Texas Tech football: Game balls for demolition of the Mountaineers

RB Tahj Brooks

It seems like the Texas Tech running back plan is simply to go with whichever player has the hot hand between SaRodorick Thompson and Tahj Brooks.  That means that on any given week, the workload might be skewed in one player’s favor.

It’s not necessarily a conventional way to use two running backs but it is what offensive coordinator Zach Kittley and his staff have done thus far.  That means that both Thompson and Brooks have to be ready each week in case it proves to be their day to carry the load.

On Saturday, it was Brooks who was the workhorse.  Now, he got only two more carries than Thompson (17 to 15) but he was clearly the featured guy, especially early when Tech put this game in its back pocket.

Brooks would finish with 107 yards and two scores, the first two of the day for his team.  Meanwhile, Thompson would scamper his way to 59 yards and one TD.

This came one game after Brooks was hardly used at Oklahoma State.  Despite being completely healthy, he got only four carries for eight yards in Stillwater.

How many times would a player grow disgruntled after receiving such a small workload in a game?  How many players in that position would become a problem in their locker room?

That’s not Brooks though.  He simply kept his head down and prepared for his next opportunity, which came against West Virginia.  So for staying positive and making the most of his carries after being largely forgotten in his team’s previous game, Tahj Brooks deserves a game ball.