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Texas Tech football: Positive developments from Oklahoma State loss

By Matthew Conner

Nov 28, 2020; Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys cornerback Christian Holmes (0) tries to bring down Texas Tech Red Raiders wide receiver Erik Ezukanma (13) during a football game at Boone Pickens Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Terry-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2020; Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys cornerback Christian Holmes (0) tries to bring down Texas Tech Red Raiders wide receiver Erik Ezukanma (13) during a football game at Boone Pickens Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Terry-USA TODAY Sports /
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STILLWATER, OK – NOVEMBER 28: Running back SaRodorick Thompson #4 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders breaks free for a 59-yard touchdown after slipping through the reach of safety Kolby Harvell-Peel #31 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the first quarter at Boone Pickens Stadium on November 28, 2020 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
STILLWATER, OK – NOVEMBER 28: Running back SaRodorick Thompson #4 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders breaks free for a 59-yard touchdown after slipping through the reach of safety Kolby Harvell-Peel #31 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the first quarter at Boone Pickens Stadium on November 28, 2020 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /

Running backs were explosive

This year, the Texas Tech running backs have been decent as a group but they have not taken over many games.  But you could say that’s what they did on Saturday.

Sophomore SaRodorick Thompson was at his best after being limited in recent weeks by a rib injury.  With 133 yards, he had the second-best output of his career behind the 153 he ran for last season at Baylor.

What’s more, he averaged an incredible 7.8 yards per carry.  That was the best of his career.

Thompson had a pair of first-half touchdowns.  In the first quarter, he broke free for 59 yards on 4th-and-1 to put Tech up 7-0.  Then, in the second quarter, he scored from 24 yards out to tie the game at 14.

Part of what made this performance from Thompson encouraging was that he looked the part of a workhorse.  His 17 carries were the most he’s had since the season’s first game and they marked the second-straight game in which he has had at least 13 rushes.  If there’s one question about Thompson so far, it’s been whether or not he can avoid the nagging bumps and bruises that have slowed him throughout his career.  When he’s been healthy, he’s been one of the Big 12’s best running backs as he showed again on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Xavier White also had one of his best days as a college running back.  The former inside receiver ran for 98 yards and a 70-yard TD.  It was his second-best rushing effort of the year after the 113 yards he ran for against Kansas State.

Both of these running backs will be part of next year’s corps along with true freshman Tahj Brooks.  So to see them explode against one of the better defensive teams in the Big 12 was a great sign.

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