LUBBOCK, Texas — Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire said safety Brenden Jordan missed Saturday’s season opener against Abilene Christian because of a team rules violation, and that Jordan will sit out the first two games before returning for the Sept. 18 Big 12 opener against Houston.
Jordan, a senior from Mansfield who wears No. 7, was on the sideline for the 33-10 win at Galaxy Stadium.
McGuire said Malik Esquerra and Peyton Morgan made the first college starts of their careers in Jordan’s absence, and that both tackled well and broke up passes.
“It was not injury. It was team rules,” McGuire said. “He’ll be back, Houston. He’s in good standing. He was on the sideline tonight, and we expect him back. He won’t play these first two games.”
Asked to confirm it was a team rules violation, McGuire said yes.
Malik Esquerra And Peyton Morgan Make Their First Career Starts
Texas Tech held Abilene Christian to 194 total yards. Quarterback John David Black completed 18-of-32 passes for 119 yards with an interception, and the Wildcats ran for 75 yards.
Marcus Ramon-Edwards played more defensive snaps than he had in any game of his career, according to McGuire, who said linebacker John Curry was also on the field in the safety rotation.
“I thought Malik, Peyton Morgan, Maddox Quiller, and Oliver Miles, I think all four of those guys played well,” McGuire explained. “And you’re talking about Malik and Peyton. That was their first college start. I thought they tackled well. They got the ball down. They had some pass breakups.”
“Marcus Ramon-Edwards played more defensive snaps than he’s played in his career. I thought he did a good job,” McGuire continued. “So safety-wise, between the star, the free, and the strong safety, I thought those guys played really well. I think those guys will only get better as they get snaps.”
Curry intercepted Abilene Christian’s first snap of the second half, the second interception of his career. His first came Nov. 30, 2024, against West Virginia.
Texas Tech Also Played Without Trey White And LaDamion Guyton
Two outside linebackers were out alongside Jordan. McGuire said LaDamion Guyton will be back next week and that Trey White is probably another week to two weeks away.
Jamond Mathis started at the dog position in their place and recorded a career-high 2.5 sacks with a team-high 6 tackles.
Texas Tech has allowed fewer than 18 points in each of its last nine home wins, the longest such streak by a Big 12 program since 2002.
The Red Raiders play at Oregon State on Saturday at Reser Stadium in Corvallis, Ore. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. CT on CBS. The Houston game follows on Sept. 18 at 7 p.m. CT on FOX.
