No. 8 Texas Tech grabs convincing win over No. 7 BYU (1:06)Texas Tech takes care of business with a 29-7 win to give BYU its first loss of the season. (1:06)
LUBBOCK, Texas — Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez indicated he was somewhat coerced by teammates into striking a Heisman Trophy pose during another dominating defensive performance by the ninth-ranked Red Raiders.
The 6-foot-1, 235-pounder with a distinctive mustache now copied by Texas Tech fans should at least be in the conversation for college football’s highest individual honor.
Rodriguez, the FBS leader with seven forced fumbles, had his third interception of the season in the third quarter when he reached out and tipped the ball to himself. He struck the pose after that play.
Then in the fourth quarter, Rodriguez added a fumble recovery when he jumped on a loose ball after BYU true freshman quarterback Bear Bachmeier threw a backward pass while under pressure.
“The Heisman is given to the best football player. It’s not given to the best quarterback; they have awards for that,” McGuire said. “If you can’t say that Jacob Rodriguez, at his position, is not playing at an elite level, as good anybody in the country. … That kid deserves to be part of that.”
Rodriguez and defensive end David Bailey, who went into Saturday with an FBS-high 11½ sacks, have helped transform Tech’s defense from one that allowed 34.8 points per game last season to one that allows 12.6 this year, and also leads the nation in rush defense.
The Red Raiders (9-1, 6-1 No. 8 CFP) held BYU to a season-low 255 total yards, only 106 in the first half, when Tech built a 13-0 lead. The Cougars (8-1, 5-1, No. 7 CFP) came in averaging 433.4 yards and 36.3 points a game.
Big 12 rushing leader LJ Martin was held to 35 yards, well below his 98.6-yard average. Martin sat out the second half at Iowa State two weeks ago with a shoulder injury, and BYU coach Kalani Sitake said Martin wasn’t at full strength.
No. 8 Texas Tech grabs convincing win over No. 7 BYU (1:06)Texas Tech takes care of business with a 29-7 win to give BYU its first loss of the season. (1:06)
“My guys, they wanted me to hit it. Just a rush of adrenaline,” Rodriguez said of his pose.
Rodriguez said he and McGuire have talked Heisman, “a lot,” and he appreciates his coach’s support.
“Just knowing he has my back and I have his back,” the linebacker said.
Texas Tech takes care of business with a 29-7 win to give BYU its first loss of the season. (1:06)
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