Wreck'Em Red
Fansided

Texas Tech football: Why turnovers are not paying off for Red Raiders in 2019

By Matthew Conner

TUCSON, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 14: Defensive back Douglas Coleman III #3 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders intercepts a pass from the Arizona Wildcats during the first half of the NCAAF game at Arizona Stadium on September 14, 2019 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
TUCSON, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 14: Defensive back Douglas Coleman III #3 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders intercepts a pass from the Arizona Wildcats during the first half of the NCAAF game at Arizona Stadium on September 14, 2019 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 6
Next
(Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
(Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /

Texas Tech doesn’t score after its only takeaway versus Iowa State

Against Iowa State, the Red Raiders had a golden opportunity to put pressure on the Cyclones after a 4th quarter gift.  We broke this exchange down in detail in our turning points feature on Tuesday.   If you missed that, give it a look because there were some huge opportunities for Tech to keep this drive alive.

More from Wreck'Em Red

Trailing 27-17 in the fourth quarter, Fields picked off a Brock Purdy pass and Tech was in business at the ISU 37.  Any score would have made it a one-possession game with the majority of the final period to play and what was left of the home crowd would have become a factor.

But after reaching just the ISU 24, Tech had to try a 42-yard FG, which was just an eyelash right.  It was only the second miss of the year for Trey Wolff.  Both have come after Red Raider takeaways.

On this drive, Tech went just 13 yards in six plays.  What was frustrating is that there was never any attempt to hit a big play.

Often, teams like to try to capitalize on takeaways by attacking the opposition with a quick-strike early in the possession, especially on the plus side of the field.  That’s not what OC David Yost did as Tech threw two wide receiver screens in the first three plays.

It looked like Duffey and Vasher tried to hit an improvised big play on the third-down play prior to the FG attempt.   As Vasher broke open on a square-in, Duffey gave him a shoulder fake as if telling him to take off deep.  That’s what Vasher did but for some reason, Duffey threw the ball to the spot his receiver had just vacated right at the moment Vasher turned upfield.  It was a confusing play that shows just how little time Duffey and his receivers have spent working together in actual game situations.

So to break things down for the season, Tech has had 13 drives after taking the ball away.  Two have ended with missed field goals, three have been thwarted by Red Raider interceptions, four ended with successful field goals, two ended when the half expired and only twice has Tech scored a touchdown.  In addition, on three Red Raider INT returns, Tech has been assessed a personal foul.

Next. Tech has interesting 2020 football schedule. dark

As you can see, there’s more than one reason for Tech’s struggles after gaining a turnover.  But they could all be helped by more discipline and leadership from the players on the roster.  However, Red Raider fans have been waiting for this program to exhibit some maturity for what feels like eons.

Home/Texas Tech Football