Texas Tech football: What we want to see tonight vs. SFA

A receiver other than Erik Ezukanma must make plays

Given that Tech threw the ball just 24 times a week ago against Houston, it is hard to be too concerned about the Red Raider passing attack.  But this week, it would be nice to see the offense get contributions from a receiver other than Erik Ezukanma.

In week one, Tech had 231 yards passing.  179 of those yards went to Ezukanma.  That’s 77.4%.

Meanwhile, the next leading receiver for Tech was tight end Travis Koontz who had four catches for just 28 yards.  And as for the rest of the wide receivers and slot receivers, they totaled only six catches for 24 yards.

Of course, we don’t expect SFA to dominate the time of possession the way that Houston did seven days ago.  That’s why there should be more opportunities for other Red Raiders to get their hands on the ball in the passing game.

This is the type of game where QB Tyler Shough and receivers like J.J. Sparkman, Kaylon Geiger, McLane Mannix, and others can work on their timing in a live game environment and they need to take advantage because those players will be important when Big 12 play begins in two weeks.

Specifically, let’s single out Geiger because he was brought to the South Plains to be a strong complementary weapon to Ezukanma.  He has over 1,600 career receiving yards to his name and that came in just two seasons and one game.

He’s got the speed to be a game-breaking WR but most of what he’s done at the college level has come from the slot and Tech has him playing outside.  So maybe it is going to take some time for him to get acclimated to his new role and new position.  And perhaps today is the day that it all begins to click.

But if it is not Geiger, some other Red Raider WR not named Ezukanman has to step up before Big 12 play begins.  That’s because EZ can’t carry this WR corps on his back all season.