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Texas Tech Enters Bye Week 5-0, But 'Ugly' Offense Must Improve
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- Texas Tech Enters Bye Week 5-0, But 'Ugly' Offense Must Improve
(IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
LUBBOCK-- Texas Tech used four second-half interceptions to overcome a 7-3 halftime deficit and beat Colorado 29-7 in the Week 5 road contest Saturday night at altitude.
With an off weekend coming up, the Red Raiders have time to go back to the drawing board to settle their offensive woes early in games.
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But the No. 12-ranked team in the country can rest easy knowing it's undefeated at 5-0 with a home game up next on the schedule.
RECAP: Texas Tech Escapes Folsom Field with 29-7 Win After Takeaway Surge
The Buffaloes jumped in front with Isaac Wilson accurately leading Colorado to a touchdown drive on the first series of the game. From there, Tech's defense rose to the occasion with a fourth-down stop in the second quarter and turnovers in the second half that all ended in points for the Red Raiders.
Texas Tech's fourth takeaway was an interception returned for a touchdown ... though there was very little "returning." The team's third such play in the last two weeks saw John Curry intercept Wilson while standing in the Buffs' end zone as Colorado was backed up deep after a 60-yard punt to the 1-yard line.
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Offensively, it was more of the same for a Texas Tech group that came out of the gates flat.
"Some really ugly football at times," head coach Joey McGuire said in his postgame press conference. "I know we talk about, all the time, trying to fix bad football, and it was throughout the game. ... But, man, just finding a way to win the game."
After a field goal on their first possession, the Red Raiders wouldn't score again until another Stone Harrington kick in the third quarter, and a late touchdown to Terrance Carter Jr.
Curry's 0-yard pick-6 sealed a win, where the second-half defense helped the offensive issues early not impact the outcome.
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The fact that Tech has remained undefeated while trailing or being within one score at halftime of nearly every game is far from comfortable. To be frank, it's rather surprising, and not something you should bet on continuing if things go as they have.
This habit could eventually haunt the team widely claimed to be the clear-cut favorite to defend its Big 12 crown. That title is slipping with each slippery first half, and teams coming up will only look to improve their play as the Red Raiders are circled in red on their calendars.
Will Hammond remains shaky in offensive scheme
Third-year quarterback, but first-time starter, Will Hammond remains an interesting case in second-year coordinator Mack Leftwich's offense.
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Hammond, most importantly, did not turn the ball over against Colorado. But he was limited to his lowest passing-yard total of the season, throwing for 134 yards on 65 percent completion.
Hammond's decisiveness has improved slightly week after week, and his willingness to run on his recently-recovered torn right ACL has been steady. But more uncertainty around his accuracy has made things difficult for the young signal-caller to build confidence.
Texas Tech's offensive line has also simply not lived up to what you'd expect out of one of the most experienced units in college football.
The Red Raiders were unsuccessful on back-to-back 4th-down conversion attempts against Colorado, largely because the offensive line was beat at the line of scrimmage and run plays were stuffed before they had a chance.
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Typically in these spots, Tech would turn to backup QB and dual-threat transfer Thomas Castellanos , but his fifth-year restraining order was dissolved nearly 24 hours before kickoff. He was in street clothes on the sideline, and his status for the rest of the season is a mystery.
Furthermore, Texas Tech could have gotten a push from bulldozing rusher Cam Dickey, but he left the game in the second quarter with an injury.
Texas Tech misses Cam Dickey, whose x-rays come back negative
McGuire said his staff believes it is a high-ankle sprain for the veteran running back, whose x-rays came back negative for a fracture of his left ankle.
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McGuire explained at halftime that Tech would have likely gone to Dickey on either of their short-yardage fourth downs had he been available.
J'Koby Williams led Texas Tech in rushing with 88 yards on 17 carries. Williams added 26 yards on three receptions out of the backfield, too. He is among the few big-play threats on this team, but those plays are few and far between for him as an every-down rusher. That's also due to Quinten Joyner's presence in the offense, and the former USC transfer, playing in his debut season with Texas Tech, has not shown enough to be regularly relied upon.
Other injuries against Colorado included safety Brenden Jordan, after a tackle that seemed to jam his neck, and receiver Donte Lee, who subbed out with a knee injury.
"I think BJ will be back [soon]. He felt good afterwards. We were really cautious," McGuire said postgame. "Anytime you've got head or neck, you've got to be really cautious with those guys."
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Terrance Carter Jr. comes alive in much-needed spots
If Hammond and the offense are going to find any offensive consistency outside of establishing-style short targets, they will do so looking in the direction of Terrance Carter Jr., regarded as one of the best tight end prospects in the upcoming NFL Draft cycle.
Carter was dynamic in Saturday's win. His sliding touchdown grab in the third quarter gave the Red Raiders a large enough lead for the defense not to squander the rest of the way.
Entering Week 5 with just five catches in two games played, Carter, who has dealt with foot and shoulder injuries this season, looked to be in top form with a game-high eight receptions and 67 yards.
His contribution was crucial for Hammond, who only completed one pass to leading receiver Kenny Johnson and three passes total to experienced wideouts Coy Eakin and Micah Hudson.
