Shiel Wood and the Texas Tech Red Raider defense are going to have their hands a little full this weekend when the Texas Tech football team goes to Manhattan, Kansas to meet up with the Kansas State Wildcats.
We’ve got to point out that it’s not that Kansas State has been the most impressive team ever all season long, but the Wildcats have managed to win three of their last four games and really solid and explosive quarterback play is a huge reason for that.
Avery Johnson is a dangerous threat just about every time he’s out on the field. And as Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire made clear, the Red Raiders will have to try to limit what Johnson can do. It doesn’t sound like the Texas Tech head coach is convinced that his team’s defense will truly stop Kansas State’s talented quarterback.
‘This is going to be really important’: Joey McGuire points to Texas Tech needing to limit Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson
“This is going to be really important,” McGuire explained at his press conference on Monday. “One, to stay in your gap whenever they go quarterback run game and maintain your gap, control your gap. And then when we’re rushing the passer, you’ve got to do it together, you’ve got to stay in your pass rush lanes.”
That’s likely a little easier said than done, but it probably isn’t impossible. Johnson hasn’t been the most impressive rusher up to this point in the season, but he has been productive and is capable of extending plays against opposing defenses. Right now he has 255 rushing yards at 3.9 yards per carry to go along with five rushing touchdowns.
“You’re trying to limit it, you’re really not going to be able to stop him because he is really explosive,” McGuire continued. “He’s a great quarterback.”
Absolutely true. Johnson has been a huge reason for his team’s success throughout his career. This season, he’s completed 62.9 percent of his passes for 1792 yards and 15 passing touchdowns against just two interceptions. He just hasn’t made many mistakes. And if Texas Tech’s defense isn’t paying close attention, he could force the Red Raiders into a few mistakes.