Defensive grades: Defense does just enough to stop the Cougars

Finally, Tech actually won a shootout! Even during the Mahomes’ era, Raider fans usually left these high scoring affairs deeply disappointed as the defense could never find the two or three stops needed to win. The performance was not a thing of beauty, but they found those stops.

Secondary: F-

There is absolutely no positive to take away here. The secondary cannot cover anyone, and regularly misses tackles. They were absolutely torched by another air attack, and this time there can be no excuse about top tier receiving talent.

A mediocre Houston receiving corp looked all world out there. And that will not fly in the Big 12.

Even reliable pieces like Dorsey or Parker had no impact. I can only hope getting Johnson back will bring some life to this group.

Defensive Line: C+

The big guys actually played pretty decently. I would have liked to see a lot more pressure on King, but they got in his face on a few throws.

More importantly, until late in the game where both defenses wore out, they controlled the line of scrimmage. The Cougars had no holes to run through, and were forced to just air it out. Sadly, the secondary just stood there and took it but the big boy can’t be faulted for that.

Linebackers: B-

There’s Dakota Allen! Finally, the big man on campus puts in a highlight worthy performance. He, and the other linebackers, flowed east and west really well stringing out the UH run game to no gain after no gain.

They stepped up and filled holes well, and all of the reads seemed crisp. I would like a sack or turnover forced by these guys before I boost the rating but this was a decent performance on a bad day for the secondary.

Coaching: D+

No turnovers forces, and the secondary was scorched. But a win means something and Gibbs called a good enough game to get a few key stops.

The defense is light years behind where we thought it was going to be, but if they can continue to find a few critical stops and we keep winning who cares. Sadly, I doubt we can win with a secondary performing so poorly.

The season is still young, maybe a road trip to hostile territory will motivate the 806D to bow up and make some big plays.