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Texas Tech football: What Red Raiders must do to beat UCF

By Matthew Conner

Texas Tech's defensive back Dadrion Taylor-Demerson (1) intercepts the ball against TCU in a Big 12 football game, Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023, at Jones AT&T Stadium.
Texas Tech's defensive back Dadrion Taylor-Demerson (1) intercepts the ball against TCU in a Big 12 football game, Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023, at Jones AT&T Stadium. /
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Nov 11, 2023; Orlando, Florida, USA; UCF Knights quarterback John Rhys Plumlee (10) runs the ball against Oklahoma State Cowboys linebacker Xavier Benson (1) as safety Kendal Daniels (5) moves in during the second quarter at FBC Mortgage Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 11, 2023; Orlando, Florida, USA; UCF Knights quarterback John Rhys Plumlee (10) runs the ball against Oklahoma State Cowboys linebacker Xavier Benson (1) as safety Kendal Daniels (5) moves in during the second quarter at FBC Mortgage Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports /

Texas Tech can’t let Plumlee run wild

UCF has a great running back as well.  Senior R.J. Harvey is explosive and has already racked up 1,082 yards and 12 TDs.  He’s even got a 92-yard scamper on his ledger this season.

However, Tech has done a good job against running backs this year.  It’s been running QBs that have once again been a problem and today, Plumlee can’t be allowed to impact the game with his legs.

Folks in Lubbock still have nightmares of seeing KSU’s Avery Johnson run for five TDs and 90 yards earlier this year in Lubbock.  Also, scrappy Wyoming QB Andrew Peasley kept his team in the game by running for 68 yards and a TD on 15 carries in week one.  Even Houston’s Donovan Smith gave Tech problems in the first half as he ran for 58 yards on nine rushes overall including a couple of key third-and-long conversions early in the game.

Today, Plumlee could do the same.  In his lengthy NCAA career, he’s put up 100 rushing yards ten times.  He even went off for 212 yards on the ground against LSU in 2019 when he was playing for Ole Miss.

This year, a knee injury has limited his running, though.  In fact, in the five games he’s played, he has topped out at 74 yards.  Of course, that came last week, a sign that he might be feeling more confident on his previously injured wheel.

Plumlee is fast.  Just like Kansas’ Jason Bean (maybe not quite that fast though).  When Bean was in the game last week against Tech, the Red Raiders did a good job of containing him when he ran.

Can they do the same today against Plumlee?  A key might be whether or not star Tyler Owens will be able to play after leaving last week’s game with an ankle injury.  He’s a game-time decision today and if he plays, he could be a key to slowing Plumlee’s ground game.

Today, the game will be won or lost on the ground and Plumlee can’t be allowed to keep drives alive by using his feet.  If Tech can keep him in the pocket, especially on 3rd down, then this will be a game that goes the way of the home team.

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