MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Much has been made about all of the departures from Arkansas’ two-deep depth chart ahead of the 2024 Liberty Bowl, but the biggest losses may belong to Texas Tech.
In addition to being without their starting quarterback and star wide receiver, the Red Raiders are also missing both of their coordinators for Friday night’s showdown with the Razorbacks at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT and it will be televised on ESPN.
Offensive coordinator Zach Kittley left to become the head coach at FAU after leading a top-5 unit at Texas Tech, while defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter was fired for his unit being on the opposite end of the spectrum.
The Red Raiders have since hired their replacements, but Mack Leftwich (offense) and Shiel Wood (defense) won’t be leading their respective sides of the ball in Memphis. Instead, the play-calling duties have fallen to wide receivers coach/passing game coordinator Justin “Juice” Johnson and outside linebackers coach C.J. Ah You.
Neither coach has experience as a full-time coordinator, but both have been on staff multiple years and have a firm grasp of the playbook Texas Tech has run all year.
“I wanted both CJ and Juice to put their personality (on it),” Texas Tech football coach Joey McGuire said Thursday. “Like, here’s what we do, this is the playbook, but pull the stuff out that you want.”
Even with true freshman backup quarterback Will Hammond making his first career start, McGuire added that he didn’t anticipate much changing on an offense that ranked fifth nationally in scoring (38.6 ppg) and eighth in total offense (459.8 ypg).
On the other side of the ball, Texas Tech is probably hoping for a boost similar to what Arkansas experienced last year in its first game after Dan Enos was fired, when the Razorbacks’ scuffling offense put together its best game of the season in a win at Florida.
While Sam Pittman downplayed the Red Raiders’ coordinator departures by saying his team’s focus has been on itself, McGuire seemed to acknowledge Arkansas’ advantage in that department when asked if there were any challenges when scouting a team as depleted as the Razorbacks.
“No, because the coordinators are still the same,” McGuire said. “I think if the coordinators were a little bit different, if you had a change, I think you could see a little bit different, but Petrino’s going to do what he does and we’re expecting him to do it and see if we can’t stop it. We hope we can. And they’re good on defense.”
Led by former head coach Bobby Petrino, Arkansas’ offense put up 30.3 points on 451.2 yards per game this season, figures that ranked 47th and 12th in the FBS, respectively. The defense, meanwhile, is 69th in scoring (24.9 ppg) and 65th in yards allowed (366.0).
The importance of a coordinator was on full display two years ago when the Razorbacks were in Memphis for the 2022 version of the Liberty Bowl. They eventually beat Kansas 55-53 in triple overtime, but without defensive coordinator Barry Odom — who had left to take the UNLV job — they allowed 38 points in regulation and 603 total yards.
(READ NEXT: Check out our in-depth analytical look at Arkansas vs Texas Tech)
Texas Tech Star Still Undecided
One way Joey McGuire seems to be trying to make up for that tactical disadvantage is by playing the status of his star running back close to the vest.
The way he tells it, Tajh Brooks still hasn’t made up his mind about whether or not he’ll play in the Liberty Bowl. He has been practicing with the team and made the trip to Memphis, but could still choose to opt out before kickoff. McGuire describes it was a true “50/50” situation.
“I think Tahj, to me, everything he’s done for Texas Tech, he’s earned the right to make that decision,” McGuire said. “I don’t really panic about it because those other two guys have played all year long, so if he tells me, ‘Coach, I’m ready to roll,’ I’ll pat him on the butt and say, ‘Let’s go.’
“If he says, ‘Coach, let the young guys go,’ I’ll give him a hug and say, ‘Alright, well settle these guys down because they’re going to be really excited.’”
The two players he’s referring to are backups Cameron Dickey and J’Koby Williams, both of whom are true freshmen. They combined for just 264 yards and two touchdowns on 52 carries this season.
That’s a stark contrast to Brooks, who ran for 1,505 yards and 17 touchdowns while becoming Texas Tech’s all-time leading rusher. In five seasons with the Red Raiders, the super senior has racked up 4,557 yards and 45 touchdowns.
Sam Pittman admitted that he is the No. 1 concern for Arkansas’ defense heading into the game.
“Very physical downhill guy, an outrun you, can run around, can run over you,” Pittman said. “Just a very physical (runner), can make you miss. A guy that also can catch the ball out of the backfield. But you can feel leadership with him when he’s on (the field).”
In-State Hogs Get Opportunity in Liberty Bowl
Perhaps the biggest winners in all of Arkansas’ roster upheaval since the end of the regular season are a group of younger players from the state who chose to stick around.
Each of the last two times Sam Pittman spoke to the media, he specifically brought up freshman Kobe Branham and redshirt sophomore Brooks Edmonson — the latter of whom was a walk-on until being placed on scholarship this month. Products of Fort Smith Southside and Bryant, respectively, those two are expected to fill in at right guard and center thanks to all of the defections on the interior of the offensive line.
He also mentioned that Maddox Lassiter, who was also recently awarded a scholarship, will take on a larger role at tight end. The tight end from Warren has primarily been a blocker — usually at fullback — this season, but could get involved in the passing game against Texas Tech.
“That guy’s talented,” Pittman said. “Always happy, always physical, but he can really catch the ball. I was bragging on him so hard when Coach Petrino got here, Coach Petrino started calling him ‘Your boy, your boy, your boy’ because that’s all I ever did is talk about Lassiter because I just think he can be a really, really good player.”
Bentonville native CJ Brown is projected to start at wide receiver, as well, after making just one reception during the regular season.
On the other side of the ball, defensive end Quincy Rhodes Jr. (North Little Rock) is expected to make his first career start, with Charlie Collins (Pine Bluff/LR Mills) likely the top backup at the position.
“Those guys love the University of Arkansas,” Pittman said. “They love the state of Arkansas.”
How to Watch Arkansas vs Texas Tech
Date: Friday, Dec. 27
Location: Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium (Memphis, Tenn.)
Kickoff/TV: 6 p.m. CT (ESPN)
On the Call: Anish Shroff (play-by-play), Andre Ware (analyst), Paul Carcaterra (sideline reporter)
ESPN FPI: Arkansas has a 56.1% chance to win
Betting Line/Odds: Texas Tech, -1 | O/U 53 (BetSaracen)
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Check out what the Red Raiders’ side is saying about the Arkansas vs Texas Tech matchup:
Here is Arkansas football coach Sam Pittman’s full Liberty Bowl press conference:
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