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Texas Tech football: Oregon has tons of star power for Tech to contend with

By Matthew Conner

Sep 2, 2023; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Bo Nix (10) throws a pass during the first half against the Portland State Vikings at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 2, 2023; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Bo Nix (10) throws a pass during the first half against the Portland State Vikings at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oregon running back Bucky Irving breaks free for a touchdown in the second quarter as the Oregon Ducks host Portland State in the Ducks’ season opener Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore.
Oregon running back Bucky Irving breaks free for a touchdown in the second quarter as the Oregon Ducks host Portland State in the Ducks’ season opener Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. /

The two-headed Oregon running back attack will be tough for Texas Tech to corral

While Nix was the prize of the 2022 Oregon transfer class, Bucky Irving and Noah Whittington also proved to be difference-makers as newcomers.  Now, that duo is back and the Red Raiders will have to contend with at least one of them this Saturday.

A former Minnesota Gopher, Irving is a junior who put up over 1,300 all-purpose yards last year while finding the endzone five times.  During his 1,000-yard rushing season, he had four 100-yard games including a pair of games that saw him go for 149 yards.

Irving averaged an impressive 6.8 yards per carry and 9.8 yards per reception a season ago.  In week one of this season, he picked up where he left off 119 rushing yards on only four carries…that’s right…just four carries.  Hopefully, he will have a much more difficult time this weekend.

As for Whittington, he is rather familiar to Texas Tech offensive coordinator Zach Kittely, who he played for at Western Kentucky in 2021.  Last year, he rushed for 779 and five TDs in 13 games but he did not play in the week one game against Portland St.

Oregon head coach Dan Lanning declined not to comment on Whittington’s absence and it is unsure if the senior RB will play against the Red Raiders.  Adding some mystery to this situation is the fact that Whittington did go through warmups last week suggesting that he is not injured.

Regardless of who plays running back for the Ducks this week, the ground game will be a focus.  They ran for 348 yards last Saturday and they will likely be licking their chops at the thought of facing a Red Raider defense that will be without starting middle linebacker Jacob Rodriguez.

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