Sports

TTU Football Looks to Bounce-Back

graphic of a ttu football player running the ball
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TTU Football Looks to Bounce-Back After Two Straight Losses

TTU Football is looking to bounce-back after losing two straight Big 12 Conference Games against Kansas State and Oklahoma. The Red Raiders currently sit at 5-4 overall and 2-4 in the Big 12 Conference, and a win this weekend would be a signature win for the program. The game is slated for Saturday, November 13th at 2:30 pm at home in Lubbock, Texas, at Jones AT&T Stadium. 

With morale around the program up after hiring new head coach Joey McGuire. A win Saturday would begin to turn the tides and even make the Red Raiders bowl eligible. 

Iowa State Key Players

        After coming off one of their best seasons in recent years. The Cyclones currently sit at 6-2 overall and 4-2 in conference. Returning a majority of their players from last season, Iowa State has proven that they are a force to be reckoned with. 

The leader for the time this year is quarterback Brock Purdy who has thrown for 186 completions on 255 attempts. While doing so, Purdy has tallied up 2085 yards for 12 touchdowns this season alone. With a 72.9% pass completion percentage, he has shown that he can lead the Cyclone offense. On top of his already impressive passing statistics, Purdy is also a dual-threat quarterback with 63 rushes for 239 yards on the season. 

Breece Hall is the Cyclones leading rusher on the ground with 198 carries for 1121 yards on the season. Along with a 75-yard long, 14-touchdowns and averaging 5.7 yards per carry Hall has proven to be a problem against defenses. 

Through the air, Purdy’s leading receiver is senior wide receiver Xavier Hutchinson. Thus far, Hutchinson has 60 catches for 686-yards on the season and averages 11.4 yards per catch. Along with his already impressive statistics, Hutchinson also had five touchdowns and a 51-yard long and has proven to be a threat downfield. 

On the defensive side of things Jake Hummel and Mike Rose, who both play linebacker, lead the time in tackles. Hummel on the season has 57 tackles on the season with 29 solo tackles and 28 assists. Accompanied by a single interception. Rose has also contributed to the Cyclone’s defense, with 56 tackles, with 23 being solo tackles and 33 coming on assists. 

Keys to Winning

        With a plethora of weapons on both sides of the ball, there are a few things the Red Raiders are going to need to do to stop the Cyclones. On the offensive side of things, this will need to start in the trenches and play calling. If the Red Raiders can dominate the line of scrimmage and get the run game early, the linebacker core will have to respect the run game. If that is established, then the offense will have the ability to get the ball in the air receivers downfield. 

 On the defensive side of things, the run game will need to be stopped early. Hall has proven to be a problem all season long, and limiting his carries will open opportunities for the defense. If the run game is stopped, then the secondary will have to lock in. With so many weapons on the Cyclone’s offensive side of the ball, the Red Raiders will have to be at the top of their game to make critical stops. 

Overall

        Overall, TTU Football is looking to bounce-back after losing two straight Big 12 Conference Games. Those games coming against Kansas State and Oklahoma. A win against the Cyclones would make the Red Raiders bowl eligible for the first time since 2017 and is a big game for that reason. 

The game is slated for Saturday, November 13th at 2:30 pm at home in Lubbock, Texas, at Jones AT&T Stadium. Tickets for the game are still available at TexasTech.com or watch on ESPN and Texas Tech Sports Network. 

Checkout Texas Tech’s Recap against Oklahoma here!

For Texas Tech Football’s remaining schedule click here!

Story by Campus Live Employee Trint Porter

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