Texas Tech football: Game balls for comeback win over Houston

Keith Patterson

No one has been a bigger target on this site than Kieth Patterson.  Numerous times over the past two seasons, I’ve called for the Texas Tech defensive coordinator to be fired and I’ve relentlessly pointed out his past failings when leading a Power 5 program’s defense.

But on Saturday night, his defense was terrific, especially after the first two Houston possessions. From the point that the Cougars went ahead 14-0, they would have the ball 11 more times (that is before the last possession of the game, which lasted a mere four plays before time expired) and they would score only seven points.

What most Texas Tech fans were inspired by was the fact that Tech seemingly made some legitimate halftime adjustments in this game.  While that aspect of coaching is vastly overrated given that there is not really enough time in the intermission to make sweeping changes to the game plan, the reality is that fans want to see improvements as the game wears on and if we don’t we blame the coaching staff.

Well, Tech certainly got better on defense as this contest progressed.  Houston would finish the game with only 53 yards of total offense in the second half and they would manage just three first downs along the way.

So what changed during this comeback?  First Tech started to get pressure on Houston QB Clayton Tune.  It was rare in the first half for Tune to have anyone within a quarter-mile of him as he delivered the ball and far too often, Patterson sent only three rushers at him.

But after the break, the pass rush picked up some steam and really began to make Tune uncomfortable.  And much of that had to do with the fact that Patterson ratcheted up the pressure and called a more aggressive game.

Also, the Red Raider secondary started to come together in the second half.  Remember that two of Houston’s three first-half TDs came as a result of blown coverages in the Red Raider defensive backfield.  That wasn’t all that shocking given that there were as many as three new transfers playing in the Tech secondary.

However, after the intermission, Tech was able to get its coverages straight and stop letting the U of H receivers run free.  That, when combined with the intense pressure from the line, helped the Red Raiders to four interceptions, three of which came in the second half.

So something Patterson said or did at the break worked wonders and that’s deserving of a game ball.  Though it feels strange to be praising Patterson after a big win, it’s certainly something I could get used to.