Quarterback health is key to success at Texas Tech

Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire looks on during the first half of an NCAA college football game against BYU, Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in Provo, Utah. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

There was a lot to be excited about in Joey McGuire's first two seasons as head coach of the Texas Tech football team.

McGuire is only the second coach in Tech history to lead the program to bowl games in his first two seasons, following the late Mike Leach. In the six years before he took over, Tech had five losing seasons and just two bowl appearances, and he changed that. And he has navigated the transfer portal well, landing a top-notch recruiting class this season.

There is still more work to be done at Tech, however, as it has been a while since the Red Raiders were among the contenders for a spot in the Big 12.

This summer, BuffZone will preview all of Colorado's opponents for the 2024 season, and in this episode we'll take a look at Texas Tech, who hosts the Buffs on November 9 in Lubbock, Texas.

Although he is not considered a title contender this year – the media predicted the Red Raiders to finish ninth in the Big 12 – McGuire enters his third season full of confidence.

However, the health of the quarterback is crucial.

“I hope to God I don't have to play with three quarterbacks this year,” he said in a recent interview with 365 Sports.

Texas Tech quarterback Behren Morton throws a pass against California during the first half of the Independence Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023, in Shreveport, Louisiana. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Due to injuries, Texas Tech was forced to use three different starting quarterbacks in 2022 and 2023. Junior Behren Morton started both seasons and is back for his junior year.

“It's really important for us to keep our quarterback healthy,” McGuire said. “I think that's one thing that can help us take the next step. We feel good about our team.”

Tech, traditionally known for its high-powered offense, took a step back last year, averaging just 27.4 points per game – the lowest average for a Tech offense since 25.3 points per game in 2000 (Leach's first year in Lubbock).

Behrens will play a key role in improving the Red Raiders' offense, but that unit will be led by star running back Tahj Brooks. He was one of the nation's best runners last year and is a key weapon in a league full of running backs.

Brooks and Morton may be back, but there have been many changes around them.

Only one offensive lineman returns and McGuire has signed three new players. The receiver group has also been revamped, with five-star rookie Micah Hudson and several transfers on the team.

On defense, the Red Raiders are happy with the linebacker duo of Ben Roberts and Jacob Rodriguez. Roberts was one of the best freshmen in the Big 12 last year and Rodriguez was highly productive when healthy but missed most of 2023 due to injury.

There are a few starters in the secondary, but Tech will rely on bringing in several young players or new additions.

Tech could also benefit from a schedule that includes seven home games and only two games against teams projected to finish in the top five of the Big 12 rankings.

“I think the biggest thing is to be more consistent on defense and keep the quarterback healthy,” McGuire said. “If we can keep him healthy, we'll be really happy with our football team.”

Texas Tech Red Raiders

Head coach: Joey McGuire, Season 3 (15-11)

Season 2023: 7-6, 5-4 Big 12; beat California in the Independence Bowl

Series with CU: Draw 5-5

The game

WHO: Colorado Buffaloes at Texas Tech Red Raiders

When: Saturday, November 9, time to be announced

Where: Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas

Texas Tech running back Tahj Brooks (28) runs for a first down against California during the second half of the Independence Bowl NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023, in Shreveport, Louisiana. Texas Tech won 34-14. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

5 guys to keep an eye on

S CJ Baskerville: Baskerville transferred from San Diego State last year and started 10 games for the Red Raiders as a starter and safety. He finished second on the team with 78 tackles, along with 4.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions and five pass breakups.

Running Back Tahj Brooks: Had a standout season in 2023, rushing for 1,538 yards and 10 touchdowns and earning first-team All-Big 12 honors. He ranked fourth nationally in rushing yards (118.31 per game) and caught 29 passes for 72 yards.

WR Josh Kelly: Caught 61 passes for 923 yards and eight touchdowns last year at Washington State. As a sixth-year senior who played four years at Fresno State, he caught 148 passes for 2,228 yards and 12 TDs in his career.

QB Behren Morton: As a backup at the beginning of the 2022 season, he took over the role of starter in the fifth game. He eventually started eight games and completed 62% of his passes for 1,757 yards, 15 touchdowns and eight interceptions.

Linebacker Ben Roberts: Named the Big 12's Co-Defensive Freshman of the Year last year. Led the Red Raiders with 107 tackles, including 6.5 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and one interception.

Good to know

• Tahj Brooks is seventh in Texas Tech history with 3,052 rushing yards. He is 1,168 yards shy of becoming the school's all-time leader. Byron Hanspard (1994-96) currently holds the record with 4,219 yards.

• Texas Tech has made a bowl appearance each of the past three seasons, the program's longest winning streak since the 11-year streak from 2000-2010.

• Receiver Drae McCray was on the preseason All-Big 12 list as a returner. He averaged 27.6 yards per kickoff return in 2023 and caught 29 passes for 255 yards on offense.

• Former Fresno State head coach Tim DeRuyter begins his third season as Tech's defensive coordinator. The Red Raiders gave up 30.2 points per game in 2021 before he arrived. That average dropped to 29.2 in 2022 and 26.0 in 2023.

• Zach Kittley, 32, is in his third season as offensive coordinator. He previously served as OC at Western Kentucky and Houston Baptist. Tech averaged 34.2 points in 2022 but slipped to 27.4 last year.

• According to 247Sports.com, Texas Tech had the highest-rated recruiting class in the Big 12 for the Class of 2024. The class is led by five-star receiver Micah Hudson, who is projected to be the starter.

• Gino Garcia returns as kicker after converting 16 of 22 field goals in 2023. He was 3 of 5 over 50 yards, with a longest of 55. He was 2 of 6 at one point last year before converting 14 of his final 16 field goal attempts.

• Jack Burgess was one of the best punters in the FCS last year at Weber State, averaging 44.1 yards per punt over the past two years.

Portal movement

Tech lost 23 players to the transfer portal. Most were reserve players, but there were also some significant losses, including offensive line starters Jacoby Jackson (Mississippi State) and Monroe Mills (Louisville). Two of last year's top four receivers, Jerand Bradley (Boston College) and Myles Price (Indiana), also transferred, as did former starting quarterback Tyler Shough (Louisville). On defense, the Red Raiders lost part-time starting linebacker Jesiah Pierre (Central Florida) and rotational edge Steve Linton (Baylor). In turn, Tech was able to add 16 transfers to fill holes on offense. Davion Carter (Memphis), Sterling Porcher (Middle Tennessee) and Vinny Sciury (Toledo) are all projected to start on the offensive line. Receivers Caleb Douglas (Florida) and Josh Kelly (Washington State) and tight end Jalin Conyers (Arizona State) are also projected as starters. Defensive linemen De'Braylon Carroll (Rice) and James Hansen (Nevada) and cornerback Devynn Cromwell (University of Guelph) should be rotation players, while Jack Burgess (Weber State) is expected to handle punting duties.

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Quarterback health is key to success at Texas Tech – Boulder Daily Camera

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