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Texas Tech football: Players that the Red Raiders need more from in game two

By Matthew Conner

LUBBOCK, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 12: Wide receiver Erik Ezukanma #13 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders walks along the sideline during warmups before the college football game against the Houston Baptist Huskies on September 12, 2020 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 12: Wide receiver Erik Ezukanma #13 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders walks along the sideline during warmups before the college football game against the Houston Baptist Huskies on September 12, 2020 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /
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Wide receiver Erik Ezukanma #13 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders walks along the sideline during warmups before the college football game against the Houston Baptist Huskies on September 12, 2020 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
Wide receiver Erik Ezukanma #13 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders walks along the sideline during warmups before the college football game against the Houston Baptist Huskies on September 12, 2020 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /

Erik Ezukanma needs to look the part of a lead receiver

We all expect big numbers from redshirt sophomore WR Erik Ezukanma in 2020 and, of course, there is still time for him to have a breakout season.  But while he was decent against Houston Baptist, he needs to look more like a lead receiver against Texas.

In week one, the Fort Worth native had 66 yards and a TD on four receptions.  That was an average of 16.5 yards per catch.

While those numbers are acceptable, they are a bit misleading.  That’s because over half of his yards came on on a 37-yard grab in the first quarter.  Take away that play and he averaged just nine yards a catch.

Tech needs either Ezukanma or senior T.J. Vasher to be an alpha male at outside receiver this year in order for the offense to be at its best.  That didn’t happen against Houston Baptist (Vasher was also decent but not dominant with eight catches for 79 yards) as the HBU receivers outshone those of the Red Raiders.

We all believe that Tech’s only hope of beating Texas is to win a shootout given how suspect the Tech secondary is.  Thus, both Ezukanma and Vasher will likely be required to take their games to another level.

But most especially will that be the case for Ezukanma, who needs to have more than four catches in week two.  That’s essentially the number of grabs he averaged per outing last year (3.8 to be precise) and this offense needs him to be more of a factor in 2020.

Last year against the Longhorns, Ezukanma had his only 100-yard game with 135 yards and a TD on 7 grabs.  That’s the type of effort Tech will need from him in week two if an upset is to be in store.

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