Game Thoughts: Red Raiders defeat Bears on Last-Second FG

Photo cc: John E. Moore III/Getty Images

Yes, the win vs Baylor was big, especially being down 20-6 to start the third quarter. Honestly, I was about to turn the game off until Taj Brooks ran one in, bringing Tech back into the game. Since I’m a defense-minded guy, I was smiling more and more. DC Keith Patterson and his defense continue to develop and perform. Oh, and K Johnathan Garibay had quite the game. 

Let’s get into what happened –  

Stats to know 

The first stat you need to know is Tech did not have a single touchdown pass from either Bowman or Colombi – 

Welp, very underwhelming, isn’t it? Look for shared duties to continue to finish the season. Bowman finished the game with 181 yards – a hundred more than Colombi. 

Checking third-down conversions, you can see that Yost still hasn’t posted any rebound numbers, going 6 of 16. A win vs Baylor slightly eclipses this stat, but Yost is still sitting on a burning chair. 

High Steppers of the Game

Colin Schooler is now looking like that big transfer we knew he was. The sunshine hair was everywhere – racking up 11 tackles, and a sack. And if you haven’t seen this – Schooler blows up QB Brewer (and a TE), preventing a touchdown. 

Looks like hit-of-the-year material to me. Each time Schooler posts high tackling marks, the defense plays better. Funny how that works.   

SR-LB Rico Jeffers stepped it up a notch adding a sack, tfl to his 7 total tackles. His performance, along with Schooler, solidify the linebacking corp as the team seeks to finish the 2020 schedule. Jeffers and Schooler are jelling at exactly the right time with Oklahoma State next.

Zech McPhearson is a secondary stud. He’s playing like a clear first-team All-Big 12 selection and an All-American candidate. McPhearson continues to shine, cementing himself as a leader among the defense.    

McPhearson added his third interception of the year vs Baylor, while also notching four tackles, one pd. His play will help set the pace for the defense as the season closes. Oh, and watch his draft stock – it’s rising.  

When fully healthy, Tech has shown to have a stable of capable backs. With SaRodorick Thompson, Xavier White, and Taj Brooks healthy, the running back by committee needs to continue. The QB position is currently a duo, so the running game should get more of the offensive load in the final two games.  

Taj Brooks continues to surprise as a freshman –

Jonathan Garibay is today’s version of Matt Williams with a game-winning FG and the game ball –  

The junior kicker came into the Baylor game replacing Trey Wolff without a FG on the season. Think he was nervous? His 4 of 4 FGs performance (48, 28, 46 & 25) sure didn’t show it. Garibay is going to have celebrity status this week on campus. He deserves it. Big12 Special Teams Player of the Week isn’t too shabby –

The Take

The win was great for the team and fans. The defense needs to continue to lead and give the offense opportunities. Schooler, Jeffers, and McPhearson will have to be at their best going into the Oklahoma State game. A win vs Okie would be the fuel Wells needs to permanently calm the storm of 2020. Look for the next two weeks of practice to be the biggest of the season.

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