Leftwich, Texas Tech prepare for physical battle versus BYU
The upcoming matchup for the Red Raiders against BYU may be the biggest in school history. Texas Tech is looking to close in on a Big 12 Championship in the coming weeks, and this matchup against the Cougars will be critical in the pursuit of that goal. Mack Leftwich spoke with the local media Monday afternoon about the Cougars, and staying to the strengths of the offense.
Shaking off the rust
Behren Morton had yet to play a game since his injury against Kansas on October 11th, the senior made his first appearance since that injury versus Kansas State this past Saturday. After the time off, Morton had some rust to get off in the first quarter, but after that he showed up big time for the Red Raiders.
“Yeah, I think we, you know, I think early on, we tried to be aggressive, and, you know, we used quite a bit of tempo that first drive, so we tried to come out and attack Kansas State early.”
“But, you know you know, as he gets back into things and taking those two weeks off, you know, you could see as the game kind of progressed, he played a little bit cleaner, a little bit better. So I would imagine he would come out and be able to start fast this week for sure.”
Wildcat schemes
The Red Raiders utilized multiple wildcat formations during the game Saturday in Manhattan, Coach Leftwich spoke on how big it was to have two running backs in the game in various parts of the field vs Kansas State.
Yea, I mean, that was just kind of a game plan thing that we saw. We could potentially get an advantage against Kansas State just trying to find ways to run the football.”
“I think both those guys are really good players. And so the more times that we can get our guys who are really good players on the field together and get those guys the ball, the better for our offense.”
“So, yeah, I think that was a successful thing this past week, and we’ll kind of see if that holds true moving forward.”
Coach Leftwich also spoke some on how he thought K-State adjusted to the wildcat plays, as they tried to figure out a way to stop the multi-option look.
“That was really just kind of a way, you know, obviously Behren coming back off the injury. And, you know, he can run a little bit, but he’s not the most fleet of foot guy. And so just a way to kind of add some of that, plus one run game.”
“Because running the quarterback, you look at the teams who are really good at running the football across the country, almost all of them, you know, run the quarterback in some capacity. And so just finding ways down in the red zone or a short yard situation, you know, when they’re the defense is going to have an extra hat to still be able to run the football.”
“So we just kind of came up with some creative ways to get to those same looks, but snapping at the chance.”
Pulling the rabbit out of the hat
BYU has been able to win in various ways not only this year, but last year as well. The Cougars are 19-2 since the start of the 2024 season, and they’ll look to continue their winning style into Lubbock Saturday morning. Coach Leftwich and Co are going to have to pull all the rabbits out of the hat against the Cougars.
“I mean, I would like to think between our offensive staff, all the minds in there that we’ll have some good rabbits this week, and then we’ll be able to come up with some new ones next week, if we need to.”
“So, yeah, we’ll put together a good game plan. We’ll be aggressive like always, and stay true to who we are as an offense. I think in these big games something that’s important is doing what we do well.”
“And so, you know, we’ve done a good job of self scouting the past couple of weeks and and kind of really trying to dive into what are the things that we do well as an offense, and then try to major in those and you know, just let our kids play confident and not let the game or the moment be too big.”
Terrance Carter
Terrance Carter hadn’t played since his exit vs Arizona State in Tempe, the transfer tight end made his return vs Kansas State on Saturday. Coach Leftwich spoke on what the return of Carter means, and how he affects the offensive production.
“Yeah, it was great. It’s always nice when you get throw a five yard hitch around and it turns into a 45 yard play because of some broken tackles. So he just bring, he brings us some great juice out there.”
“You know, from that tight end spot, he’s extremely good with the ball in his hands, strong runner, physical runner. And then and to your, you know, when you have him back and John Carlos, you’re able to go some 12 personnel. So that always helps the run game. So I thought, I thought both of those things were huge for us.”
Finishing drives
Texas Tech moved the ball pretty well on their first drive of the game against Kansas State, but ultimately it ended in an interception after a false start pushed the Red Raiders back on third down. Coach Leftwich believes they can build on finishing drives in plus territory.
“Yeah, I think when you really look at it in the first half, we felt like we were moving the ball pretty well. You know, there was, like, maybe one driver. We went three and out. But other than that we were getting first downs removing the ball in the plus territory.
“And like you mentioned, where it was really more self inflicted wounds than anything, and so felt really good about the plan that we had. And I think something that just kind of played into the game is because we were moving the football and getting some, you know, getting first downs.”
“That first half we had, like 45 plays, I think, to their 20, and our time of possession was 19 minutes, you know, which is a factor you with the style of offense that we play. You know, sometimes in the second half that tempo can start to wear down a defense and and you do see that, you know, some more of those explosive plays, because the guy you know maybe is a step slower and misfits a run or misses a tackle.”
“And so I think, I think that probably had something to do within the second half is probably a good answer for your question.”
Adjusting to BYU
BYU is an extremely physical football team, and will wear you down if you cannot keep the offense moving. It will be crucial for the Red Raiders success to balance their attacks on Saturday, and put the ball in the end zone once they get into plus territory. Coach Leftwich spoke on adapting to BYU’s fronts or attacks, and getting the most out of his offense.
