LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – With two forced fumbles in Texas Tech’s 43-20 win at Kansas State, Red Raider linebacker Jacob Rodriguez is once again this week’s “Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week”. So far, it’s been quite the breakout- or shall we say “punch out” year for the defensive captain, who is already the FBS leader with seven forced fumbles this season.
On Saturday, both of his forced fumbles lead to a Texas Tech touchdown. The first came with 5:22 left in the first half, when he punched the ball out of quarterback Avery Johnson’s hands- and into the hands of DB Brice Pollock at the K-State 19. It led to a Cameron Dickey touchdown run, which gave Tech its first lead of the game. The Raiders would never trail after that point.
The other turnover came when Rodriguez took the ball away from Wildcat tight end Garret Oakley, on what would’ve otherwise been a K-State first down. The loose ball was recovered by safety Cole Wisniewski on the KSU 49. Three plays later, running back J’Koby Williams broke free for a 41yd touchdown, which gave Tech the 19-7 lead.
This is “J-Rod”’s second time this year to earn the honor. The other one came after Tech’s 34-10 win at Utah when he had one forced fumble and made a one-handed interception late in the game. Rodgriguez shares this week’s honor with defensive back Fred Perry of West Virginia.
Red Raider kicker Stone Harrington was also named the “Special Teams Player of the Week” after he went3-for-3 on field goal attempts, including one from 55 yards out to close out the half- and give Tech a 12-7 lead.
Up next for No. 9 Texas Tech is a Saturday showdown with No. 8 BYU. Game is set to kick off 11 a.m.
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