Texas Tech 27, Utah 10
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There was a tremendous draft matchup in this game with Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey taking on Utah offensive tackles Caleb Lomu and Spencer Fano. All three could go in the top 60 next April, and all three have a shot at being first-rounders. Overall, this tape was not very impressive for any of the three.
In the second quarter, Bailey got a speed rush past a tight end to cause the quarterback to step up and avoid a sack. It looked like a missed assignment by Lomu as he double-teamed the tackle rather than helping his tight end in a one-on-one against a dangerous speed rusher. For the majority of the game, Bailey was quiet and a non-factor. Bailey had limited opportunities as the Utes’ quarterback, struggling to sustain drives and throwing some painful interceptions. Late in the fourth quarter, Bailey was being blocked by Fano when Fano peeled off Bailey to go after another edge rusher who was running free and closer to the quarterback. Bailey took advantage to chase down the quarterback for a coverage sack. The next play, Fano got off balance and grabbed Bailey to draw holding penalty.
In the first quarter, Fano made a horrible mental mistake. He got too far downfield, and that negated a 69-yard touchdown pass. It was a massive mental mistake by Fano that really hurt his team. Late in the second quarter, Fano had an impressive rep on Bailey. Bailey tried to use a speed rush, but Fano cut off the corner and sustained his block to give his quarterback plenty of time to get the ball out. Just after halftime, Bailey tried running the loop around Fano with a speed rush, but Fano showed his quickness to get depth in his drop and wall off Bailey. Early in the fourth quarter, Fano paved the way with a superb block, moving his defender back and opening a running lane for a back to get into the end zone from about five yards out.
Of all three, Fano was the most impressive in terms of his physical talent. Fano is quick, athletic, agile, and strong. Lomu has good athleticism, along with quickness and agility, but Lomu has some technique issues that need to be cleaned up for the NFL to not get beaten by pro linemen. Bailey is a fast and athletic speed rusher, but he is undersized. Teams like the Detroit Lions, which are looking for a base end who is big, strong, and a tough run defender who can set the edge, will not be high on Bailey. Other teams, like the Dallas Cowboys, who like ultra-fast twitchy edge rushers, will like Bailey. None of this trio will be helped or hurt significantly by this tape.
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There has been some buzz for Texas Tech quarterback Behren Morton, but he dealt that blow with an ugly performance at Utah. With Utah getting robbed by the refs, Morton did a good job of keeping the Utes in the game with some poor ball security. In the first quarter, Morton underthrew a deep pass that hit off the back of a cornerback, and a Utes safety caught the deflection for an interception. It was bad luck on a bad throw from Morton. The next Red Raiders possession, Morton held the ball long and didn’t get the ball out before taking a blind-side strip-sack. The possession after that, Morton threw a deep ball up for grabs in the end zone, but the pass was underthrown and fell to the cornerback for an interception in the end zone. Early in the third quarter, Morton took off on a run when he should have thrown a pass away or slid, but instead, he led with his head into a defender and took a vicious hit that knocked him out of the game. Morton finished completing 12-of-19 passes for 142 yards with two interceptions and a fumble. This was a bad tape from Morton showing poor ball security, some horribly underthrown passes, and bad ball placement. This tape will hurt his draft grade.
