Texas Tech’s second-half adjustments fend off Kansas football’s comeback effort
LUBBOCK, Texas − Kansas entered halftime down 27-21 following two second-quarter touchdowns. The Jayhawks were set to receive the second-half kick with some momentum behind their backs.
The offense tallied 341 total yards in the first half. The Jayhawks hit on plays of 66, 60, 33, 31 and 63 yards.
In the second half the Jayhawks had only one play for more than 30 yards (Ky Thomas’ 40-yard rush with three minutes to go) and wound up losing 43-28.
“As good as those were, which are great and are things we strive for,” Kansas coach Lance Leipold said about the explosive plays, “I don’t know if our play-in and play-out consistency was where it needed to be, especially in the second half.”
Leipold said Texas Tech’s pressure and alignment were different in the second half and credited the Red Raiders for their adjustments.
Leipold continued and said Texas Tech’s pressure caused issues for the Kansas offense to get into rhythm.
Texas Tech’s pressure for most of the season comes by way of linebacker Tyree Wilson. Leipold said they worked in some protections to bring help to Wilson’s side before he left the game with an injury.
Kansas center Mike Novitsky said it was difficult to consistently execute or find a rhythm. Tight end Mason Fairchild attributed the Jayhawks’ inability to get going to mistakes on their end.
“I feel like it was one of those things where we just couldn’t get out of our own way,” Fairchild said. “Every time we were starting to get into a rhythm we shoot ourselves in the foot. So got to keep eliminating our bad (ball) and we’ll move on, we’ll learn from this and we’ll be better because of it.”
Kansas totaled 10 penalties on the day for 75 yards. Four of those were in the second half of the game and made up 35 yards of the total.
Novitsky said the amount of penalties were unacceptable and were due to a number of things.
"That could be a multitude of things — lack of focus, not really focusing on the details or maybe it’s something you really didn’t pay attention to in practice and now it came up when the lights are bright," Novitsky said. "There’s a bunch of different reasons we hurt ourselves but we can’t do it. That’s not acceptable."
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Texas Tech’s second-half adjustments fend off Kansas' comeback effort
