Texas Tech Football: 5 players who earned Blitz Stickers vs. West Virginia

By Phil Poling | Oct 1, 2018

LUBBOCK, TX - SEPTEMBER 15: Head coach Kliff Kingsbury of the Texas Tech Red Raiders reacts to a defensive stop in the second half during the game against the Houston Cougars on September 15, 2018 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. Texas Tech won the game 63-49. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images) /

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LUBBOCK, TX – SEPTEMBER 29: Eli Howard #53 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders sacks Will Grier #7 of the West Virginia Mountaineers during the second half of the game on September 29, 2018 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. West Virginia defeated Texas Tech 42-34. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images) /

3. Eli Howard, Defensive Line

After not causing much pressure in the first half, Eli Howard was a force to be reckoned with in the third and fourth quarters for the Red Raiders’ defense. The Mountaineers raced up-and-down the field in the first half like a track team, but struggled mightily to move the ball at all in the second half.

Howard and the Texas Tech defense forced the Mountaineers into four punts on six second half possessions Saturday. West Virginia missed a field goal on one drive and just ran out the clock at the end of the game on the other.

The defense was getting off the field in a hurry, too. On two of the five second half drives by West Virginia, Texas Tech forced a three-and-out, that is, not allowing a single first down. This kept Will Grier & Co. out of rhythm and on the sideline.

Howard added a huge sack in the second half after failing to get a hand on Grier in the first. It was evident the Heisman-hopeful from Morgantown was flustered as Tech shut him out in the second half.

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