Texas Tech’s Rushing Defense was Incredible on Saturday
The Texas Tech defense did not play well this weekend. A highly productive FCS offense was highly productive throwing the ball all over the field with little to no resistance. That doesn't mean there was a lack of defense being played. According to Pro Football Focus, Krishon Merriweather was the second-best linebacker in college football against the run this weekend.
Again, the Red Raider defense looked like swiss cheese against the pass, but against the run, the Merriweather led Red Raiders were excellent. Ignoring the 572 yards passing and the four touchdowns through the air, the 28 yards allowed on the ground was really good!
Merriweather made what turned into maybe the play of the game before halftime when he stuffed the Huskies on the goal line to preserve the Red Raiders cushion, which they would need all of after being outscored in the second half 23 to 14.
To his credit, Merriweather led the Big 12 in tackles and continues the legacy of Texas Tech linebackers being recognized for good play. Dakota Allen, Jordyn Brooks, and now Merriweather make it four straight years for a Red Raider defender to get Big 12 player of the week.
From Texas Tech, it's the first time a newcomer had recorded double digits in tackles during a season opener dating back to 2000.
The Huskies were held to only 28 rushing yards in the game with just 1.2 yards-per-carry thanks in large part to Merriweather's tenacious run fast, play hard attitude. An attitude that didn't translate to success in the secondary or pass rush on Saturday.
Merriweather and his band of misfits will be back on the field against the Longhorns on Saturday, September 26th facing a team that scored 59 points against UTEP and racked up 481 yards passing and 208 rushing yards.