Texas Tech football: Handing out game balls for Saturday’s win over WVU

Josh Burger and Ethan Carde

Coming into this game, most people (myself included) were concerned about the Red Raider offensive line’s ability to hold up against a stout WVU defensive front.  Those concerns were only amplified in the pre-game when we learned that starting center Dawson Deaton would not play.

That meant that right guard Josh Burger had to move to center and backup tackle Ethan Carde had to slide down to right guard.  Playing two players out of position is never ideal, especially when trying to hold off a pass rush as good as West Virginia’s.  But both Carde and Burger played extremely well considering the circumstances.

As a group, the offensive line played as well as anyone could have hoped.  WVU did amass three sacks but had only two other QB pressures.  Meanwhile, Tech averaged only 2.7 yards per carry.

But when the game was on the line, the offensive line stepped up big in the run game.  On the game-winning drive, Tech ran the ball five times for 33 yards.  That was important because it helped drain the clock while moving the football.

This was the first time that we have seen Carde play center and it was the first time that Care has had to start at guard.  And both equipped themselves well against what most people consider to be one of the Big 12’s best defensive lines.  And for that, each deserves a game ball.