4. The Texas Tech D got the job done
The Mississippi State offense was missing the tackles. Future NFL Starter Charles Cross opted out, and right tackle Scott Lashley was out, too.
It mattered.
Bulldog QB Will Rogers didn’t have a whole lot of time, the passing game couldn’t get into a groove, and the Texas Tech defense was able to get off the field time and again. There were plenty of Mississippi State third down conversions, but Rogers only averaged 5.5 yards per throw with way too many plays that didn’t go anywhere.
The passing game tried to spread the ball around and get something going, but the O kept stalling in the second half, the team only scored seven points – even Kansas got 14 on the Red Raiders – and it was a total flop of a night.
The 290 passing yards were the fewest the O came up with all year, NC State and Alabama were the only teams to hold Mississippi State to fewer than 400 total yards, and Texas Tech picked the perfect time to play its best all-around defensive game of the year.
Liberty Bowl 5 Thoughts
5. Texas Tech was … physical?
3. Where was the Mississippi State defense?
2. How about giving a little love to Texas Tech?
1. Mike Leach could use a good Year 3