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Here are the top three takeaways after members of the Texas Tech staff spoke to the media on Monday:
A three-headed monster
The biggest storyline surrounding this Texas Tech season has been the quarterback battle. Tyler Shaw started four games in 2021 before suffering a broken collarbone. Donovan Smith filled his shoes in a big way, culminating in a Liberty Bowl offensive MVP win. Beren Morton is one of the most respected recruits in Red Raider history. But despite the three-man competition, offensive coordinator Zach Keightley had an unwavering confidence when discussing the starter.
“If you were in this building . . . It was very clear that Tyler Shaw had to be the QB1 here,” Keightley said.
Although Shaw has been tabbed as the starting quarterback, head coach Joey McGuire insists that all three quarterbacks will see playing time on Sept. 3 against Murray State.
“It’s going to be for the other two guys coming in for the packages,” McGuire said of Smith and Morton. “We will have a very different way of using them.”
“You’re going to see Donovan in some red zone situations.”
“I think with Beren, it can be a change of pace, we can move in the pocket with him. There’s going to be things like that where we move the pocket with him.
Although the staff has fleshed out some details surrounding the use of the three quarterbacks, the offense retains an unknown feel.
“We’ve got some surprises for a lot of people when it comes to those three quarterbacks,” McGuire said.
Big people in front
The offensive line is a big question mark for the Red Raiders heading into the 2022 season. After losing several starters for the season, there was a cautious optimism surrounding this position group a week ago.
“We’re ready to go, but it’s going to be a real battle,” McGuire said of his offensive linemen.
With a position group where consistency is often key, McGuire expects to use some of his depth in week one.
“We plan to play seven to eight offensive linemen this game,” he said.
Questions still hover around the team, especially as transfer Cole Spencer is awaiting a doctor’s decision that will keep him sidelined for the rest of the season. But despite the questions and concerns, the position group was taken positively for the development.
“I think we’re light years ahead of where we were in the spring,” McGuire said.
Defense scene
At his introductory press conference last November, McGuire proudly said that good defensive football would return to Lubbock. His defensive team has a lot to look forward to, with key starters Tyree Wilson and Darrion Taylor-Demerson returning to the field.
“I’m excited to put this defense on the field,” McGuire said.
As Texas Tech fans evaluate the improvement of the Red Raiders defense, expect the staff to match their efforts against Murray State.
“I expect them to play really hard when it comes to the defensive side of the ball,” McGuire said of the Races.
Defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter said his team is still adjusting to the pace of the game, but Saturday should set the tone for the rest of the season.
“I want to see our guys play hard with confidence,” DeRuyter said.
“I expect there will be some changes, not everything will be reduced, but we have to play as fast as we have since we have been here.”
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