The Week Ahead: Sam Houston vs. Texas Tech

The Basics

Teams: Sam Houston Bearkats (1-2, 0-0) vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders (3-0, 1-0)
Date & Time: Saturday, September 26, 2026 @ 11:00 a.m.
Location: Galaxy Stadium | Lubbock, Texas
TV & Streaming: TNT
Line: Texas Tech -34 Open at -40.5

Long-time offensive coordinator Phil Longo is the head coach at Sam Houston, beginning in 2024. Longo was thought of a Kliff Kinbsbury starter-kit at some point, someway and some how, he was under the Leach Air Raid in that he didn’t have a playsheet and the receivers had the ability to somewhat choose their routes based on coverage. Longo isn’t a pass-heavy coordinator, he was always very balanced as a play-caller. Zach Patterson is the actual offensive coordinator, but Longo actually calls plays. And things didn’t necessarily go great for Longo and the Bearkats. They went 2-10 last year with wins over Oregon State and Delaware. Normally that would not be acceptable, but Sam Houston is in Conference USA and is FBS, not FCS.

Defensively, the coordinator is Freddie Aughtry-Lindsay. He’s previously worked with Longo and before being in Huntsville, Aughtry-Lindsay was at NC State where he was the nickels coach and an interim defensive coordinator

Strength of schedule is a circular illusion propped up on what what “experts” think rather than actual on-field performance. You already know this, but let’s take our favorite Sooners to the north where they beat a New Mexico team 14-6, a tough battle tested team like the sooners were somehow still ranked after losing to Michigan. Michigan will get a “quality win” for beating a ranked opponent when in reality, Oklahoma and Michigan may both be terrible. Ultimately, the SEC and Big Ten are both rewarded in this instance because these are ranked wins for teams that their own fanbases don’t think are any good. This is the definition of perceived value over reality, or a ponzi scheme, early investors are rewarded because they were chosen and then sort of ride this wave of “performance” off the backs of other individuals.

Very rarely do I think the staff misses on these pre-game things and I do think that the mark was missed with Dana White’s message. The Ride was released yesterday and White’s message is that the greatest gift in life is for you to be doubted (just ask Baker Mayfield, he’s built an entire career out of it). It is embedded in its regular spot.

As an aside, I would argue that the greatest gift in life is the exact opposite. It is for someone to believe in you and that they believe in you so much that they believe you can and will lead this team to heights it has never seen. Doubt is a gimmick. Belief is magic.

Clear eyes. Full heart. Can’t lose.

Cash Cleveland is now the starter at left guard over Hunter Zambrano. That’s not a surprise, but I an surprised that it took this long considering how well Cleveland looked on Friday night.

The News:

Texas Tech Football: No. 11 Texas Tech eyes 4-0 start vs. Sam Houston & Game Notes

Red Raider Sports’ Lane Selph: Joey McGuire opens up on Will Hammond’s ‘angry’ performance, OL shakeup and Texas Tech injury updates

McGuire also joked that Hammond might have gained a little extra motivation after Tommy Castellanos took the game’s opening snap.

“If you don’t take the first snap of the game and you’re our starting quarterback, that kind of pisses you off a little bit too,” McGuire said. “He reminded me that he played a little angry. If that’s what it takes to get that out of him, we’ll keep making him angry.”

Red Raider Sports’ L Jordan: Leftwich Breaks Down Texas Tech’s Win, Previews Sam Houston

After two weeks of inconsistency on the ground, Leftwich pointed to effort and finishing blocks as the difference against Houston.

“There’s still a million things you watch on film and you’re like, man, we’re so close right here. But the one thing the O-line and tight ends did a really good job of was straining through the play.”

Lubbock Avalanche-Journal’s Don Williams: Breaking down 3 plays with Texas Tech football OC Mack Leftwich

On a 35-yard touchdown pass from Will Hammond to Kenny Johnson, everyone saw there was a lot of traffic in a confined area along the sideline as they approached the corner of the end zone: two Cougars in coverage and Tech running back J’Koby Williams close to Johnson — too close.

“We have four verts (vertical routes) and switch verts,” Leftwich said. “J’Koby ran the switch verts when the actual call was four verts, so he should have really just cleared out the safety, and it should have been just a true one-on-one with Kenny and the corner right there. So just a missed assignment from J’Koby.

