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Texas Tech football: Red Raiders that must step up vs. Mountaineers

By Matthew Conner

LUBBOCK, TEXAS - OCTOBER 19: Wide receiver T.J. Vasher #9 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders lines up during the first half of the college football game against the Iowa State Cyclones on October 19, 2019 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TEXAS - OCTOBER 19: Wide receiver T.J. Vasher #9 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders lines up during the first half of the college football game against the Iowa State Cyclones on October 19, 2019 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /
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TUCSON, ARIZONA – SEPTEMBER 14: Place kicker Austin McNamara #31 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders practices his kicks before the start of the NCAAF game against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium on September 14, 2019 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
TUCSON, ARIZONA – SEPTEMBER 14: Place kicker Austin McNamara #31 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders practices his kicks before the start of the NCAAF game against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium on September 14, 2019 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Wolff and McNamara must give Tech an edge in the kicking game

This game just feels like it is going to be tight throughout.  That’s because neither offense appears capable of simply blowing the doors off of another Big 12 team (except Kansas).

Thus, the kicking game could be of critical importance and that’s where the Red Raider specialists have to be at their best.

Let’s begin with placekicker Trey Wolff.  After making 20-22 FG attempts last season, the sophomore has gone 0-3 this season leading many to wonder if he has a case of the yips.

But today, when facing the nation’s top-ranked defense, he will likely be called on to make a kick or two and when he has a chance to put points on the board, he has to come through.  That’s because points are going to be tough enough to come by today and Tech can’t have the demoralization of coming up empty on drives when the offense actually does move the ball into scoring range.

Also, punter Austin McNamara has to be a weapon when it comes to field position.  Assuming that the offense won’t be able to just march all over the WVU defense, McNamara will be called upon at times this afternoon to flip the field and give Tech’s defense a shot by pinning the Mountaineers deep in their own territory.

Also, he has to make certain to continue to get the football away quickly.  Remember, he’s already had two punts blocked this year and Tech certainly doesn’t want to give the Mountaineers any short fields in this game.

It’s time for the Red Raiders to win the kicking game battle decidedly for once and doing so against one of the nation’s most stingy defenses would be a tremendous help.  So keep an eye on how Wolff and McNamara perform because their work today will be vital to any success Tech may have.

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