GAME BREAKDOWN
KEY MATCHUP: West Virginia QB Will Grier versus the Texas Tech secondary. Grier caught fire against Texas Tech last season and threw three fourth-quarter touchdowns that led the Mountaineers from an 11-point deficit to an 11-point victory. He finished with 352 passing yards and five TDs. That was the low point for a Red Raider defense that showed overall improvement last season. Texas Tech needs a total defensive effort to slow down West Virginia, but nowhere are the matchups more critical than in the secondary. Texas Tech can’t afford to let Grier get hot throwing long TD passes.
DRAFT SLANT
–LB Dakota Allen was second on the team with six total tackles in the win over Oklahoma State. His one QB hurry was his only superlative, but Allen made his presence felt near the line of scrimmage. He stuck Cowboys running back Chuba Hubbard for no gain on a second-and-three play early in the second quarter. Oklahoma State ultimately turned the ball over on down on the drive.
ROSTER REPORT:
–QB McLane Carter suffered a high ankle sprain in the first quarter versus Ole Miss and hasn’t played the last three games. Even when Carter is ready to go again, it’s unclear if he’ll be the starter with the freshman Bowman taking off.
–WR T.J. Vasher has an undisclosed injury. Kingsbury said he incurred the injury during the game and returned to action. But then the injury started to bother Vasher later. Kingsbury said he was limited in practice but hopes the WR is available Saturday.
–S Jah’Shawn Johnson returned to action after missing the first three games with a shoulder injury. He had four total tackles against Oklahoma State.
–RB Da’Leon Ward missed the last three games with a groin injury. Kingsbury said he will be a game-time decision this week.
–RB Tre King missed the Lamar and Houston games with a knee injury. He suited up against Oklahoma State, but didn’t play. However, it’s unclear whether he didn’t play against the Cowboys because of injury or because of how well the running back rotation of Demarcus Felton, Ta’Zhawn Henry and SaRodorick Thompson were playing.
–CB Octavious Morgan suffered a lower leg injury in the first scrimmage of training camp. It appears that he is out for the season, though Texas Tech hasn’t said that officially.
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