Jerand Bradley finally comes up big for Texas Tech in 2023
All season, wide receiver Jerand Bradley has only been noticeable because he’s been unremarkable. Some of that has had to do with the QB turmoil but some of that is simply due to the fact that he’s not been as good this year as he was a season ago.
Against KU, though, he made his presence known in huge moments. With 91 yards on just four catches, he averaged 28 yards per catch. That’s making the most of your opportunities with the ball.
Of course, his 33-yard snag on Tech’s final drive was the game’s defining play. Coming back to catch an underthrown pass from Morton, he battled (and might have gotten away with a push-off) to make the type of impact play that this team has needed him to make all season.
The catch set up Tech at the KU 12 allowing Garcia to have a chip-shot field goal for the win. When this season is over, might that be the defining play of the year? It is entirely possible given how critical this game was.
We answered the call ☎️
— Texas Tech Football (@TexasTechFB) November 11, 2023
Game 🥶 pic.twitter.com/y9FfAvTKl4
Bradley also made a circus one-handed catch earlier in the game to set his team up at the KU 28. However, that drive would end with a missed FG.
This was the first time this season that Bradley has topped 90 yards in a game and the first time since the KSU game that he’s had over three catches. What’s more, it had been since the Oregon game that he’s had over 50 yards in one contest.
It is hard to argue that Bradley, a former 4-star recruit, has lived up to the preseason hype that saw him named an All-Big 12 honoree before the season. However, in Lawrence, he came up huge when his team needed a play and he finally proved to be a difference-maker for the Red Raiders.