“The announcers liked it. They thought it was perfectly designed on TV, but a little bit of a mishap there.”

The Non-Transcript

Head Coach Joey McGuire:

Scout Team Players of the Week:

Offense: TE Jack Esparz
Defense: CB Noah Lewis
Special Teams: S Jamarn Grant

Congratulations to Joel Filani for the Hall of Fame.
Incredible atmosphere on Friday night. Hats off to our game day group and have to overcome Giovannetti. 6:53 3rd quarter 21-17 and Houston is going to go for it and gets a false start and have to kick a field goal. Need them again for the game at 11:00 a.m. Need everyone there. Sam Houston played Troy and Tulsa tight. A good team and they will test us. Quarterback is 7th in the nation in passing. Longo likes to air it out. Excited for them and another sellout. Our fans keep showing up and it’s not like this everywhere. Don’t take the fans for granted, they bring so much energy.
Terrance Carter had a sprained foot, that feels good, he has an AC sprain and that’s his concern this week. Will rehab him and he will be a game-time decision.
Cash Cleveland, ended up becoming a meme for saying “run the damn ball”. He really helps Sheridan and him and Howard are very close. Hunter will get reps at tackle and make sure we have good depth there. Unfortunate in getting penalized. Shot on Howard Sampson, but he’s fine. To be able to move Ponton to left tackle and Danny Sill to right tackle.
Will Hammond did a really good job and there’s 2 more, we’ve got to continue to do that. Play with a chip on his shoulder. Will see Hammond week after week and turn him loose and he’s feeling better and better and more comfortable. People are going to have to account for his legs.
Really impressed with their linebacker #33, good at lining up in space. Have athletic corners and have good size. They played good in all 3 games.
Davin Martin, played really well. When you get the opportunity and what you do that gives you more opportunities. Amier Boyd will be out this week, expecting him back against Colorado. Davin deserves it, he played really well.
We have 16 teams and could schedule out where we are playing conference, but it’s going to be good and are lucky to be at home. Played really well at 11:00 a.m. last year and getting those players to understand the conference play. Haven’t played to the level we are capable of playing at.
There’s no doubt he was confident in the game plan. We were very focused on taking shots down the field. Any time you have that first big run and are successful and are feeling good and get hit, that’s good. If you don’t take the 1st snap of the game it sort of pisses you off a bit and he reminded me he played a little angry, maybe we’ll keep making him angry.
We were up 15 minutes ago and Will Karoll, he’s been such a weapon and so effective. The rolls helped him so much and should have had 1 last week. He’s been a weapon and that specialist room is a good group. He is an elite holder when it comes to field goals, Stone Harrington has a ton of trust in him.
That was one of the plays of the game, that might have been 3rd and 12 and he got excited when he saw Kenny Johnson and didn’t check to the other 3 receivers. But it was a great throw on the run and a huge catch for Kenny coming back from the ball.
I like being in games like that. In blowouts, I sort of just stand there. In those types of games you get to find out what kind of coach you are. I thought our offensive staff adjusted to get the running game going. It does take years off your life. It is bringing this team close and can play from behind and overcome a big deficit. I think all 3 games, the reason is self-inflicted wounds and we are looking to clean that up.
Mixture on defense on 3rd downs. I do think we will hit our stride on rushing the passer, the first thing Shiel will tell you is bad eyes and too much separation. Connor did a really good job and he’s playing his best football. Huge fan of Shawn Bell. Sometimes giving the quarterback too much time. We are only 1 sack off of last year, but not causing turnovers. Need to create those turnovers and those long drives, have to get off the field.
Works out really well because BJ can play both and will continue that. There was 1 run where BJ didn’t get his fit on a run. Maliq and Peyton are really good tacklers and when the ball gets to you, you have to get them down. BJ has the most snaps invested and played that field/strong safety and that’s what we went with as he tried to knock some rust off. Oliver is banged up now, maybe this week, but hopefully Colorado.
Some of isn’t a snap count, but just the more he plays the more he can slide back into it. I think you’ll see Jayden, and Mateen and AJ. See Jayden and AJ and Brice and Julian, Julian had his best game. Played Jojo a bit. We are 3 deep at those spots.

