Texas Tech LB Sam Eguavoen wants to 'shut up' Baylor

DALLAS -- Texas Tech linebacker Sam Eguavoen is ready to get back on the field and hit someone.  

The Red Raiders have big home games against Texas and Oklahoma this season, but the senior has two road trips circled on his calendar, too.

Eguavoen wants to knock down the defending Big 12 champs.

"I'm looking forward to shutting up Baylor," he said. "They feel like they just got the edge on everybody and they really don't. We were up on them last year and we just let them slip through the cracks."

Texas Tech had an early 14-0 lead over Baylor last November before the Bears roared back to a 63-34 win.

The loss for the Red Raiders capped a five-game losing skid to end the regular season. Eguavoen is determined to make sure that doesn't happen again.

"We're going to be way more smarter this year, more violent, more speed and get nasty out there," he said. "We're not going to be tired this season.

"There's always going to be that one defense in the Big 12 that everyone knows of, and I promise you that it will be Texas Tech this year. Whether if it's that we're known for trash-talking, most-disciplined, or least penalties. We're going to be known this season."

Beating Baylor would be nice, but Eguavoen doesn't want it to be a high-scoring shootout.

"Hold them under 150 yards rushing and under 20 points per game," he said. "That's our goal against every team."

That's a tall order with Baylor coming off one of the greatest offensive seasons in college football history.

The other game Eguavoen is looking forward to is against a TCU team known more for its defense. But former Texas Tech quarterback and assistant coach Sonny Cumbie joining the Horned Frogs' offensive staff this offseason adds extra motivation.

"He threw all of us off when he left," Eguavoen said. "When he went to TCU, I was like 'OK?' When we hear TCU on the schedule, we're thinking 'Sonny Cumbie, we're coming for you!'"