AdvoCare V100 Texas Bowl: LSU Vs Texas Tech

Earlier in the season, the Red Raiders played one of the nation’s most hard three-game stretches that included a win at previously ranked Arkansas and back-to-back losses to consecutive top-5 ranked teams in No. 3 TCU (55-52 loss at home) and No. 5 Baylor (63-35 loss at AT&T Stadium in Arlington).

Now, Texas Tech’s defense isn’t exactly what the LSU Tigers are used to seeing during the regular season in the SEC, with the Red Raiders entering the game at No. 126 overall in defensive stats and one of the worst at run defense.

Patrick Mahomes threw for 370 yards and four touchdowns for Texas Tech, but was under heavy pressure all night.

LSU scored 21 points in the third quarter to take 42-20 lead into the fourth quarter.

Texas Tech’s best play all game was for Patrick Mahomes to frantically scramble away from a four-man rush, evade someone’s grasp, then throw across his body to a receiver running a crossing route to the other side of the field.

Fournette finished the game with 256 total yards (212 rushing, 44 receiving) and five touchdowns. Goff became the conference’s all-time leader in passing touchdowns (42), and passing yards (4,719).

Quarterback Brandon Harris returned to his midseason form as he completed 13 of 22 passes for 254 yards with a touchdown and rushed three times for 41 yards with a 26-yard touchdown run.

“This is a night that Leonard Fournette would have again and again and again”, Miles said. Texas Tech’s concerns over Fournette, while valid, proved to be costly at times. Grant is averaging 17.5 yards every time he touches the ball, the best in the nation for any player with at least 85 plays.

“I’m really, really pleased to get this win over a very good Richmond team”, Texas Tech coach Tubby Smith said. The Red Raiders claimed a 34-31 win that day over Minnesota on December 29, 2012. Texas Tech (7-6) finished with 29 yards on the ground.

The bigger the hole for Texas Tech – as shown all season – the more Mahomes was relied upon to bring the game in and the more he became less efficient. In addition to Fournette, LSU running back DJ Chark found ways to run with the ball, including a 79-yard touchdown in which he was hardly touched.

Scrutiny of rushing yards per attempt has the discrepancy prominence in favor of the Bengal Tigers by.2.

After those comments from Fournette and honestly, a good hard helping of reality, I’m now of the opinion that LSU hasn’t been screwing around and will be ready for this game.

Fournette added scoring runs of 43, four and two yards in the second half, setting a Texas Bowl individual record by scoring 30 points. Big plays were not in short supply.

Miles said perhaps the most outstanding performer for the Tigers was defensive back Devin Voorhies, who won the calf roping event for LSU. Fournette will be running behind an offensive line with four returning starters, and the LSU defense will lose only three senior starters.

But what about some of the challenges the LSU defense faces against Texas Tech?

“We didn’t get it done tonight, obviously”, North Carolina coach Larry Fedora said.

Zach Smith will try to keep his hot streak going Tuesday when Texas Tech hosts a Richmond team that features its own talented forward.

Plus, Tech won’t run into Fournette again.