Backup guard Jacoby Jackson gives Texas Tech a solid effort
There was a time when the depth along the offensive line was one of Texas Tech’s greatest weaknesses. While that group still isn’t as solid or as deep as anyone in the program wants it to be, it is getting better.
Saturday saw Cole Spencer miss his first game of the year at left guard. Thought to be the best lineman on the team, his absence could have been a huge issue if not for Jacoby Jackson.
The redshirt sophomore from Mansfield, Texas was unnoticeable in Spencer’s place and that’s exactly what you want from a starting interior offensive lineman. He didn’t draw any penalties and he helped the offense dominate the game at the point of impact.
On the night, Tech would snap the ball only 68 times. However, the offense would average 5.3 yards per play.
The line would give up only one sack on 27 drop-backs while also paving the way for 186 yards per carry on a night when, again, everyone in the stadium knew what OC Zack Kittley was going to do…hand the ball to Tahj Brooks.
Next year, Jackson could be in line to start at one of the guard spots given that Spencer and right guard Dennis Wilburn will exhaust their eligibility at the end of this season. He showed on Saturday night that he might be ready for that opportunity as he helped his team pick up a win in a game in which the O-line controlled play all night long.