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Texas Tech football: Grading a near 600-yard performance | Red Raiders' report card
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- Texas Tech football: Grading a near 600-yard performance | Red Raiders' report card
Behren Morton threw four first-half touchdown passes and Tahj Brooks had a 100-yard rushing performance after missing the previous game for injury as the Texas Tech football team throttled North Texas 66-21 Saturday in the Red Raiders ' non-conference finale at Jones AT&T Stadium.
Morton's TD passes went for 10 yards to Josh Kelly , 70 yards to Coy Eakin, 45 yards to Johncarlos Miller and 10 yards to Jalin Conyers . The latter capped a stretch in which Tech (2-1) scored 49 points in 12 minutes, 44 seconds.
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Cornerback Bralyn Lux , linebacker Bryce Ramirez and safety Chapman Lewis intercepted UNT quarterback Chandler Morris in the second quarter, leading to 21 points. Lux stepped in front of a receiver and returned his interception 44 yards for a touchdown.
It was a rough return to Lubbock for former Tech player Eric Morris, who coaches UNT (2-1). The Red Raiders led 52-7 at halftime.
Related: Texas Tech football produces historic first half against North Texas
More: Texas Tech football Ring of Honor adds Wes Welker, Andre Tillman, Thomas Howard
Brooks, who missed a 37-16 loss at Washington State with an arm injury, returned to the starting lineup and carried 17 times for 109 yards and Tech's first touchdown, all in the first half. Morton completed 15 of 19 passes for 273 yards and also didn't play after the half, giving way to Cameran Brown and freshman Will Hammond.
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Freshman running backs J'Koby Williams (four carries, 27 yards) and Cameron Dickey (10 carries, 75 yards) scored from 3 yards and 1 yard on consecutive possessions, making it 66-14.
Here is the Red Raiders' report card.
Offense: A
Behren Morton and the receivers had their way with the UNT pass defense. Tahj Brooks topped 100 yards rushing playing only the first half, though run blocking was inconsistent.
Defense: A
Second-quarter interceptions by Bralyn Lux , Bryce Ramirez and Chapman Lewis led to three touchdowns, Lux's being a pick-six. A few breakdowns by the starters, but solid performance overall.
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Special teams: B
Not much to see here as neither team made or allowed any game-changing plays. Gino Garcia kicked a short field goal.
LUBBOCK, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 14: Jordan Brown #4 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders runs with the ball during the first half of the game against the North Texas Mean Green at Jones AT&T Stadium on September 14, 2024 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
Coaching: A
Can't say the Red Raiders weren't ready to play, coming off two lackluster performances. Yes, it was only North Texas, but Zach Kittley's offense showcased a variety of throws from Morton and nearly everything worked.
Overall: A
Scoring seven first-half touchdowns is a good way to quiet the discontent. The Red Raiders needed this kind of showing, especially with a surprising Arizona State at 3-0 coming into town for the Big 12 opener.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Grading a near 600-yard output by Texas Tech football | Report card
