3 Final takeaways From Texas Tech’s Bowl victory over Mississippi State

Texas Tech football entered the Liberty Bowl as losers of three of their last four games. Mississippi State entered the game coming off of a tough loss to instate-rival Ole Miss in the Egg Bowl.

Sonny Cumbie took over the reins as interim head coach for the Red Raiders after the firing of Matt Wells following a home loss to Kansas State. Cumbie, a former quarterback under Mike Leach at Texas Tech, led the Red Raiders to a decisive 34-7 victory in the Liberty Bowl over Mississippi State, Leach’s current team. Here are three takeaways from Texas Tech’s victory.

1. Mississippi State’s “Air Raid” offensive attack gets ground.

The Red Raiders defense ranked 118th out of 130 FBS schools against the pass. Mississippi State ranked in the Top 5 in passing offense, very typical of a Mike Leach offense. Without its 2 starting tackles, a reshuffled offensive line struggled in pass protection.

Its inability to pick up the stunts and twists from the Red Raiders defensive front kept quarterback Will Rogers from ever getting in a rhythm. After only tallying 16 sacks in the previous 12 games, the Red Raiders got to Rogers four times.

Rogers, who’d passed for 300+ yards in every game except an early-season victory against N.C. State, passed for a season-low 290 yards. That ended a streak of 10 consecutive games with 300+ yards passing, tied for the 3rd longest in FBS since 2004.

2. Texas Tech gets physical.

Texas Tech entered the game averaging 150 YPG on the ground. The Red Raiders ran for over half of their season average on the opening drive that was capped off by a Tahj Brooks 19-yard touchdown run. They would rush for 179 yards in the first half, eclipsing the season average of rushing yards allowed by Mississippi State. Brooks finished the game with 107 yards on 16 carries. SaRodorick Thompson also got in on the action, finishing with 80 yards on 14 carries and a touchdown.

Mississippi State enter the game ranked 10th in FBS against the run. Their active front four has caused fits all season against some of the best offenses in the country.

The Bulldogs’ defense held their opponent to under 100 yards rushing on six different occasions. But down several key defensive players, the Red Raiders were able to take advantage up front and control the pace of the game. The Red Raiders rushed for a season-high 260 yards, the most rushing yards allowed in a game by Mississippi State all season.

3. Turnover battle at the Liberty Bowl

Football games are often decided on the battle of the turnovers. This game proved no different. Mississippi State, 3. Texas Tech, 0.

It’s simple. One team turned the ball over multiple times. Their opponent did not. Austin Williams muffed a punt deep in Bulldogs territory with under a minute to play in the first half, leading to a field goal and a 13-7 halftime lead for Texas Tech.

Will Rogers’s deep pass on 3rd and 3 sailed right into the hands of Eric Monroe, his second interception of the season. Texas Tech would cash in with another touchdown run to put the game on ice. On their very next drive, the Bulldogs would fumble away the ball yet again.

Texas Tech’s 34-7 victory over Mississippi State marked the first bowl win for the Red Raiders since the 2013 Holiday Bowl when they defeated Arizona State.