Red Raiders Survive ACU in OT 52-51

In a game that many thought would be an afterthought, turned into a game that gave fans indigestion. Former Red Raider Maverick McIvor threw for 506 yards and 3 touchdowns but was sacked in overtime by Jayden Cofield securing a Texas Tech 52-51 win. ACU’s head coach Keith Patterson went for two and the win after scoring a touchdown in overtime. The Red Raiders secondary was decimated with the loss of outside linebacker Dylan Spencer (out for season, knee). OLB Charles Esters III (thigh), DB Javeon Wilcox (knee), OLB Joseph Adedire (knee) and DB Bralyn Lux (thigh). Lux was a late scratch forcing the Red Raiders in playing several players for the 1st time versus ACU.

Tahj Brooks was Typical Tahj with 153 yards on 27 carries and a touchdown. His longest run was for 21 yards but struggled evading initial tackles. The starting offensive line of Carter, Sciury, Wilson, Rogers and Porcher were adequate allowing only 1 coverage sack of Behren Morton. Speaking of Morton, Behren was 30-42 for 378 yards and five touchdowns. He spread the ball out to 8 different receivers including 10 catches on 15 targets by former Washington State WR Josh Kelly. Coy Eakin had two touchdowns on five catches for 76 yards. Five star wide receiver Micah Hudson was reduced to cheering on his team. Josh Kelly and Caleb Douglas were doing whatever they could when the ball was thrown to them. When asked about it in the postgame presser, McGuire told the media that he told his coaches to put their best players on the field.

Dogfight:

The defense was highly questionable allowing 17 chunk plays (gain of 15+ yards in passing or 10+ yards rushing). 12 chunk passing plays for 334 yards with 5 of these plays on 3rd down gave ACU almost enough to win. The Red Raider defense allowed touchdowns on 7/13 drives. The offense scored 6 touchdowns on 12 drives.

Coach McGuire did encourage his defense postgame telling them they are still 1-0.

Bright spots:

Behren Morton causing the stands to gasp as he went for a non designed QB rush up the middle to sighs of relief when he popped up after sliding safely.

Jalin Conyers 5 catches on 5 targets for 63 yards and a TD.

Red Raiders 3-3 on 3rd downs in the 1st quarter.

Concerns:

The defense: If Maverick McIvor can find holes in this defense, Big 12 QB’s could be drooling if changes aren’t made.

Time Management: When the Red Raiders were driving for the game leading FG they snapped the ball with 20 seconds and 15 seconds on the play clock. If ACU had 25 less seconds to play with, could they have driven down to tie it up?

Lucky bounces:

ACU deciding to the throw the ball on 2nd and 3rd down at the 4 with time running out.

Jalin Conyers converting the two point conversion in the 1st quarter.

You Get What You Get and You Don’t Throw a Fit:

During the Wyoming game last year Coach Kittley threw the ball 4 times and didn’t give it to Tahj Brooks once. This gave the media and Red Raider fans angina. After an incomplete pass to Josh Kelly which could have been picked off. Kittley gave it to Tahj three times. The Wildcats were ready. They kept him out of the end zone in all three occasions. More painful was taking the following drive 96 yards for a touchdown to cut the Red Raider lead to 32-28.

What happens next week in Washington State, nobody knows, but there is work to be done. We’ll see you next week for the Red Raider Outfitter Rockin’ Pregame 6-8P on Rock 101.1.