Several Texas Tech football players deserve game balls for performances vs. ISU

It has been a while since we've been able to celebrate a Texas Tech football victory. Thus, we haven't handed out game balls in quite some time.

Saturday's 23-22 win over No. 11 Iowa State was not only a huge win for the Red Raiders in the Big 12 standings because it gave Tech a tiebreaker over the Cyclones should the two teams end up tied in the conference race but it also finally gave the program something to feel good about again.

Thanks to losses to in-state rivals Baylor and TCU (each of which were gutting in their own way) and an open week, the Red Raiders had not won a football game prior to Saturday since beating Arizona on October 5. That's a span of 28 days without a win.

During that time, the fan base had grown frustrated and cynical proving just how quickly the tenor surrounding a program can change. Of course, the vibe has changed once again thanks to the Red Raiders' upset of the Cyclones as there has been much rejoicing around Raiderland over the past two days.

So let's keep the good times rolling by handing out some imaginary game balls. And we'll start with the player who spearheaded an unexpectedly good defensive showing.

Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez continues to have a monster season

There's no question who the leader of the Texas Tech defense is. Junior linebacker Jacob Rodriguez has emerged as the most important player on that side of the ball and against Iowa State, he was at his best.

The Wichita Falls native was terrific with 13 total tackles on the day, nine of which were of the solo variety. He also had 2.5 tackles for loss and he forced a fumble. That was the Cyclones' first lost fumble of the season, by the way. Oh, and if that wasn't enough, he was also credited with two sacks to help spark a Texas Tech pass rush that has suddenly become noticeable after being a non-factor almost all season.

This year, Rodriguez has 83 tackles, three sacks, and three forced fumbles. In five games this season, he's had double-digit tackles.

His 13 tackles against Iowa State matched his career-high, which he has set three times this season (against Abilene Christian and against Arizona prior to Saturday). He's on pace for nearly 120 tackles this season which is an outstanding total for a guy who was recruited to college to play quarterback.

Rodriguez is the heart and soul of the Tech defense and he is playing the best football of his career this season after being injured for most of last fall. And against Iowa State, he was a warrior which earns him a game ball.

Josh Kelly was Texas Tech's lone weapon in the passing game

Facing the nation's top pass defense was always going to be a challenge. Thus, the Red Raiders needed someone to step up as a weapon and that's what Josh Kelly did.

Tech's leading receiver on the year caught eight passes against the Cyclones for 127 yards and two touchdowns. That means that 53% of Tech's passing yards went to Kelly.

Tech needed Kelly to come up huge because its other two starting receivers, Coy Eakin and Caleb Douglas, combined to catch just seven passes for 67 yards with no touchdowns.

Prior to this game, Kelly had been in a bit of a downward slide as he's dealt with nagging injuries. Since catching eight passes for 111 yards against Cincinnati on September 28, he had averaged only 40.6 receiving yards per game in his last three outings. What's more, he had not caught a touchdown pass since September 21 against Arizona State.

He broke out in a big way against the Cyclones. Kelly was Tech's go-to option on Saturday and he came through to help the offense do just enough to win. For that, he gets a game ball.

Tahj Brooks powers the Texas Tech ground game once again

It is hard to find new superlatives to lay at the feet of Texas Tech running back Tahj Brooks. Week-in and week-out he's the piston that drives the engine of the offense.

Against Iowa State, he carried the ball 25 times for 122 yards and the game-winning touchdown. Of course, had Tech not gone away from him for a large portion of the second and third quarters, he would have had an even bigger day and Tech likely would have had a greater margin of victory.

When Tech gave the ball to Brooks, the offense functioned properly and effectively. For the day, there were only four scoring drives by the Red Raiders.

On those drives, Brooks carried the ball 15 times for 98 yards and a TD. Meanwhile, on Tech's eight other drives, Brooks got the ball just ten times.

Sometimes, offensive coordinator Zach Kittley falls in love with the passing game. But when he remembers that Brooks is what makes his offense go, the Red Raiders are hard to stop.

Against Iowa State, when Brooks ran the ball, Tech scored. That was crucial against the nation's best pass defense and for yet another stellar performance, Brooks once again gets a game ball.