Texas Tech football: Hidden moments that proved costly against UT

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LUBBOCK, TEXAS – SEPTEMBER 26: Joe Hefley and mascot Raider Red prepare to ride Hefley’s motorcycle across the field before the college football game between the Texas Tech Red Raiders and the Texas Longhorns on September 26, 2020 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /

No. 3: Tech first down wiped out by a holding

Later in the 3rd quarter, Tech appeared to pick up a first down on the ground. Down 38-28, running back Chadarius Townsend ran for four yards on 2nd-and-1.

But the play was called back because offensive tackle Ethan Carde was called for holding. It was a play where Carde was in a good position to make his block and he tried to do what all linemen are taught to do and sustain contact until the whistle.

However, as he did, the man he was blocking lost his footing and went to the ground. Thus, it appeared as if Carde had taken him down to the ground when in actuality, gravity and poor footing played a greater role in the defender’s demise than did any possible holding infraction.

However, Carde still drew the flag and it proved to be costly. Tech was unable o overcome this penalty and would have to settle for a 46-yard Trey Wolff field goal attempt, which went wide right. Again, in an overtime game, those lost three points loomed large.

Had the play stood, Tech would have had a 1st-and-10 at the UT 15-yard line. At that point, had Tech not gained another yard, Wolff would have had to try a 32-yard kick, which would have been much easier than the kick he had to attempt.

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