Texas Tech University Athletics
Through The Smoke: UTEP Week
September 03, 2019 | Football
Lubbock, Texas – The Texas Tech football team's 35-point win over Montana State on Saturday came as no surprise to Red Raider faithful.
Tech entered the matchup with a 20-1 all-time record against FCS opponents and, as they did Saturday, had reached the 40-point mark in each of their last seven meetings with FCS programs.
But, if you move past the final score and dig into the "how" of Texas Tech's 45-10 victory to open the Matt Wells era, you'd find a few differences between what Tech fans have grown accustomed to in recent memory and what the Red Raiders did on Saturday.
Head coach Matt Wells was pleased with his team's start to the game, scoring on its first two opening drives for a quick 14-0 lead. But, it was his defense that stuck out.
"The first I think five series, three-and-outs on defense," Wells said. "That's a good way to start the game. I thought Broderick set the tone with a TFL on the first third-and-short play for us. I think kind of set the tone on defense."
Tech held Montana State to 2-of-16 on third down conversions and limited the Bobcats to only 289 yards of total offense, the fewest for an opponent in a season opener since Northwestern State in 2011.
"They had 15 possessions, 10 times they had absolutely no chance to score," Wells stated. "Eight three-and-outs on the day, two fourth-down stops. That will be the kind of production we need every single week to be able to play great defense, change the culture around here on defense."
"UTEP has a coaching staff that's very veteran, some that I am very familiar with. Dana Dimel is a veteran coach that is a very good football coach, has hired very good guys around him. All three coordinators I know."
Patterson Grades Defense a "B"
Defensive coordinator Keith Patterson felt his unit had a solid effort overall, but noted a few things that he wants his group to clean up.
"A lot of technical things," Patterson said. "From on-snap footwork to pass distribution. Gave up too many explosive plays for me."
Patterson expects a similar look against the Miners to what the Red Raiders saw against Montana State.
"To see 21 personnel and 12 personnel formations, it's like playing back when I played," he said of their more run-heavy sets. "They're a more traditional style of football. They're going to try to run the football. Once they establish the run, they're going to play-action shot. We just have to be sound in technique and trust our training."
Offense Wants To Go Even Faster
On the other side of the ball, the tempo was fast as ever as the Red Raiders piled up 691 yards of offense and 436 yards through the air, both of which rank third in the nation.
But, it was a ground assault of 255 yards on 6.4 yards per attempt that was the story as the rushing total marked the most in a season opener this century.
"When we went fast, tempo-wise, we were pretty good," Yost said. "There were multiple times that Montana State was able to not be in their stance and get their hand down before we snapped it, where we could have snapped it with their hand up."
The Red Raiders will look for a 2-0 start this Saturday as they take on UTEP (1-0) at 7 p.m. from inside Jones AT&T Stadium.
Tech entered the matchup with a 20-1 all-time record against FCS opponents and, as they did Saturday, had reached the 40-point mark in each of their last seven meetings with FCS programs.
But, if you move past the final score and dig into the "how" of Texas Tech's 45-10 victory to open the Matt Wells era, you'd find a few differences between what Tech fans have grown accustomed to in recent memory and what the Red Raiders did on Saturday.
Head coach Matt Wells was pleased with his team's start to the game, scoring on its first two opening drives for a quick 14-0 lead. But, it was his defense that stuck out.
"The first I think five series, three-and-outs on defense," Wells said. "That's a good way to start the game. I thought Broderick set the tone with a TFL on the first third-and-short play for us. I think kind of set the tone on defense."
Tech held Montana State to 2-of-16 on third down conversions and limited the Bobcats to only 289 yards of total offense, the fewest for an opponent in a season opener since Northwestern State in 2011.
"They had 15 possessions, 10 times they had absolutely no chance to score," Wells stated. "Eight three-and-outs on the day, two fourth-down stops. That will be the kind of production we need every single week to be able to play great defense, change the culture around here on defense."
Next up, UTEP heads to Lubbock after escaping with a 36-34 win over Houston Baptist last week. Despite the tight outcome, Wells is prepared to face a well-coached Miner squad.Living in the backfield.
— Texas Tech Football (@TexasTechFB) August 31, 2019
??#WreckEm?? pic.twitter.com/a0tPxH0Tjg
"UTEP has a coaching staff that's very veteran, some that I am very familiar with. Dana Dimel is a veteran coach that is a very good football coach, has hired very good guys around him. All three coordinators I know."
Patterson Grades Defense a "B"
Defensive coordinator Keith Patterson felt his unit had a solid effort overall, but noted a few things that he wants his group to clean up.
"A lot of technical things," Patterson said. "From on-snap footwork to pass distribution. Gave up too many explosive plays for me."
Patterson expects a similar look against the Miners to what the Red Raiders saw against Montana State.
"To see 21 personnel and 12 personnel formations, it's like playing back when I played," he said of their more run-heavy sets. "They're a more traditional style of football. They're going to try to run the football. Once they establish the run, they're going to play-action shot. We just have to be sound in technique and trust our training."
Swarm.
— Texas Tech Football (@TexasTechFB) September 3, 2019
- 8?? three-and-outs forced
- 8?? first downs allowed (fewest since 2012)
- 7?? TFL (most in an opener since 2017)
??#WreckEm?? pic.twitter.com/NyVCM3LV5R
Offense Wants To Go Even Faster
On the other side of the ball, the tempo was fast as ever as the Red Raiders piled up 691 yards of offense and 436 yards through the air, both of which rank third in the nation.
But, it was a ground assault of 255 yards on 6.4 yards per attempt that was the story as the rushing total marked the most in a season opener this century.
"When we went fast, tempo-wise, we were pretty good," Yost said. "There were multiple times that Montana State was able to not be in their stance and get their hand down before we snapped it, where we could have snapped it with their hand up."
The Red Raiders will look for a 2-0 start this Saturday as they take on UTEP (1-0) at 7 p.m. from inside Jones AT&T Stadium.
When you lead the @Big12Conference in Total Offense & 3rd Down Defense... ?????? pic.twitter.com/oQHcSkjYI9
— Texas Tech Football (@TexasTechFB) September 3, 2019
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