Aug 31, 2024; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders quarterback Behren Morton (2) drops back to pass against the Abilene Christian Wildcats in the first half at Jones AT&T Stadium and Cody Campbell Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-Imagn Images
Llamémoslo el Mike Leach Bowl.
Texas Tech and Washington State, two of the programs once coached by the late offensive genius, are scheduled to meet Saturday in Pullman, Washington, the day Leach is to be inducted into the host Cougars’ Hall of Fame.
And there should be many points.
“I’m really excited to go to Washington State and pay tribute to Mike Leach,” Texas Tech coach Joey Maguire said. “What better way to do it than to have us there.”
Leach is the winningest coach in Texas Tech history and ranks third on the list in Washington state.
The visiting Red Raiders (1-0) are coming off a 52-51 overtime win against Abilene Christian last Saturday, while the Cougars (1-0) defeated Portland State earlier in the day, 70-30. Texas Tech gained 539 yards and Washington State racked up 637.
“I think it’s exactly the same,” Cougars coach Jake Dickert said of the two offenses. “I think they do things the same way. They call the same things … it’s all going to be based on execution. I think we’re very familiar with that, but at the same time, what makes (Tech’s) offense tough is that every week it’s different. You see something one week and you can practice it, and it’s completely different in a new formation.”
The Red Raiders’ Behren Morton completed 30 of 42 passes for 378 yards (one shy of his career high) and a career-high five touchdowns, and Tahj Brooks ran for 153 yards and a touchdown. Josh Kelly, who played last season at Washington State, had 10 receptions for 156 yards and a touchdown.
Texas Tech, which was a 31 1/2-point favorite in its opener, will have to improve its defense.
“My goodness… we have a lot of things to fix to improve, and we need to do them quickly,” Maguire said.
The Cougars’ John Mateer completed 11 of 17 passes for 352 yards and five touchdowns in his opener, with Kyle Williams making four catches for 141 yards and two scores and Kris Hutson adding four catches for 101 yards and a touchdown. Wayshawn Parker had 96 yards and a touchdown on just eight carries for Washington State, which scored 49 points in the first half.
Texas Tech and Washington State will meet for the third time overall and the first since 1964, when the Red Raiders beat the Cougars for the second straight year.
–Field level media
