Texas Tech’s Defense Gives Up Passing Yards, But Also Gets a Ton of Sacks, Interceptions

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STILLWATER — The Red Raiders’ pass defense is statistically interesting.

On one hand, Texas Tech is giving up 287 pass yards a game, which ranks 15th (of 16) in the Big 12. On the other hand, Texas Tech has made 28 sacks this season, which ranks second in the league. The Red Raiders’ 13 interceptions this year also ties for the Big 12 lead.

So, it gives the feeling of boom or bust one way or the other.

With Oklahoma State having potentially the No. 1 pick at quarterback, Saturday’s game could come down to just how much the Cowboys can exploit the Red Raiders pass D and keep Drew Mestemaker upright.

“I think their D-line’s really good,” Mestemaker said Tuesday. “Their linebackers have played a lot of football, just veterans. So they’re really like savvy in coverage, I’d say, and [they] read your eyes and stuff like that. They aren’t like crazy-exotic up front until you get to third downs. Their D-line can generate pressure with just those four guys because they’re really talented up front. I think just getting them running side-to-side, not just straight-up dropbacks so they can’t just tee off on our tackles, and kind of move the pocket will be good for this game coming up.”

Tech’s defense boasts three of the top 10 sack-getters in the conference.

Anthony “A.J.” Holmes Jr. is unique in that he has no troubles disrupting pockets from the inside. Listed at 6-foot-3, 300 pounds, Holmes is tied for the league lead with 6.5 quarterback takedowns this year. He’s in his second year with the program after transferring from Houston.

Linebacker Trey White joined Tech from San Diego State this offseason, where he made 19.5 sacks in his final two years as an Aztec. He’s made five sacks in seven games this season, with his total being good for sixth in the Big 12.

Then there’s freshman outside linebacker LaDamion Guyton, who has four sacks this season, which is tied for 10th in the Big 12. Guyton was a five-star prospect who the 247Sports Composite ranking tabbed as the No. 27 prospect in the 2026 class. He had offers to everywhere but chose Texas Tech. For reference, Ethan Wesloski is the Cowboys’ leader in sacks with four, tying Guyton — Tech’s No. 3 in sacks.

“Same as every week, we just need to get our job done,” said OSU left tackle Shaun Torgeson on facing Tech’s pass rush. “If we get it done up front, the guys behind us will be able to get their job done.”

But while Tech’s pass rush sounds (and is) daunting, teams have still had success throwing the rock against the Red Raiders.

Only three times this season has Tech held a team under 250 passing yards, while four teams have thrown for at least 300 yards against the Red Raiders.

The three best QBs Tech has faced this season are probably Braden Atkinson (Oregon State), Conner Weigman (Houston) and Noah Fifita (Arizona). That group’s average line against Tech was 371 passing yards, two passing touchdowns and 0.3 interceptions. Atkinson and Fifita both eclipsed 400 pass yards against the Red Raiders.

So, it feels like the game could be played on a knife’s edge a bit. Tech’s pass rush will surely get home at some point, but if Mestemaker can take care of the rock, he could be in for another big day.

“Keeping my eyes downfield, seeing the safety rotation with the pass rush and not dropping my eyes and getting all jittery in the pocket,” said Mestemaker on what will be important for him avoiding Tech’s pass rush. “We feel like we have a good plan and plans to slow down the pass rush, get the ball out before they get back there. Just sticking to our plan and really being good with my eyes downfield.”