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Texas Tech football: What we want to see from Red Raiders vs. Tarleton

By Matthew Conner

LUBBOCK, TEXAS - OCTOBER 22: Defensive lineman Joseph Adedire #43 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders runs across the field before the game against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Jones AT&T Stadium on October 22, 2022 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TEXAS - OCTOBER 22: Defensive lineman Joseph Adedire #43 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders runs across the field before the game against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Jones AT&T Stadium on October 22, 2022 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /
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LUBBOCK, TEXAS – SEPTEMBER 09: Joseph Adedire #14 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders shouts during the second half of the game against the Oregon Ducks at Jones AT&T Stadium on September 09, 2023 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TEXAS – SEPTEMBER 09: Joseph Adedire #14 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders shouts during the second half of the game against the Oregon Ducks at Jones AT&T Stadium on September 09, 2023 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /

The Texas Tech pass rushers must start to make an impact

Texas Tech also isn’t going to have much success in the Big 12 if opposing quarterbacks are going to continue to be allowed to have enough time to read the Saturday edition of the Avalanche-Journal each time they drop back to pass.  If this defense can’t manage to make life miserable for Tarleton’s QB, then will any opponent this year fear the Red Raider pass rush?

So far, Tech has only three sacks as a team.  What’s more, the only one that came at an important time was Jaylon Hutching’s sack against Wyoming to stymie the Cowboys’ attempt for a game-winning drive on the final possession of regulation in week one.

Where have Myles Cole and Steve Linton been?  Both were uber-hyped this offseason after reportedly dominating spring and fall practices.

Neither player has been able to get to the QB this season, though.  In fact, no Red Raider edge rusher has been credited with a full sack through two games.

Maybe Joseph Adedire can get into the backfield tonight.  He’s been hampered by a shoulder injury but regardless, Tech needs more for a young player who surprised with 3.5 tackles for loss and 1.0 sacks in nine games last fall as a true freshman.

If the Red Raider edge rushers can generate consistent pressure on their own, defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter will have no choice but to bring extra pressure in the form of blitzes and as we learned on the 4-down TD that Wyoming scored on their second OT possession against Tech, that’s a dangerous way to live.

So keep an eye on the Red Raider edge rushers tonight.  That group must figure out how to finally get after the passer after struggling to do so thus far in 2023.

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