Wreck'Em Red
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Texas Tech football: Five hidden moments in victory over Murray State

By Matthew Conner

From left to right: Texas Tech's tight end Baylor Cupp, Texas Tech's head football coach Joey McGuire and Texas Tech's tight end Mason Tharp sing "The Matador Song" after the team's win against Murray State, Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, at Jones AT&T Stadium. Texas Tech won, 63-10.
From left to right: Texas Tech's tight end Baylor Cupp, Texas Tech's head football coach Joey McGuire and Texas Tech's tight end Mason Tharp sing "The Matador Song" after the team's win against Murray State, Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, at Jones AT&T Stadium. Texas Tech won, 63-10. /
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Nov 20, 2021; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Fireworks burst over the scoreboard before a game between the Oklahoma State Cowboys and the Texas Tech Red Raiders. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 20, 2021; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Fireworks burst over the scoreboard before a game between the Oklahoma State Cowboys and the Texas Tech Red Raiders. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /

Murray State kicks an 18-yard punt

Speaking of the kicking game, the night’s most comical moment came in the second quarter when Murray State punter Lewis Halton shanked an 18-yard punt from his team’s own 14.  That set Tech up for an easy TD that would make the score 35-10.

For the game, Halton was extremely busy.  Punting 12 times, he averaged just 39.5 yards per kick.  Of course, the 18-yard punt didn’t help his average.

Contrast Halton to Tech’s Austin McNamara and it is easy to appreciate what the Red Raiders have at the punter spot.

https://twitter.com/TexasTechFB/status/1566947826948624385?s=20&t=Rqp8RF16CedZIv6IzVBEyA

Having to punt only in the second half, the senior averaged 45.8 yards per kick on four punts.  What’s more, he downed three inside the 20 and two inside the 10.

McNamara is a true weapon for Tech.  Last year, he averaged over 48 yards per punt to set a Texas Tech football record.

Interestingly, it would take the Red Raiders eight plays to cover the 32 yards they would need following this shank.  But still, the awful kick would make it easier for Tech to extend the lead to a truly insurmountable number.

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