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Texas Tech football blows 17-point lead and other takeaways from loss to TCU
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- Texas Tech football blows 17-point lead and other takeaways from loss to TCU
The Texas Tech football team appeared well on its way to a big road win before the TCU Horned Frogs stormed back from a 17-point deficit to win 35-34 on Saturday in Amon G. Carter Stadium at Fort Worth.
The Red Raiders (5-3, 3-2) held a 31-14 lead late in the third quarter thanks to 28 unanswered points. However, the defense gave up three touchdowns the rest of the way, two in the fourth quarter to seal Tech's fate.
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Will Hammond replaced Behren Morton at quarterback in the second half and played well but fumbled the ball away late in the fourth with Tech looking to set up the go-ahead field goal. Tech had one final possession but couldn't get into range for a successful try.
Texas Tech Red Raiders wide receiver Caleb Douglas (5) catches a pass against TCU Horned Frogs cornerback LaMareon James (6) in the second quarter at Amon G. Carter Stadium.
Texas Tech football defense dominates second quarter
The Red Raiders seemed lifeless after the first quarter but the defense came through in a big way. A strip-sack and recovery by Harvey Dyson III, an interception by C.J. Baskerville and forcing a turnover on downs turned a 14-3 deficit into a 17-14 lead at the break.
In the second quarter, the Horned Frogs ran 19 plays for a total of 36 yards, resulting in those three turnovers (two of the live-ball variety), a pair of punts and the end of the half.
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Plenty of injury activity for Texas Tech
Behren Morton was sacked late in the first half and did not return to the game. In his place was true freshman Will Hammond , who led the Red Raiders to touchdowns on his first two drives of the second half.
Tahj Brooks also briefly left the game in the second half, giving freshman J'Koby Williams a few carries. Brooks did eventually return and rushed for a first down shortly after. Receiver Coy Eakin also came up hobbled after a catch-and-run in the fourth.
Caleb Douglas continues to shine
Regardless of which quarterback was in, Caleb Douglas has become a favorite target. Through three quarters of play, he had nine catches on 12 targets for 144 yards. Nobody else had more than six targets (Josh Kelly) in that span.
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Defense crumbles yet again
Texas Tech held a 31-14 lead with 6:33 left in the third quarter. The defense, which had played well, wasn't able to make it stick TCU regained the advantage with 5:10 left on an 84-yard touchdown pass-and-catch from Josh Hoover to Eric McAlister.
Unsustainable start to season
Thinking Texas Tech was going to become a Big 12 contender after a 5-1 start to the season was foolhardy, but now the Red Raiders are in grave danger of the second half of the season becoming even more of a problem. For now, the focus is on the health of Morton.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: What stood out in Texas Tech football's loss to TCU
