadium.
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READ MORE: Red Raiders Take Down ACU 33-10 with Conservative Offense
San Diego State transfer defensive end Trey White was out with a knee injury sustained in practice. After the game, head coach Joey McGuire said White would remain "week-to-week" as Tech turns its attention to the first road game of the year at Oregon State.
Starting safety Brenden Jordan was also unavailable for what McGuire described as a violation of team rules. Jordan will also be out for the game next week against the Beavers, but is in "good standing" with the program.
Jordan started in all 14 games last season, recording 59 total tackles and an interception as a junior.
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McGuire commended Malik Esquerra, Peyton Morgan and Maddox Quiller's work in the secondary filling in for Jordan.
"That's what's going to be really good, those guys will only get better as they get snaps," McGuire said.
Along the line, defensive end Jamond Mathis had what he described as one of the best games of his career after he rotated into White's spot at the DOG position.
Mathis led the team with six tackles and accounted for 2.5 sacks.
"We had a long talk about opportunities, so it's awesome, it's a testament to him," McGuire said about the senior Kent State transfer.
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While not the most talked-about player in his position group, Mathis maximized his time on the field.
"It's a testament to Jamond that he understands just go out and do you job [and] good things happen," McGuire added. "Whenever you take advantage like that, you get more snaps."
"I feel like my performance shows that I offer a lot for the future," Mathis said.
The Red Raiders were particularly successful stuffing the Wildcats' rushing attack, which only ran for 75 yards in the game. ACU's lone touchdown came late in the game on a 98-yard kickoff return.
The Wildcat offense very rarely moved the ball into Texas Tech territory.
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"Overall, what we did for this week also put me a step forward," Mathis added.
He shared the defensive line with fellow edge rusher Adam Trick and the tackle duo of AJ Holmes and Mateen Ibirogba. Highly-touted freshman LaDamion Guyton is also a member of that group, but he was inactive in the opener.
Mathis credits his production to feeding off the openings the offense gives him when it focuses elsewhere.
"It makes my game easier, easier for reads and things of that nature," he said.
READ MORE: Texas Tech Opens 2026 with Big 12 Repeat and CFP Expectations
"Overall, it's a brotherhood. One eat, we all eat," Mathis said about his teammates. "They push me even though obviously they aren't playing right now. They push me to be great just like I push them, as well.
"We all pushing each other to be the greatest we can be."
