Freshman QB Webb steps up for Raiders
LUBBOCK — After freshman Davis Webb was beaten out for the starting job this summer, Texas Tech coach Kliff Kingsbury had to remind Webb his world really wasn’t over.
Walk-on freshman Baker Mayfield battled closely with Webb before winning the job shortly before the season started. Even after the decision, Kingsbury constantly told Webb he might have a chance to help his team.
He just needed to be ready.
Kingsbury looked wise as his backup quarterback rescued the Red Raiders by leading two late scoring drives that boosted the Red Raiders to a 20-10 triumph over No. 24 TCU on Thursday night.
“I couldn’t be more proud of how he stepped up,” Kingsbury said after winning his first Big 12 game. “He approached it in the right way and was ready for that moment.”
Webb took over after starter Mayfield injured his knee midway through the fourth quarter. Despite his abrupt entry into the game, a collected Webb was set for his chance.
His team was, too. It seemed that when he entered the game, the Red Raiders’ offense hit a reset button and was ready to take off.
“We don’t miss a beat without any player,” Tech tight end Jace Amaro said. “I know coach Kingsbury has harped on that if somebody goes down to do the same thing. He really sparked us.”
Webb marched the Red Raiders 75 yards on nine plays on a drive capped by his 19-yard scoring toss to Bradley Marquez that gave Tech the lead for good with 3:48 left. And after a TCU punt, Ryan Bustin added a clinching 37-yard field goal.
“It was a big spark when he went into the game and he was prepared for the situation,” Marquez said. “It’s a credit for his preparation that he was ready to come in and do what he did.”
It wasn’t exactly an artistic masterpiece, but few of the 58,701 at Jones AT&T Stadium will complain. Especially con- sidering the Red Raiders (3-0, 1-0 Big 12) had won only three of their last 11 home Big 12 games since 2008.
“That’s about as ugly as you can win, but we’ll take it,” Kingsbury said.
At one point, the Red Raiders produced minus-2 yards on eight possessions during the middle of the game leading up to the drive before Webb took over.
Earlier, TCU (1-2, 0-1) fought back from an early 10-0 hole. As the defense pressured Mayfield, the offense finally caught its rhythm in the second half. B.J. Catalon’s 17-yard touchdown run on the drive before Webb entered tied the score.
The Horned Frogs self-destructed throughout the game. They had a 69-yard punt return for a touchdown by Brandon Carter wiped out after officials ruled he had signaled for a fair catch shortly before starting his return.
TCU coach Gary Patterson tried to explain after the game, saying his team lost because of too many missed tackles and struggles on third down. The Horned Frogs converted only three of 16 third downs with backup Trevone Boykin running the show.