Texas Tech football: Hidden moments in the loss to Kansas State
Another avoidable penalty
Our third hidden moment doesn’t exactly fit perfectly into the “hidden” category because it is the play on which KSU QB Skylar Thompson was knocked out of the game. But the reason I include it is because, when I watched the game for a second time, I was reminded of how this play completely changed KSU’s second TD drive. Thus, to me, the situation surrounding the flag was what had been hidden from my memory.
We all remember that on this play, linebacker Riko Jeffers was flagged for targeting on Thompson as Jeffers lowered his helmet and left his feet to hit the passer. But don’t overlook the fact that this play came on the heels of K-State being assessed a holding penalty.
Thus, Jeffers’ personal foul served to bail Kansas State out of a 1st-and-20 hole. That was a huge turn of events on this drive, which would eventually end with a Deuce Vaughn 18-yard touchdown run.
It’s tough to fault Jeffers for hitting the QB. He was coming on the dead run and had a free shot on Thompson. Most players are going to take that opportunity and none are taught to let up in that situation as these types of plays are extremely bang-bang in nature.
But where Jeffers should have known better, being a senior, is in lowering his helmet and leaving his feet. Say what you will about the targeting rules in today’s game of football but they are not going anywhere and players as smart as Jeffers have to know not to take any chances.
This was an avoidable targeting foul. Sometimes a ball carrier slips or twists in a way that makes helmet-to-helmet contact unavoidable but that wasn’t the case here.
Rather, Jeffers saw the opportunity to inflict some damage on the KSU QB and he couldn’t deny his lust. He did get his money’s worth as he knocked Thompson out of action but he also took himself out of commission.
What’s more, he gave KSU a new set of downs after they had been backed up to a 1st-and-20. But what’s maddening is that, on the back end of the play, Brandon Randle was flagged for a pass interference meaning that even if Jeffers had shown restraint, KSU would have been bailed out anyway.
These are the types of plays that Tech simply isn’t talented enough to overcome. Jeffers is an excellent player and he’s one of the keys to the defense and without him, KSU was able to run the ball far more effectively than they have all season. Jeffers has to know better.