Texas Tech football: Hidden moments in heartbreaking loss to Oregon

Texas Tech misses huge opportunity on ill-fated drive when Tyler Shough would have seen a wide-open receiver

Everyone is going to talk about the foolish 4th-down decision McGuire made in the 4th quarter from his own 33.  However, a wide-open receiver on the first play of that drive could have changed the entire trajectory of the game.

On the play, wide receiver Jordan Brown came from the left of the formation to the middle of the field and there was not a defender within 15 yards of him.  However, Tyler Shough never even looked Brown’s way.

Though he was never under pressure on the play and had a clean pocket, Shough threw a quick out to Mason Tharp for just four yards.  It was a strange decision from Shough given that the big tight end was tightly covered on his route near the sideline.

Often, Shough is maddening because, when he has time, he doesn’t go through his progressions when he has time, but when the pocket is collapsing, he seems happy to hold onto the ball and look downfield until it’s too late.  Of course, coverage often plays a role in those decisions but on the play, Tharp was covered and Brown was as wide-open as any receiver was all night.

Had Shough found Brown, that drive likely would have moved to near the 50.  It would have also given the defense more rest after Oregon’s 17-play TD drive.  It is also easy to envision Brown making the lone Oregon defender behind him miss in the open field, which would have led to a touchdown.

Plus, if Shough gets the ball to Brown, then it would have at worst put Tech in a field position where any 4th-down gamble would have made sense.  Instead, three plays later, Oregon would take over possession inside the Tech 35 on their way to a crucial field goal.