Texas Tech defense just as responsible for collapse vs. TCU as the late fumble

Though Texas Tech football fans are still upset about the decision to run freshman QB Will Hammond on a QB draw when Saturday's game with TCU was on the line, a play that resulted in a lost fumble, there is another culprit to blame for the 35-34 loss. The Texas Tech defense.

In fact, you could blame the defense for most of this season's struggles. That's because Tech is now 126th in the nation (out of 133 teams) in total defense by giving up 465.9 yards per game. Additionally, Tech is last in the country in pass defense allowing 308.3 yards per game through the air.

Those defensive issues were on display in the second half against TCU as the Red Raiders gagged away a 31-14 late third-quarter lead.

"Where I think we made a huge mistake with a 13-point lead...is now, instead of worrying about pressure, to giving them looks to 'Hey. You're going to have to drive the ball.' Drop eight. Protect your corners. Play Tampa-Two," head coach Joey McGuire said on Monday.

Though Tech did give up two big plays in the first quarter, the Red Raiders also managed to sack TCU QB Josh Hoover three times in the first half of the game. But when the game was on the line, the Big 12's worst pass rush couldn't replicate its early-game success.

What's more, though the defense tried to milk the clock and make TCU drive the ball on long-sustained possessions in the second half, repeated mental errors resulted in huge plays for the Horned Frogs.

"You can't give up the big plays that we did," defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter said. He would then go on to say that most of the big plays his defense allowed on Saturday were a result of poor communication. But regardless of why they happened, the chunk plays were why TCU was able to erase a 17-point deficit so quickly.

With Tech leading 31-14, TCU went on a touchdown drive that covered 75 yards in just 3:19. On that possession, the Red Raiders allowed plays of 19, 17, and 12 yards leading up to a one-yard touchdown plunge.

On the next TCU drive, with Tech up 34-21, TCU picked up 52 yards on one pass play to help them move the ball 75 yards in just 2:31 for another TD.

Then, of course, on TCU's next opportunity with the ball, they went 89 yards in two plays thanks to an 84-yard TD catch and run. That drive, which gave them a 35-34 lead, took only 0:36 off the clock. In all, it took TCU just 6:26 of game time to score their final 21 points. That's not how to protect a lead.

Ultimately, Hammond's fumble will be the play that everyone remembers from this game. It was an unforgettable and defining moment in the Red Raiders' season.

However, the defense had multiple opportunities to put this game on ice and repeatedly it failed to not only come up with stops, but it also failed to put up any resistance. That, as much as the late fumble, is why the Red Raiders lost.