The Texas Tech Red Raiders’ defensive line dictated the tempo in Week 1 against Arkansas-Pine Bluff. However, they took over against Kent State in Week 2, showing that they have a true game-breaking ability that will be critical when Big 12 offenses come to town.
In the first half, the Red Raiders recorded three sacks, one from each of David Bailey, A.J. Holmes Jr., Romello Height. Bailey, a transfer from Stanford, showed his ability to win in a variety of ways. On one play he spun off the tackle to force a hurry in the backfield, and on another, he powers through the line to get a sack of his own.
David Bailey incoming ⚠️📺 TNT & MAX pic.twitter.com/AdTvH5U5Kd
— Texas Tech Football (@TexasTechFB) September 6, 2025
However, no single play was more “game-breaking” than when Holmes batted Kent State quarterback CJ Montes’ screen pass to the running back, which was then caught by defensive tackle Skyler Gill-Howard, who returned it 55 yards for a touchdown…