Texas Tech Football: Furious late rally comes up short against Texas

(Photo by John Weast/Getty Images)
(Photo by John Weast/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by John Weast/Getty Images)
(Photo by John Weast/Getty Images) /

3. Jett Duffey can’t get out of his own way

With Alan Bowman out for the game due to more complications from the collapsed lung he suffered a few weeks back, sophomore quarterback Jett Duffey got the call for the Red Raiders. There’s never been any doubt of Duffey’s talent, and that was on full display on Saturday night in Lubbock against Texas.

His moxie was also on full display, as he led his team back from a 17-point fourth quarter deficit to give them a shot to pull off an improbable victory.

I believe he’s the most talented quarterback on Tech’s roster, but he continues to be unable to get out of his own way. The knock on him has always been his propensity to make boneheaded decisions and turn the ball over at inopportune moments, and that reared its head again against the Longhorns.

He threw a backbreaking pick-six against West Virginia when he replaced an injured Bowman in September that was the difference in an eight point loss. In this game, despite some awe-inspiring plays, particularly with his legs, and a gaudy stat-line, Duffey’s mistakes proved to be the difference as Texas Tech fell to 5-5 with a loss to Texas.

Duffey led his team on a touchdown drive on their first possession, giving Tech an early 7-0 lead. He followed that up by leading them right back down the field with a golden opportunity to put Texas in an early two touchdown hole. On a second and goal from the three, Duffey attempted to throw the ball away, but didn’t get enough on the throw and it was intercepted by Texas’ Davante Davis.

He also had two costly fumbles in the second half when he was fighting for a few extra yards due to carelessness with the football. He too often doesn’t tuck the ball away, which leaves him susceptible to getting stripped. To compound matters, both fumbles happened deep in Texas territory, and were on back-to-back possessions.

Those miscues were too much for Texas Tech to overcome, despite a late furious rally, and showed further why Duffey has trouble getting on the field despite the numerous highlight reel plays.