“Yeah. I think Coach Hill does a great job. I think he’s one of the best defense coordinators in the country, year in and year out. Statistically, that’s been the case. And I think they’re multiple enough on defense, and they present a bunch of different pictures for you, coverage wise, and in the box.”
“They do have answers for whatever you’re kind of giving them. So making sure we have enough in the game plan, you know, as they make adjustments, we got to be able to adjust at the same rate.”
“And so I think that’ll be an important back and forth as we go throughout this game, because they have done a great job in the second half, in some of these games, you know, shutting teams down, be able to get back in”
BYU is also a very big defensive football team, especially in their front seven. Coach Leftwich spoke on how big it’ll be for his offensive line to show up, and pave the way for their running backs and giving time for Morton to hit deep shots.
“Yes, I mean, I think in a lot of ways, we go as offensive line goes, you know, as an offense, we can run the ball. We can establish, you know, that that style of play that opens everything up for the passing game.”
“And, yeah, they are big. They are long. You know, really, at every level of the defense, even if you look at their back end. They’ve got a safety who is 6’4″, and they have a corner who is 6’3″. So they have length, and they can take away space, which is what good defenses do. And so it’ll be a challenge for us, but we’ll have a great week of practice, and I think our guys will be ready.”
Leftwich also had a few more takeaways from the BYU linebacker room.
“… Really long range. They can make plays all over the field and then 17 (Jack Kelly), has some similarities to our guys in terms of just being a playmaker. He’s probably one of the best blitzing linebackers up there in the country. So he’s really good when he blitzes about getting to the quarterback and kind of creating havoc.”
“So I think that’s a really good room. And then I think the other guy, 54 (Siale Esera) is a really solid player as well. So I think they’ve got three really good linebackers, you know, that’ll that’ll be a challenge for us, and I think they do a good job just within their scheme, giving those guys freedom to go make plays.”
Jados to Cleveland
Cash Cleveland took over for Will Jados during the K-State game at guard, Leftwich closes the speculation on if that was injury based or trying to give Cleveland more reps in-game.
“Yeah, kind of more of the second part (in-game reps). I think Cash has been doing a great job in practice and has earned an opportunity to play and the games that he got in.”
“In the Arizona State game, I thought did a great job, and then got in the Oklahoma State game as well, and did well. So just want to give him an opportunity to go out there, and it’s a meaningful time, and I thought he did a great job so stuck with him.”
Mack Leftwich trusts in Cleveland, and believes his shown a lot so far to earn him spots on the field during big games.
“Yeah, I think he’s done a phenomenal job. Unfortunately, had the broken foot this summer, so that limited him quite a bit early in the season.”
“But just in every opportunity that we’ve given him, whether it be that first bye week, when he was really kind of first back available and could practice, and we were doing kind of those developmental scrimmages with the younger guys in the twos and threes, getting them some extra work.”
“I thought he did a great job going in there and battling in those, I think his biggest strength is, you know, he’s just, he’s a smart football player, and he’s a tough kid, and so he doesn’t put himself in bad positions.”
“He can see what’s going on on the defense and what’s going on the front. And he can play fast, because he can process all that stuff at a really high level. He played center at Colorado last year, so he’s used to calling all the fronts and those kind of things.”
“So playing guard, not having to do that, he can really play fast. So I think he’s a really smart, tough football player. And I think he’s, you know, he’s shown he’s just showing us he’s kind of one of those kids, like, every time you give him an opportunity, he does well with it. And so we’re just going to continue”
Eakin’s involvement
Coy Eakin has been a huge piece for the Red Raiders at the slot. If you felt like he’s been targeted a little less, Coach Leftwich spoke on how he’s being read and passed on for more open receivers.
“Yea, you would like to see him targeted more. And there were certain plays, it’s one of those things early in the season maybe CD (Caleb Douglas) wasn’t getting as many catches as he is now, and coy was getting all the balls.”
“And so there were plays that were called, where Coy is the first read, but the defense takes it away. And so it was definitely not a thing of, you know, lack of trying to get in the football. We just threw it to where the defense, you know, let us have an open guy. So happened to be CD (Caleb Douglas) and Reggie (Virgil).”
Concerned with drops?
The Red Raider receivers have had a few drops thus far in the season, but not all are on the receivers or quarterbacks. Coach Leftwich doesn’t currently see it as a concern, but something to stress and build on.
“Yeah, obviously you never want to have any of those. And I think, you know, it’s not all just a receiver’s fault. You know, there’s some ball placement that can be better and things like that.”
“So I think, you know that’s something that will continue to stress and and just have to have our have our finger on you as we go through our practice, make sure we’re we’re staying locked in and focused on those BYU linebackers for a moment.”
Ultimately…
The Red Raiders have a big one on their hands Saturday morning. It’ll take all three phases executing to pull out a win versus BYU in Lubbock. College Gameday will be in town, you can catch the pregame show Saturday 8-11AM CT on ESPN.
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