Sam Houston Offensive Playmakers Texas Tech Must Contain In Lubbock
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Texas Tech may be a heavy favorite against Sam Houston, but the Red Raiders’ defense can’t afford to treat the Bearkats like a harmless nonconference opponent.
Sam Houston enters Saturday’s game at 1-2, yet its offense has averaged 454.3 yards per game, including a striking 345.7 passing yards per game.
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The centerpiece is quarterback Landyn Locke, who has thrown for 973 yards, nine touchdowns and only one interception through three games while completing 67.6 percent of his passes.
Locke is coming off his sharpest performance yet.
The 6-4 sophomore threw for 322 yards and four touchdowns in a 59-0 rout of Nicholls, giving him three consecutive 300-yard passing games.
Texas Tech’s secondary will also have to account for several receivers.
Senior Chris Reed remains one of Sam Houston’s most proven weapons. He led the Bearkats with 462 receiving yards and five touchdowns last season and has 204 receiving yards through three games this year.
Then there’s Kamari Maxwell, who flashed his big-play ability against Nicholls. Maxwell finished with a team-high 86 receiving yards and caught a 48-yard touchdown from Locke.
The Austin Peay transfer had 385 yards and four touchdowns last season before joining Sam Houston.
Tim Burns Jr. gives the Bearkats another vertical threat. He opened the scoring last week with a 65-yard touchdown reception, reinforcing why Texas Tech can’t allow its safeties to get caught looking into the backfield.
The ground game hasn’t been nearly as productive, but Jerrian Parker Jr. deserves attention after leading Sam Houston with 52 rushing yards on only six carries against Nicholls.
That creates the real challenge for Texas Tech.
Sam Houston isn’t built around grinding out long drives. The Bearkats want Locke distributing the football and their receivers creating explosive plays.
Texas Tech’s priority should be simple: pressure Locke, eliminate deep shots and force Sam Houston to prove it can consistently run the football.
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If the Red Raiders do that, the matchup should play to their strengths.
If they don’t, Sam Houston has enough firepower to make Saturday far more uncomfortable than expected.
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