AI summary the two coordinators:

Defensive Coordinator Shiel Wood [25:17]

Player Updates & Rotations:
Safety Position: Highlighted BJ Williams’ return and mentioned that BJ, Malik, and Payton will continue in a three-man safety rotation [35:11].
Edge & Linebackers: Praised edge rusher Adam Trick for playing a highly physical, relentless game where he forced two fumbles [36:19]. Noted that young edge Leamen Gayton made a big leap in production [37:26].
Cornerbacks: Expressed confidence in Davin Martin after a strong performance while main starter Amir Boy remains out [38:21]. Expects a three-corner rotation once Amir returns [38:30]
Defensive Execution & Eye Discipline:
Stated that while the defense executes well at times, unnecessary breakdowns and poor “eye discipline” are still giving up big plays [26:51].
Comparing this season to last year, he pointed out that early-season opponents this year presented stiffer competition, exposing mistakes [28:36]. However, he remains confident the defense will continuously improve over the season [32:47].
Scouting Sam Houston State:
Highlighted Sam Houston State’s offense led by Coach Phil Longo, emphasizing that their system relies heavily on run-pass options (RPOs) and downfield passing to put defensive front numbers in conflict [33:41].
Offensive Coordinator Mack Leftwich [39:21]
Quarterback & Offense Execution:
Will Hammond: Praised Will’s running capability, situational awareness on scramble plays, and competitive leadership [39:44]. Noted that using his legs creates extra dynamic options for the offense [40:19].
First Play Strategy: Addressed the trick/shot play executed on the game’s opening snap, explaining it was intended to break tendencies and be aggressive early with Tommy; acknowledged that a protection breakdown caused the play to fail [43:41].
Passing & Route Details: Admitted he “over-coached” Will on a key 4th-and-3 throw by making him focus too long on a hot route instead of progressing quickly [51:36]. Mentioned the touchdown pass to Kenny Hammond featured a route mis-assignment where Jacobe ran switch verts instead of standard four verts [49:19].
Offensive Line & Run Game:
Attributed second-half running success against Houston to increased effort and player adjustments at halftime [41:31].
Highlighted guard Cash Cleveland’s energy, toughness, and communication on the line, noting he provided a distinct spark for the rest of the unit [42:50].
Receivers & Opponent Defense:
Lauded Kenny Hammond as the offense’s primary target and tone-setter in practice [44:53].
Encouraged players like Micah and Dante Lee to remain patient despite lower target counts, complimenting Micah’s perimeter blocking [47:08].
Noted that Sam Houston State’s defense plays aggressive, high-blitz man coverage that will test their protection unit on third down [46:13].

The Ride:

This Week in the Big 12 & National Games of the Week

Big 12 Game of the Week: Utah is going to get their first test on the road which I’ll find interesting. I’ll also be rooting for a certain team every week and this week it is Kansas State. That team is the team playing Cincinnati. Also something that looks really fun? Oklahoma State is a 1.5 point dog to West Virginia. Yeah, the Eers are favored. TCU at UCF might also be a sneaky good game.

Sam Houston @ Texas Tech 9/26 @ 11:00 am on TNT
Colorado @ Baylor 9/26 @ 11:00 am on ESPN2
Utah @ Iowa State 9/26 @ 2:30 am on FOX
TCU @ UCF 9/26 @ 2:30 pm on FS1
Houston @ Georgia Southern 9/26 @ 3:00 pm on ESPNU
Kansas State @ Cincinnati 9/26 @ 6:00 pm on ESPN2
Oklahoma State @ West Virginia 9/26 @ 6:00 pm on FS1
Arizona @ Washington State 9/26 @ 6:30 pm on CBS

National Games of the Week: Most interesting to me is Oregon @ USC and then which team will come out swinging between then TAMU @ LSU. Don’t let anyone tell you that Oklahoma @ Georgia is going to be a good game.

Texas @ Tennessee 9/26 @ 11:00 am on ABC
Ole Miss @ Florida 9/26 @ 2:30 pm on ABC
Texas A&M @ LSU 9/26 @ 6:30 pm on ABC
Oregon @ USC 9/26 @ 6:30 pm on NBC
Iowa @ Michigan 9/26 @ 2:30 pm on CBS

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