Wreck'Em Red
Fansided

Texas Tech football: Game balls for win over FIU

By Matthew Conner

Oct 31, 2020; Lubbock, Texas, USA; A Texas Tech Red Raiders football sits on the field before the game against the Oklahoma Sooners at Jones AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 31, 2020; Lubbock, Texas, USA; A Texas Tech Red Raiders football sits on the field before the game against the Oklahoma Sooners at Jones AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 18, 2021; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Texas Tech University flags outside Jones AT&T Stadium before the game between the Florida International Panthers and the Texas Tech Red Raiders. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2021; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Texas Tech University flags outside Jones AT&T Stadium before the game between the Florida International Panthers and the Texas Tech Red Raiders. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /

S Marquis “Muddy” Waters

There was a time in this game when it felt as if we might be in for another close shave against a team that entered as a multi-touchdown underdog.  But thanks to Marquis “Muddy” Waters, the Panthers were unable to jump out to a two-score lead, which would have really put the panic in the crowd at Jones Stadium.

In a first quarter that saw Tech start slowly again for the third-straight week to open the season, Tech would not only punt on its first two possessions but Matt Wells’ team would also let FIU drive 88 yards on nine plays to find the endzone on the Panthers’ second possession.  Then, on the next FIU drive, the Red Raiders would muff a punt allowing the visitors to regain the ball and seize the momentum as it appeared that yet another lesser opponent was going to give the Red Raiders a fight to the death.

But momentum is a fickle mistress and with one snap of the football, she jumped sidelines to join the Red Raiders.  On the first play after the miscue on the punt, Waters picked off FIU QB Max Bortenschlager and returned the ball 71 yards for a touchdown.

It was Waters’ first career TD and his fourth career pick.  And that one play almost single-handedly changed the course of this game.

For the remainder of the first half, Tech would outscore FIU 28-7 en route to a 35-14 halftime cushion.  That’s exactly what Tech needed against a poor opponent.

It was really the first time this season that the Duke transfer has made a loud impact in a game.  But his history suggests that more game-changing plays are on the way.  And for turning Saturday’s game around when it appeared as if Tech might be in trouble, Waters earns a game ball.

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