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Texas Tech football: Ground game could be key against West Virginia

By Matthew Conner

STILLWATER, OK - SEPTEMBER 22: Running back Demarcus Felton #2 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders scores a touchdown on a 17-yard touchdown up the middle against linebacker Kenneth Edison-McGruder #3 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the fourth quarter on September 22, 2018 at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
STILLWATER, OK - SEPTEMBER 22: Running back Demarcus Felton #2 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders scores a touchdown on a 17-yard touchdown up the middle against linebacker Kenneth Edison-McGruder #3 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the fourth quarter on September 22, 2018 at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /
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Against Oklahoma State, the Texas Tech football team used a dominating ground game to control the clock and that could be a recipe for success again this week against West Virginia.

Texas Tech has not been known as a running team since the Spike Dykes era when running backs like Byron Hanspard and Bam Morris were the focal point of the offense. But if last week’s win over Oklahoma State is any indication, the ground game could in 2018 once again be the key to the offense.

In Stillwater, the Red Raiders ground out 224 yards rushing on 46 carries (4.9 yards per rush) and three touchdowns.  That output was 92 yards game more than Kliff Kingsbury’s offense had averaged in its first two games against FBS teams this year taking many by surprise.

And given the fact that the Red Raiders were without their top two running backs, Da’Leon Ward and Tre King, the ground game domination of the Cowboys was both shocking and impressive.

The only three running backs to see the field las week were senior Demarcus Felton, who began the season fifth on the depth chart and two true freshmen, Ta’Zhawn Henry and Sa’Rodorick Thompson. And yet, all three were productive as each ran for at least 57 yards and averaged at least 4.4 yards per carry behind the veteran Red Raider offensive line.

That type of performance needs to become the norm for the Red Raider offense in Big 12 play, especially this week against West Virginia.  The Mountaineers enter the game with arguably the best quarterback and group of receivers in the country, making it vital to keep them on the sidelines as much as possible.

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The Mountaineers rank 8th in the nation in total offense putting up 545.3 yards per game.  Behind star QB Will Grier and his two favorite receivers, David Sills and Marcus Simms, WVU is third in the nation with 373.7 yards per game through the air.

Of course, those numbers are similar to what Oklahoma State was averaging prior to Saturday when Texas Tech held the Cowboys to just 17 points and 386 total yards of offense.  Therefore, it would seem logical for the Red Raiders to try to utilize the same formula this week that was so successful in Stillwater.

Thanks to a balanced attack that have a perfect 50-50 split between rushes and passes, Tech dominated the time of possession last week keeping the ball for 41:17 compared to OSU’s 18:43.  But can they repeat that performance against West Virginia?

Statistically, West Virginia has a very good defense.  At No.18 overall in the nation, the Mountaineers are allowing just 304 yards per game.  Their 118.6 yards per game allowed on the ground are good for 32nd overall and the most yards they have surrendered to an opponent this year is 136.  WVU’s 3.24 yards per carry allowed is impressive but is worse than the 2.2 OSU was allowing prior to seeing Texas Tech.

While West Virginia’s defense looks tough on paper, keep in mind that all three teams it has faced this year (Tennessee, Youngstown State and Kansas State) are putrid offensively, which certainly can’t be said of the Red Raiders.

West Virginia lacks depth on defense thanks to some key injuries including the loss of linebacker Charlie Benton for the season in week one.  Therefore, it will be interesting to see if Texas Tech can wear down the Mountaineer defense as it did to the Houston and OSU defenses in the second half of the past two games.

Though the Red Raiders may be running the ball more, the offense continues to play at a tempo that takes its toll on defenses.  So far, Tech is averaging an unthinkable 97 plays per game, second-most in the country and regardless of the fact that a higher percentage of those plays than has been accustomed have been running plays, Kliff Kingsbury continues to wear defenses down.

light. Related Story. Is Kingsbury still on the hot seat?

Tuesday, it was reported that sophomore receiver T.J. Vasher is doubtful to play Saturday due to a sprained knee.  If the Red Raiders are without their most talented pass catcher, look for the ground game to be even more of an emphasis.  But regardless of the team’s health, Texas Tech’s best chance to knock off West Virginia might be to continue going retro with the offense and leaning heavily on the running game.

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