Texas Tech has a brand-new quarterback this season, but that’s nothing new for Red Raiders coach Kliff Kingsbury.
Kingsbury has previously shown comfort in turning the reins over to a freshman, though it didn’t hurt that in those previous instances the players were the uber-talented Baker Mayfield (2013) and Patrick Mahomes (2014). Before that, Kingsbury was the offensive coordinator at Texas A&M, where he helped Johnny Manziel become the first freshman to win the Heisman Trophy.
It’s far too early to tell if current starter Alan Bowman is on the same path as anyone in that trio, but he’s certainly off to a good start.
The Red Raiders have won all three games started by Bowman in place of McLane Carter, who was injured in the season-opening 47-27 loss to Ole Miss. The true freshman from Grapevine, Texas has thrown for 1,557 yards with 10 touchdowns and two interceptions.
Bowman’s 605 passing yards against Houston broke Mahomes’ single-game Big 12 freshman record. He hasn’t panicked much, either. Bowman didn’t throw an interception in his first 151 attempts before Oklahoma State picked him off twice last week. Those interceptions hardly mattered in a 41-17 Texas Tech upset win.
“Not surprisingly, [Kliff] found himself another young quarterback that is as good as advertised from what I’ve seen,” said West Virginia coach Dana Holgorsen. “Ever since he stepped in against Ole Miss, they’ve been playing at a very high level offensively. Kliff is doing a great job of mentoring that kid, training him, getting him ready to go, protecting him.”
Bowman has had enough time to make sound decisions. The Red Raiders offensive line has allowed four sacks this season, though three of those came at Oklahoma State.
WVU defensive coordinator Tony Gibson hopes to create pressure on Bowman this week, but knows it will be a challenge. Unlike the Kansas State game, in which he was able to blitz without remorse, Gibson has to keep defenders back to protect against Texas Tech’s quick-release pass attack.
“What we have to do is win up front,” Gibson said. “That’s easy to say, but it’s a lot harder to do when you only have three down linemen. This week is probably not going to be a time where you see four down [linemen], just because of what they do and their personnel groupings.”
West Virginia does have one thing working to its advantage.
The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal reports that Texas Tech is not optimistic about wide receiver T.J. Vasher’s chances of playing this week. Vasher sprained his knee against Oklahoma State. The 6-foot-5 target is Texas Tech’s most potent downfield threat with an average of 17.1 yards per catch. No one knows that better than the Mountaineers. Vasher burned them for touchdowns of 60 and 53 yards in last year’s meeting.
But even if Vasher doesn’t play, the Red Raiders are not devoid of weaponry. Antoine Wesley leads the Big 12 with 127.8 yards per game. Ja’Deion High is fifth in the conference with 22 receptions.
“They just continue to reload at the receiver spot with guys that can make plays,” Holgorsen said. “We have to ready for about anything with this group, and it will be a huge challenge for us defensively, and one that I know we’ll be ready for.”
Texas Tech Passer Rating under Kliff Kingsbury
2017
Vs. West Virginia: 159.82
Season: 149.51
2016
Vs. West Virginia: 131.16
Season: 157.39
2015
Vs. West Virginia: 129.49
Season: 147.03
2014
Vs. West Virginia: 141.59
Season: 139.87
2013
Vs. West Virginia: 162.82
Season: 134.68
