What a tale of two halves it was for the Texas Tech offense on Saturday. After not touching the ball until eventually there was around 3 minutes remaining in the 1st quarter, Tech discovered on their own in a 21-7 gap and not significantly offensive output aside from a couple of big performs.

The 2nd 50 percent observed the offense wake up in a massive way and set up 24 details en route to a 38-21 earn at NRG stadium to open up the time. Erik Ezukanma completed with 7 receptions for 179 yards, and Tahj Brooks additional 134 yards and 2 touchdowns to enable deliver a greater part of the offensive manufacturing.

So how did the offense complete by place? Here’s a glimpse at what I noticed from the Pink Raiders on Saturday evening.

Quarterbacks: A

Tyler Shough was the lone quarterback to take snaps for the Purple Raiders, and boy did he exhibit out in his to start with game in the red and black. He in no way actually set the ball in a lousy location, and gave his men possibilities to go up and use their dimension to bring the ball in. His command of the offense was essential, and he was capable to get up from some quite massive pictures from the Houston move-hurry.

We realized that he was reasonably cellular from his tape at Oregon, but boy was that touchdown operate wonderful to see. Being able to use his dual-risk capability as a way to open up up lanes for our working backs and draw the protection in to absolutely free up some deep shots will be substantial for our offense going ahead.

Working Backs: B

If this was an specific grading process, I would give Tahj Brooks an A+ for how amazing he was at acquiring the open lanes in the running activity and using his dimension and pace to operate above and run away from the Houston protection. When he didn’t get a reception on the working day, viewing him operate a handful of routes to retain the defense genuine was good to see.

Considering the fact that this is not an specific grading system, I have to give the Working Back home a good B these days thanks to Xavier White’s lost fumble. It is one issue to fumble the ball but have the offense get better it, it’s devastating to have the protection recover specially when you’re at the 2 yard line. You could even throw Chadarius Townsend’s fumble on the kickoff return that the Purple Raiders recovered in as very well as he is a functioning back again.

I will say that I didn’t like the plan to operate a hurry-up offense right after Ezukanma’s large perform, which still left White in at jogging back again shut to the objective line in 11 personnel (1 functioning back again, 1 tight conclusion, 3 receivers). I imagine putting Tahj Brooks into the match, who is far more suitable again for that scenario, would’ve been superior for Tech’s likelihood even if it would’ve given Houston a possibility to change staff as perfectly.

White didn’t truly conduct that effectively in the passing recreation either, catching 4 passes for a total of 4 yards.

Over-all, Brooks functionality was wonderful and is a bright indication for the foreseeable future, but you have to hold onto the soccer.

Huge Receivers: B+

The receivers are a similar story to the operating backs, with 1 male carrying the total load and the many others not capable to discover their groove through the recreation. Ezukanma is just one of the best receivers in the country, and proved it with his skill right after the catch to go together with his soar ball ability.

Kaylon Geiger and Myles Value were on the subject far more than the rest of the guys and took a back seat because of to Houston dominating time of possession and Ezukanma getting in the most targets and receptions. Trey Cleveland, McLane Mannix, Dalton Rigdon and J.J. Sparkman also saw some time on the exterior, with Rigdon and Cleveland being the only two to log a reception.

Subsequent 7 days ought to be a much extra successful 1 for this receiving space that will look to capitalize on their opportunities at a considerably larger charge.

Tight Finishes: B+

Texas Tech has been missing in generation from the limited finish team for very some time now. If this opening game is a sign of just about anything, it’s that Tech is searching to alter that narrative starting off now. The two Travis Koontz and Mason Tharp observed by themselves on the subject pretty a little bit, with Koontz staying the most important person.

When he did not gentle up the stat sheet in the acquiring recreation, Koontz experienced an effect in the running recreation where by he observed himself in a fullback placement from time to time lead blocking for a jogging video game that showed out. Tharp generally lined up on the outside in a receiver placement and did not get any catches, but his 6”9 body genuinely showed as he was significantly taller than any person on the opposing group.

I would like to see Koontz utilised more in the shorter video game as the time goes on and for Tharp to get a several targets his way to see how he is with the ball in his hands.

Offensive Line: C

When your quarterback receives sacked three instances, you are normally not going to have a superior grade at the conclusion of the day.

The go blocking was atrocious for a big element of the first half but seemed to improve much far more with some fifty percent time adjustments. T.J. Storment locked down the remaining facet which was good to see from the TCU transfer, but Caleb Rogers left a lot to be wanted on the correct side where by he was continuously supplying up some type of pressure in the passing recreation. The inside appeared to manage Latrell Bankston really nicely as he didn’t have significantly of an impression on the video game at all.

The run blocking was a significantly various tale, as these guys opened up some huge holes for Brooks to just take benefit of on his way to a massive recreation. Houston could not look to get off of their blocks and Brooks was often not even remaining touched till he was a handful of yards downfield which is what you like to see.

Playcalling/Gameplan: B

At the conclusion of the working day the offense put up 31 points, which I pointed out all through the offseason as a key for this workforce if they wished to have a shot at winning some huge online games. The initial half lack of creation could be chalked up to the protection not getting capable to get off the subject, as perfectly as the distinctive teams device giving up an onside kick that gave Houston all of the momentum. Although I did love looking at Ezukanma get a vast majority of the targets, I would’ve preferred to have witnessed a couple extra deep pictures in specific scenarios that could get advantage of the top of this obtaining corp.

The 2nd 50 percent was a enormous advancement from the first, as it was the Ezukanma/Brooks demonstrate that helped lead us to victory. Allowing for Shough to use his legs was one thing that I genuinely wished to see Sonny Cumbie do on celebration which he did, and it led to a nice touchdown operate.

Feeding the playmakers will be the important for this offense likely ahead, along with producing positive to be much more varied in the passing recreation as groups will get started to shade towards Ezukanma in an endeavor to take him out of the gameplan. Why Houston left him on an island the overall sport is past me but you won’t see me complain about it at any time.