Over the past several years the Tech defense has left the end zone open longer than 7-Eleven keeps the register running – which is 24/7 by the way.
Tech defensive coordinator David Gibbs enters year three leading the Red Raider defense and Kliff Kingsbury is desperate to see a return on his investment.
When Gibbs left Houston, his Cougars’ defense led the country in takeaways in 2014 and ranked no. 18 nationally in total defense per ESPN.
In 2016 with Texas Tech Gibbs unit ranked dead last in total defense and they were last in the Big 12 in turnovers gained, something that Kingsbury says has to improve.
“We know that we aren’t going to jump into the top ten [in total defense], there’s no doubt. But we can’t be last in the country. That’s not acceptable,” Kingsbury said. “You’re not going to win many games. More than anything we have to turn the football over – more. I mean we had 13 last year which is last in the Big 12. And when you have the least amount of takeaways in the conference, you’re usually going to be near the bottom. Coach Gibbs, when he was at the University of Houston led the country in takeaways, so that’s what we’ve got to get back to.”
