Texas Tech football snagged a 33-10 win over Abilene Christian, a gritty, workmanlike victory to kick off their season. But while the final score screams “mission accomplished,” don’t let it distract you from the nagging feeling that crept back in, the one that tells you some old demons are still haunting the Red Raiders. Even with a new season and some fresh faces, that pesky red zone problem from last year popped up again, and if you watched the game, you saw it clear as day.
The Offense Got Rolling, For a Bit
Early on, things looked promising, didn’t they? Texas Tech’s offense was humming, putting together a couple of methodical drives right out of the gate. We saw Quinten Joyner rumble in for a rushing touchdown on his very first official touch as a Red Raider, and J’Koby Williams found the end zone himself with another run. It felt like a full-blown “tail-whooping” was destined for the Wildcats, a clean sweep, no question about the outcome. Offensive coordinator Mack Leftwich kept it conservative, smart even, mixing up the run and the pass. They moved the ball downfield with hardly any resistance from ACU’s defense, racking up a solid 471 total yards. Will Hammond, the signal-caller, wasn’t airing it out much, opting for check-downs to Williams whenever a deep shot wasn’t there. For the most part, it worked to move the chains.
But Then the Field Goal Fest Started
Here’s where the head-scratching really began. After those initial two scores, the Red Raiders found themselves in the red zone three more times. Think about that: three drives, all stalled right when it mattered most. One trip was even just outside the 20-yard line, practically a chip shot if they could just punch it in. Instead of celebrating six points, we watched Stone Harrington trot out for field goal attempts each time. Now, having a reliable kicker like Harrington? That’s a total luxury, no doubt. But *having* to rely on him that often when you’re knocking on the door of the end zone? That’s the real issue, and it’s one we know all too well. Last season, folks pointed fingers at Behren Morton, saying he couldn’t rifle those passes through tight windows. Well, guess what? Hammond faced the exact same problem in this game, and the play calls themselves just weren’t generating enough traction to get the ball those crucial extra yards.
So, yeah, it’s just one game. We get it. This could totally be a blip on the radar, an early season hiccup they fix. Or, and this is the part that keeps you up at night, it could be the wake-up call Texas Tech desperately needed to iron out this fundamental flaw. What’s clear is that the Red Raiders haven’t turned the corner in the red zone just yet. They’ve got to find answers, and fast, because relying on three points when six are right there isn’t going to cut it as the season rolls on.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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