Texas Tech Football Fans Justified In Anger Over Tuberville On Broadcast

Texas Tech and Houston are at halftime with Tech leading 13-10. Here are a few observations from the first half.

Penalties and Mistakes Have Been Costly

Mistakes have cost the Red Raiders dearly. On the offense’s first drive Cam Batson had a false start to turn a short 3rd down into a 3rd-and-long which Tech could not convert. Tech had to settle for a field goal.

Derrick Willies also dropped a sure-fire touchdown pass in the end zone later in the first half making Tech kick another field goal. Dylan Cantrell was called for holding on that drive as well (though it was a very questionable call) in the red zone.

Another big penalty came on one of the game’s most pivotal plays. Defensive end Eli Howard was called for a block in the back on a fumble return that he caused. On the next play, Nic Shimonek was picked off on a deflected pass.

Had Howard not been called for the needless penalty, Tech would have had the ball at the Houston 9. Instead, Houston was able to immediately flip momentum back to their side and cost Tech points.

On the ensuing drive, Houston scored a touchdown so Howard’s penalty was likely a 14-point swing.

Dakota Allen Has Come Up Big

The former “Last Chance U” star is making the most of his so-called last chance with Texas Tech. This year, Allen has arguably been the best Texas Tech defender and that certainly is the case today.

He came up with an interception on Houston’s first drive. That play led to a Texas Tech field goal to open the scoring.

But, it also helped set the tone for the defense. Just like in the season opener against Eastern Washington, Tech’s defense was able to make an early statement by forcing a turnover on the opponent’s opening drive.

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In addition to the pick, Allen also forced an incompletion on third down when he blitzed Kyle Allen and put pressure on the UH QB. So far, he’s been a difference-maker for David Gibbs’ defense.

Special Teams Give Houston Life

John Leday’s 47-yard kickoff return following Tech’s first touchdown seemed to breathe life into a groggy and stunned UH team. The Cougars took the ball and easily marched into Texas Tech territory showing tempo and energy that had been lacking.

The resulting drive led to a 45-yard field goal to get Houston on the board. Until that drive, Houston had shown no ability to sustain a drive so they needed a spark such as a big kickoff return.

Leday is one of the most explosive threats the Cougars have. He is averaging almost 50 yards per kickoff return this year.

Texas Tech narrowly avoided another special teams disaster when Cam Batson muffed a 1st quarter punt. Fortunately, he was able to pounce on the ball to retain possession.

The first half ended with another special teams mistake as freshman kicker Michael Ewton missed a short field goal on the last play of the half. That took three points off the board and maybe more importantly gave Houston momentum headed into the locker room.

Texas Tech Defense Forcing Turnovers

David Gibbs’ defense is finally taking the ball away like he has wanted for three years. Tech forced three turnovers in the first half.

Dakota Allen had a pick on the first drive of the game. Eli Howard had a sack and forced fumble which was recovered by Tony Jones. Jones also recovered a fumbled snap just before halftime.

This is a great sign for the Texas Tech defense today and moving forward this year.

However, Tech has not made the most of these takeaways. None of them led to touchdowns and Howard’s forced fumble was negated by a Shimonek interception on the next play.

It is great that Tech has taken the ball away but the Red Raiders need more than just three points off of three turnovers.

Shimonek Has Been Shaky

Texas Tech quarterback Nic Shimonek is facing his first real adversity of the season. The UH pass rush has caused him to get happy feet in the pocket on numerous occasions.

As a result, he has been far less accurate than we’ve come to expect, especially on throws down field. His interception was a ball that should have been caught but it was by no means on target as Willies had to stretch out for it.

It appears that Shimonek is being confused by the multiple looks and blitzes Houston is bringing and he is not as confident with where he wants to throw the ball. He is holding on to the ball longer than Kliff Kingsbury would like as it appears his first read is frequently covered.

Next: Game Plan: How Texas Tech Needs To Attach Houston

It will be interesting to see what adjustments Kingsbury makes to help Shimonek in the second half. Unfortunately, Kingsbury has not been known for making strong half-time adjustments during his time at Texas Tech.

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Texas Tech Football: First Half Analysis

By Matthew Conner | Sep 23, 2017