OC Mack Leftwich talks Morton, Griffis, and Wildcats
After Texas Tech’s dominant win over Oklahoma State, offensive coordinator Mack Leftwich met with media to reflect on the Red Raiders’ performance and preview the upcoming road matchup against Kansas State. With quarterback Behren Morton expected to return and Mitch Griffis fresh off a strong showing, Leftwich outlined his priorities for balance on offense, ball security, and matching the Wildcats’ physicality.
Red Raiders turn the page after Oklahoma State victory
Texas Tech’s convincing win over Oklahoma State gave the Red Raiders momentum, but offensive coordinator Mack Leftwich said the focus immediately shifted to Kansas State. He stressed that the Wildcats, despite early struggles, have found a rhythm defensively and will present one of Tech’s tougher tests. According to Leftwich, discipline and execution on the road will be critical if the Red Raiders want to build on their recent success.
Morton’s return brings leadership and stability
Quarterback Behren Morton is expected to return this week, which Leftwich believes brings both stability and leadership to the offense. He explained that Morton has been playing at a high level when healthy, completing passes efficiently and keeping defenses off balance with explosive throws. Leftwich said, “You hope Behren gets back to playing like he was before his injury. He was playing at a really efficient level, completing a bunch of passes. Our explosive pass numbers have been really good with him at quarterback.” He also emphasized that Morton has the intangible ability to elevate everyone around him, which makes a difference when the offense needs rhythm.
Griffis provides spark and veteran presence
With Morton sidelined and the untimely injury to quarterback Will Hammond, Mitch Griffis delivered a steady performance that impressed the staff. Leftwich noted that Griffis’ poise and willingness to push the ball downfield gave the offense confidence. He said, “I was proud of Mitch. To be thrown into that situation as a third-string quarterback and play the way he did was really impressive.” Griffis’ path back to football adds to the story, as he had spent time away from the game working construction before joining Texas Tech. Leftwich recalled knowing him from past recruiting and said Griffis was simply looking for another opportunity, which turned into an ideal fit for both sides. The circumstances around his start may not have been ideal, but Griffis’ performance showed why the staff valued his veteran presence in the quarterback room.
Run game and offensive line must improve
Despite the victory, Leftwich admitted that the offensive line and run game lacked consistency against Oklahoma State. He explained that issues ranged from missed blocks to mistimed reads on run-pass options. “When you don’t run the ball successfully, it’s a combination of things,” Leftwich said. “At times we blocked it well and the quarterback threw the RPO. Other times the back didn’t hit it right, or the blocking wasn’t sharp. We’ve got to get back to the basics.” With Kansas State holding three straight opponents under 100 rushing yards, Leftwich stressed that physicality will be a priority this week.
Receivers continue to show growth
Texas Tech’s receivers took another step forward in the win over Oklahoma State, with several making difficult catches in key moments. Leftwich pointed out that Coy Eakin’s grab over the middle while taking a hit was one of the toughest he has seen. He also praised Caleb Douglas and Micah Hudson for making plays in critical spots and highlighted younger players like Kelby Valsin, who made the most of his limited snaps. Leftwich credited position coach Justin “Juice” Johnson for holding the group to a high standard and said he expects the unit to keep improving as the season continues.
Preparing for Kansas State’s defensive surge
Kansas State has regained momentum on defense by creating turnovers and shutting down the run game. The Wildcats have forced 15 turnovers in the past three games while limiting opponents on the ground. Leftwich said, “Turnover margin is one of the most critical stats there are. Especially on the road, we’ve got to take care of the football.” He added that Kansas State’s effort level and fundamentals stand out on film, and Texas Tech must match that intensity. Leftwich made it clear that if the Red Raiders cannot establish the run, they risk falling into the same long-yardage situations that other teams have struggled with against the Wildcats.
Final thoughts
Texas Tech enters a pivotal stretch of the season with momentum from its win over Oklahoma State and optimism surrounding Morton’s return. Leftwich’s message is straightforward: execute at a high level, establish the ground game, and protect the football against a Kansas State team thriving on defensive takeaways. If the Red Raiders can do those things, they will give themselves a chance to leave Manhattan with another statement win on the road.
Join the conversation with other Red Raiders on the Inside The Double T forum.
Subscribe today to get the most in-depth Texas Tech sports and recruiting coverage.
Follow us on X: @RedRaiderSports
Like and follow us on Instagram @rrs_rivals & like us on Facebook.
