Sights & Sounds: No. 21 Texas Tech Flashes in 62-14 Win Over Kent State
Through two games Texas Tech has now outscored opponents 129-21 and 95-0 in the first half of games when their starters are on the field. Those numbers were helped by a 48-0 first half score over Kent State on Saturday, highlighted by a 55-yard interception return from Skyler Gill-Howard.
“Unfortunately Joyner [Quinten] is out so another #0 might have to step up to the plate. Y’all talk to coach Mack about that,” the former part-time high school running back turned 290 pound college defensive tackle joked after the game. “I don’t think I was moving that fast, but everyone told me I was… I’d probably say 22 miles per hour, but it was probably 18.”
Despite the questionable mark coming into the game with a leg injury sustained versus Arkansas Pine-Bluff, Behren Morton tossed three first-half touchdown passes. He credited the medical team and facilities at Texas Tech for helping him recover in time from what was described as bruising, swelling and soreness in his calf area.
“I feel really good,” said Morton following the Kent State win. “I want to give a lot of praise to our medical staff, our strength staff and the facilities that we have here. It’s a one of a kind facility. The way I got to get my body back right.”
Asked after the game why McGuire didn’t play it safe with Morton and hold him out in this game, he was pretty clear. This team has big goals and he knows achieving those is going to take everyone getting into rhythm and up to standard by conference play. A Big 12 schedule that starts out with a tough one on the road at ranked 2-0 Utah in a couple weeks.
“There’ll be more scouts and GMs at the Utah game than we’ve ever seen because of the O Line and D Line that’s going against each other,” explained McGuire. “I just thought we’ve got to be hitting our stride going into conference. I think Oregon State’s going to be a tough game next week and then I know that coaching staff of Utah, they’re really good coaching staff. They’re really physical and I don’t want us to not be playing at our best and getting in as many reps as we can get with our best guys on the field.”
Texas Tech Stat Leaders
Behren Morton – 18/26, 258 yards, 3 touchdowns
Adam Hill – 16 carries, 127 yards
Reggie Virgil – 5 catches, 50 yards, 2 touchdowns
Skyler Gill-Howard – 4 tackles (2 solo), interception (returned for TD)
A.J. Holmes – 4 tackles (4 solo), 1 sack, 2 tackles for a loss, 1 pass defense
Behind the Game
Read more about the moments, calls, mistakes and everything in between with stories from RedRaiderSports.com writers:
Let’s make it clear: Coy Eakin called the Skyler-Gill Howard pick 6
Texas Tech with lots to clean up after Kent State beatdown
Morton, Eakin talk Kent State win, young wideouts and defense
Three Up, Three Down: Texas Tech vs Kent State
Photo Gallery: Texas Tech vs. Kent State
Next Up: Home Versus Oregon State, 2:30 PM Saturday 9/13
Texas Tech (2-0) caps off their three-game home stand to open the season with Oregon State (0-2) on Saturday September 13. The Beavers enter the contest 0-2 after losses to Cal and Fresno State. Kickoff scheduled for 2:30 PM at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock. BE THERE!
Game will be broadcast on FOX.
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