Texas Tech football: Game balls for comeback win over Houston

3 of 4

Sep 4, 2021; Houston, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders players helmets are lined up on the sideline during practice before the game against the Houston Cougars at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

Tahj Brooks

One of the most famous mantras in sports is that of “next man up”. That certainly applied to the position sophomore running back Tahj Brooks was in on Saturday with the team’s top running back SaRodorick Thompson unable to play after offseason shoulder surgery.

The Manor, Texas native was spectacular on the night rushing for 134 yards and two TDs on just 15 carries. And he showed a tremendous ability to make the big plays, which is not necessarily what he’s known for.

At 5-foot-10, 220 pounds, Brooks is known more as a bruising back who can pick up the tough yards in the middle of the defense. But on Saturday, be broke off two 40-plus-yard TDs, one to open Tech’s scoring and one to close the game out.

Prior to this game, Brooks’ top performance as a Red Raider was a 16-carry, 79-yard effort against Kansas in last year’s season finale. And this was just the second time in his young career that he’s found the endzone multiple times in a game.

But Brooks is a player that Tech fans should buy stock in. He’s improving rapidly and probing to be a true weapon for the Red Raiders on the ground.

In his last three games (dating back to 2020), he’s averaged 6.2 yards per carry and 12.3 rushes per game. That second number could go up significantly should Thompson remain inactive for the time being and it will be interesting to continue to watch Brooks’ development. And for his standout performance against Houston, he deserves a game ball.

Home/Texas Tech Football