The Red Raiders are getting into a groove of rushing the passer through three weeks.
LUBBOCK - The Texas Tech pass rush is faced with the challenge of replicating a pass rush this season that was among the best in college football last year.
Though Joey McGuire's group hasn't dominated on the scoreboard in 2026 as similarly as in 2025, this year's defensive line has kept pace with the 2025 team that featured NFL talents David Bailey, Lee Hunter and Romello Height.
The Red Raiders had nine sacks through three games in 2025, and in 2026, have posted eight, which have come arguably against better competition overall.
Coaches look beyond quarterback takedowns to truly determine the success of their front line. While Tech has still felt like it could be more destructive than it has, it's worth noting that it has also barely had time with a fully healthy unit.
Defensive end Trey White made his season debut last week in the tight win over Houston, which moved Texas Tech to 3-0 entering the final non-conference bout this weekend against Sam Houston.
White was happy with his performance and still felt like he was still working back to 100 percent strength from his preseason knee sprain.
McGuire believes this unit can reclaim the dominance of last year's defense as more opportunities come with White and a fully-healthy roster on the field.
That begins against a Bearkats offense this weekend that was sacked nine times through the first two games. Most recently, however, Sam Houston quarterback Landyn Locke continued his strong play with a 59-0 blowout win over Nicholls State last week, where he was not brought down behind the line.
Though it's early, White has found promise in his pairing opposite of EDGE Adam Trick, who got home for a pair of sacks against the Cougars last Friday.
White, a San Diego State transfer, and Trick, who comes from Miami (Ohio), took their chemistry from the practice field to Galaxy Stadium last week.
"We just practice so much with each other throughout summer, spring, fall camp," White said of the tandem. "I feel like we play really well off each other. We kinda know each other's tendencies and the way each other rush, so I feel like it's no mistake that we're able to have really good games together when we're in."
McGuire and Red Raider Nation hope there is more where that came from. No. 11-ranked Texas Tech hosts Sam Houston at 11 a.m. CT on Saturday in Lubbock.
