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Texas Tech football: Morton injured as Red Raiders fall to Kansas State again

By Matthew Conner

LUBBOCK, TEXAS - OCTOBER 14: Behren Morton #2 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders runs with the ball during the first half of the game against the Kansas State Wildcats at Jones AT&T Stadium on October 14, 2023 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TEXAS - OCTOBER 14: Behren Morton #2 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders runs with the ball during the first half of the game against the Kansas State Wildcats at Jones AT&T Stadium on October 14, 2023 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /
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LUBBOCK, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 26: Texas Tech Red Raiders offensive coordinator Zach Kittley is seen on the sideline during the third quarter against the Oklahoma Sooners at Jones AT&T Stadium on November 26, 2022 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 26: Texas Tech Red Raiders offensive coordinator Zach Kittley is seen on the sideline during the third quarter against the Oklahoma Sooners at Jones AT&T Stadium on November 26, 2022 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Getty Images) /

Texas Tech OC Zach Kittley abandons the run

Just this week, I praised Tech OC Zach Kittley for committing to the ground game since Shough’s injury. So, of course, he went away from that strategy at the absolute worst time on Saturday night.

On the three drives that ended in Strong interceptions, Kittley had his true freshman throw the ball 13 times.  During that same span, Tahj Brooks carried the ball only three times.  Does that seem like a wise plan to anyone?

Look, everyone thinks they are a natural-born offensive coordinator.  Of course, Zach Kittley knows more about coaching football than anyone sitting on their couch watching at home.

However, even the most novice fan can see that this offense is at its best when Brooks is featured.  So when Tech turned away from the ground game simply because KSU was up by 10 points and deploying a heavy box, it was a grave mistake.

If you have to rely on a true freshman who has never appeared in a game before, you should try to make life as easy as possible for him.  Kittley didn’t do that.

Despite having maybe the best running back in the Big 12, Kittley fell back into his old ways.  He reverted to his comfort zone of throwing the ball and I simply don’t understand why.

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