Texas Tech football: Turning points that doomed Red Raiders in Lawrence

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(Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

Tech has to settle for FG because it can’t pick up three yards on two plays in the red zone

The way the Red Raiders started the second half, it appeared as if they were determined to quell any KU hope of a comeback. But though they picked up 10 points on the first two drives of the 3rd quarter, they left four crucial points on the board at the end of the second possession.

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After moving the ball to the KU 17, the 12th play of the drive saw SaRodorick Thompson pickup seven yards. But then, the Red Raider ground game fizzled.

On 2nd down, Thompson gained just a yard and on 3rd he picked up none. Thus, Tech had to settle for just three points after having a 2nd-and-3 on the KU 10.

Of course, on the 3rd down carry, Thompson fumbled meaning that this could have easily been yet another empty red zone possession. Fortunately, guard Will Farrar pounced on the ball to ensure that Tech had at least three points to show for its longest drive of the game.

What was frustrating is that all night, and especially on this drive, Tech ran the ball as it wished against the worst run defense in the Big 12. On the 11 plays leading up to this 1st-and-10, Tech ran the ball rather efficiently but when the field shrank and KU could creep its safeties up towards the line the running lanes disappeared.

This was yet another example of why Tech lost this game. It’s most impressive drives were of the methodical variety, which is fine if they yield seven points. But too often, Tech had to settle for three points because it lacked the explosiveness to score easy TDs.

That wasn’t a problem for KU which had four TDs of 30 yards or more. The Jayhawks were able to make this game all about the red zone for their defense and that strategy worked just well enough because on more than one occasion, Tech was forced to leave four points behind after getting inside the 20.

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