Texas Tech football: Tight win over UCF sends Red Raiders bowling

Special teams turned this game for Texas Tech

The Red Raiders have the kicking game to thank for this win.  Specifically, they have UCF kicker Colton Boomer to thank.

Of course, the deflected extra point try off of Boomer’s foot in the fourth quarter was the defining moment of the game.  However, he also doinked a 32-yard field goal off the upright in the third quarter to prevent his team from reclaiming the lead.

As for the blocked extra point, the credit actually belongs to young Texas Tech defensive tackle Dooda Banks.  A 6-foot-5, 305-pounder from Wichita Falls, the sophomore was able to get his long arm in the kicking lane just perfectly enough for the ball to deflect off of his elbow and flutter wide left.

Meanwhile, Tech got a critical field goal from Gino Garcia who continues his strong play.  Drilling a 51-yard FG in the fourth quarter to answer a UCF field goal on the previous drive, he gave Tech just enough breathing room as it turned out.

Also, don’t overlook the important kickoff return by Tech’s Drae McCray at the end of the first quarter.  With Tech down 14-0 and having stalled out on two offensive drives, he set up the team’s first score by returning the ball 54 yards to the UCF 46.  He would also end that drive with a 14-yard TD catch, just his second TD grab of the season.

Finally, Austin McNamara was elite once again.  Averaging 47 yards on his two punts, he downed both inside the 20.

His second punt was downed at the UCF 19 and one play later, Tech was able to intercept a pass at the Knights’ 41.  Five plays after that, Tech would have its first lead of the game on Brooks’ TD run.

Credit special teams coordinator Kenny Perry for making the third side of the ball almost elite this year.  Once again on Saturday, the kicking game was tilted in Tech’s favor and that tipped the scales in what was a very even contest.