Texas Tech Football: Kingsbury unsatisfied with offensive performance

Despite stat lines, Texas Tech Football coach Kliff Kingsbury expressed dissatisfaction with Saturday’s performance against Stephen F. Austin.

In Kliff Kingsbury’s Monday morning press conference, he fielded several questions, including a question on which group he wasn’t satisfied with.

Despite both quarterbacks, Patrick Mahomes and Nic Shimonek throwing a combined 48 of 71 for 633-yards, and five touchdowns to 17 receivers (including a 59-yard grab by Reginald Davis), plus running backs accounting for 28 carries for 125-yards, and four touchdowns, Kingsbury showed noticeable disappointment in his offensive unit.

When Kingsbury was asked which side of the ball could have performed better, “Offensively.” He said. “I thought the defensive second group came in and played okay, but offensively, that second unit didn’t play very well.”

For a coach who is used to backups coming in and making plays when they have to, this point of criticism is one the team must collectively work towards improving–and fast.

Kingsbury said Shimonek performed well in his checks, and was composed on the sideline. But when the second team came into the game, Kingsbury noted the offense wasn’t as precise and physical. “I don’t know if we were uninterested or just didn’t feel like we needed to bring the physicality that we need every week… but it wasn’t good.” Said Kingsbury, who also questioned whether the team was either scared, or “just not that physical.”

For first and second team offensive units, that’s not something you want to hear headed into preparations to take on the Arizona State Sun Devils on the road–a team Texas Tech beat in the 2014 Holiday Bowl.

When discussing specific positions on the offensive, Kingsbury said the offensive line was “soft,” and that while outside receivers did well, the inside guys need to do better job–especially in blocking. He mentioned that his receivers played “okay,” but noted that depth of routes needed improvement.

The number of penalties amassed was encouraging as a whole, but the staff wasn’t happy with the number of yards on the offensive side. Kingsbury said the penalties “showed lack of focus,” but defensively, he was happy.

“We’re ready” for ASU, said Kingsbury. And the competition throughout Fall Camp prepared Texas Tech Football for adversity and challenges it will be facing this season.

Despite the many improvements and adjustments that must be made this week to pull off a win in Tempe, the central theme of the 2016 season is accountability, so the Red Raiders’ new heightened standard will be put to the test all week.