Allison: Four touchdown passes. A career-best 173 rushing yards. And a stunned undefeated record left in Cincinnati.
Derek: We predicted a defensive battle, 24-17. We were wrong. We were spectacularly wrong.
Allison: Welcome to the Beatline Podcast Network, Texas Tech fans! I’m Allison, and this is your daily reaction show.
Derek: And I’m Derek. We are breaking down the 37-24 loss to Cincinnati, looking at where things went sideways for Will Hammond and the offense, and what this means for our upcoming matchup with Arizona.
Allison: So, here is what we’re tackling today: First, we react to the final score and dissect the offensive struggles against JC French IV. Second, we look at the defensive standouts and the special teams play that kept us in it longer than expected. And third, we look ahead to next Saturday’s home game against the Arizona Wildcats.
Derek: It was supposed to be a low-scoring grind. Instead, it was an offensive showcase by Cincinnati. Let’s get into it.
Allison: Okay, Derek, let’s start with the elephant in the room. We talked about ball security all week. We talked about J'Koby Williams carrying the load if things got tough. But honestly? The offense just couldn't get any rhythm against that Cincinnati secondary.
Derek: Right. And you have to give credit to Cincinnati’s front seven. Patrick Bauer had two sacks, which disrupted the timing completely. When Will Hammond gets pressured like that, he starts forcing throws, and that’s when the INT happens.
Allison: Hammond finished 24 of 37 for 227 yards and one interception. It’s not a terrible line on paper, but in context, it felt sluggish. Did you see the pressure from Bauer?
Derek: I did. Bauer was consistently winning his one-on-one matchups. Hammond tried to extend plays, which is good instinct, but it led to negative gains or incomplete passes. You can’t beat a team with four touchdown passes from their QB by playing tentative.
Allison: And speaking of JC French IV—he threw four touchdowns! That is a career day for him. How do you slow down a quarterback who is seeing the field that clearly?
Derek: You don’t, not if you’re missing tackles in the open field. French IV wasn’t just throwing deep; he was hitting intermediate routes. Zylan Perry only had four catches for 43 yards, but those were critical third-down conversions that kept the drive alive.
Allison: What about the run game? J’Koby Williams had 12 carries for 81 yards. That’s nearly seven yards per carry, which is efficient, but it didn’t seem to matter because Cincinnati was always three steps ahead.
Derek: Exactly. Cole Tabb rushed for 173 yards on 16 carries. That is absurd efficiency. Tech’s defense couldn’t contain the edge, and once Tabb got going, the play-action became lethal for French IV. You can’t stop the run, you’re giving up easy completions.
Allison: It’s frustrating because we knew they were good on the ground, but 173 yards is a lot. Did the offensive line struggle with the zone blocking scheme?
Derek: It looked like they were getting pushed back at the point of attack. Without establishing the run early, the passing game became predictable. Hammond had to throw to catch up, and that’s when turnovers happen.
Allison: So, in retrospect, our prediction of a 24-17 defensive battle was way off base. This was an offensive shootout that Tech lost because they couldn’t match Cincinnati’s firepower.
Derek: Way off. And it’s a wake-up call. You can’t rely on J’Koby Williams to win games alone if the passing game is stagnant. We need more balance, and we need better protection for Hammond.
Allison: Let’s shift gears now. Even in a loss, there were bright spots. A.J. Holmes Jr. had 1.5 sacks, and Ben Roberts had 11 total tackles. Those are huge individual performances.
Derek: Absolutely. Holmes Jr. was a nightmare for French IV at times. He got penetration in the backfield, which forced some quick throws. But one thing he couldn’t fix was the coverage behind him.
Allison: And Ben Roberts was everywhere. Eleven tackles is a monster stat line. Did you feel like the linebackers were over-pursuing?
Derek: Sometimes. Jasper Beeler had 11 tackles for Cincinnati too, so both middle lines of defense were active. But Tech’s issue was lateral movement. Once Tabb hit the second level, there wasn’t enough pursuit to bring him down.
Allison: Let’s talk about special teams. Peyton Morgan had a 53-yard interception return for a touchdown, but the two-point conversion failed. That was a momentum swing right there.
Derek: That was huge. If Tech converts that two-point play, the score is much closer, and the psychology of the game changes. But failing it gave Cincinnati confidence and extended the lead.
Allison: On the flip side, Stone Harrington kicked two field goals for Cincinnati, including a 48-yarder. Stephen Rusnak also added a couple for the Bearcats. Special teams overall seemed to favor Cincinnati.
Derek: Yeah, the kicking game was solid for them, but the real difference maker was that turnover return. It’s a highlight-reel play that shifts the entire complexion of a game.
Allison: What about the roster battles? With Will Hammond starting, how does this performance impact his standing moving forward? Is there any pressure building?
Derek: Pressure is always there for a starting QB, especially after a high-profile loss. But one bad game doesn’t define a season. Hammond has shown flashes before. The key is adjusting to the blitzes and getting rid of the ball faster.
Allison: Do you think the coaching staff needs to make a change, or do they stick with Hammond and try to correct the mistakes?
Derek: Stick with Hammond. He’s the starter. They need to improve the offensive line communication and protect him better. Blaming the QB for a blown coverage isn’t fair football analysis.
Allison: Fair point. So, the focus is on preparation and adjustment. Now, we have to look ahead. Next up is Arizona Wildcats at Texas Tech this Saturday, October 31st.
Derek: Homecoming. Home crowd energy. This is the chance to bounce back. Arizona is a tough opponent, but playing in Lubbock changes the dynamic significantly.
Allison: What should Tech fans watch for in terms of matchup keys? What do you need to see from the offense to get back to .500 or better in conference play?
Derek: Ball security. Period. No more turnovers. And you need J’Koby Williams to find more space in the red zone. Against Arizona, if you can establish the run early, you control the clock and keep their offense off the field.
Allison: And defensively? Can they contain another high-powered offense if one shows up?
Derek: They have to. Tackling in space is non-negotiable. If you miss tackles like we saw against Tabb, you’re going to lose to anyone in the Big 12. It’s fundamentals.
Allison: Before we go, I want to take a quick moment. This show is free, with no ads and no paywall, because of listeners like you. Your support keeps us daily and independent. Please check out the link in the episode description to help us keep this content going.
Derek: We appreciate every single one of you. It means the world to keep this network running smoothly for all of you.
Allison: Alright, Tech fans, that’s the recap. We survived the shock of the Cincinnati loss, but we’re ready for Arizona. Subscribe, rate, and review wherever you listen!
Derek: Next week, we’ll be back with a full preview. Keep your head up. Red Raider Nation!
Allison: Beatline Podcast Network. Go Tech!