Through The Smoke: Battle for the Saddle Trophy
November 14, 2019 | Football
The Texas Tech-TCU Rivalry
The Red Raiders and Horned Frogs will once again face off with one another in what has become a tightly-contested rivalry over recent years.This will be the third year since Texas Tech and TCU renewed the Battle for the Saddle Trophy, which was originally presented to the winning team from 1961-70 before it suddenly disappeared. The two schools created a replica trophy prior to the 2017 meeting. The trophy currently resides in Lubbock following a 17-14 Tech victory a year ago in Fort Worth.
The Tech and TCU connections run deep between the two coaching staffs. Matt Wells was the quarterback at Utah State when TCU head coach Gary Patterson was the secondary coach for the Aggies. Patterson spent three seasons in Logan, Utah, as his tenure began during Wells' true freshman season in 1992. Both Wells and Patterson led Utah State to their first bowl win in school history at the 1993 Las Vegas Bowl II following a Big West Conference title.
The connections between the two schools don't end with the head coaches, as Patterson previously worked with Texas Tech associate head coach and special teams coordinator Mark Tommerdahl as the two were both on staff at New Mexico in 1997. Patterson was the Lobos' defensive coordinator and safeties coach, while Tommerdahl was the special teams and tight ends coach. The two would later work together at TCU from 1998-00 as Tommerdahl held the same responsibilities as he had in New Mexico. Patterson, meanwhile, was TCU's defensive coordinator the first two seasons before being promoted to head coach in 2000.
Additionally, Texas Tech fans will see several familiar faces on the opposing sideline Saturday as TCU co-offensive coordinator Sonny Cumbie, defensive coordinator Chad Glasgow and offensive line coach Chris Thomsen all either played at Texas Tech in Cumbie's case or were former staff members. Cumbie remains one of the top quarterbacks in school history as he threw for 4,742 yards as a Red Raider senior in 2004. He led the Red Raiders to a 70-35 rout of TCU that season and still remains among the top-10 leaders on the school's single-season passing yards, yards per game, pass attempts and completion charts.
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Duffey's Breakout Performance
It was last year's Thursday-night matchup with TCU in Fort Worth where Duffey truly made a name for himself. Duffey made his first career start against the Horned Frogs, where he finished the day going 13-of-24 passing with 190 yards and a touchdown. He also made plays on the ground, rushing 16 times for 83 yards, including a crucial 28-yard scamper with 7:02 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Duffey's performance in 2018 played a crucial role in Tech's road victory and brought the Saddle Trophy back to Lubbock for the first time since 1970.
The signal caller has shown tremendous growth in 2019 since being thrust into starting duties against Oklahoma State. In his five starts, Duffey has completed 69.9 percent of his passes after throwing for 1,650 yards and 10 touchdowns with only two interceptions. With 424 yards passing against OSU and 362 at Baylor, he became the first Red Raider quarterback to throw for at least 350 yards in consecutive Big 12 games since Patrick Mahomes II did so against both Texas (367) and Oklahoma State (361) in 2016.
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Defensive Playmakers
Red Raider linebacker and safety Jordyn Brooks and Douglas Coleman III once again proved why they are two of the top defensive players in the country this season a week ago in Morgantown, as Coleman picked off his FBS-leading eighth pass of the season, while Brooks recovered a fumble and totaled 11 tackles, including 2.5 for a loss.Brooks enters this weekend ranked second in the FBS for tackles for loss per game (2.0), fourth in solo tackles per game (6.7) and seventh in total tackles per game (10.9).
Coleman is the national leader in interceptions. His eight this season place him in a tie for second all-time on both the Texas Tech and Big 12 single-season charts.
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Trust the plan.
— Texas Tech Football (@TexasTechFB) November 12, 2019
Continue to FIGHT.
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Fast Starts
Head coach Matt Wells has stressed the importance of starting fast this season in conference play, and his team has answered the call. Tech has been impressive over the opening 15 minutes this season as the Red Raiders are outscoring opponents, 72-27, in the first quarter.Tech has shut out opponents in the first quarter in six of nine games thus far as Oklahoma, Iowa State and Baylor are the only three schools who have found the scoreboard this season.
Even more impressive, Tech has forced either a 3-and-out or takeaway on the opening drive in six of nine game so far.
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Players Mentioned
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/ FootballWill Jados Media Availability
Tuesday, September 02
Reggie Virgil Media Availability
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Lee Hunter Media Availability
Tuesday, September 02
Amier Boyd Media Availability
Tuesday, September 02