Why Texas Tech coach McGuire wanted LB Jacob Rodriguez to score touchdown vs UCF

3 hours ago7 min read2 comments

In a bold strategic gambit that blended gridiron pragmatism with theatrical flair, Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire orchestrated a moment of pure football poetry during the Red Raiders' commanding victory over UCF. The decision to deploy linebacker Jacob Rodriguez in the wildcat formation at the UCF 2-yard line wasn't merely about securing six points; it was a calculated statement delivered directly to the Heisman Trophy selection committee.With the precision of a chess grandmaster, McGuire explained to Fox Sports' Josh Sims post-game, 'Everybody is talking about quarterbacks for Heisman, so we put him at quarterback today and he scored a touchdown. ' This wasn't just a clever trick play—it was a manifesto.Rodriguez, a 230-pound defensive stalwart, took the direct snap and followed his left guard's block into the end zone, punctuating the score with a Heisman pose that transformed celebration into declaration. The statistical context makes McGuire's protest resonate profoundly: according to BetMGM, the seven best odds for the 2025 Heisman are exclusively quarterbacks, with Indiana's Fernando Mendoza leading the pack.Historically, the quarterback room has dominated this conversation, with Colorado's Travis Hunter last year becoming only the second primarily defensive player to claim the award since Michigan's Charles Woodson in 1997. Rodriguez's season numbers scream for attention beyond the novelty of his offensive touchdown—88 total tackles, seven forced fumbles (just two shy of Derrick Johnson's Big 12 record), five pass breakups, three interceptions, two fumble recoveries, and a sack across 11 games.His recognition as a Chuck Bednarik Award semifinalist underscores his defensive dominance, yet McGuire's wildcat call highlights the systemic bias that often overlooks defensive excellence. This strategic theater recalls moments like when the University of Pittsburgh used defensive end Hugh Green in goal-line situations during his 1980 Heisman campaign, though ultimately falling short to South Carolina's George Rogers. The philosophical question McGuire raises echoes through college football history: should the Heisman truly honor the most outstanding player, or has it become de facto quarterback award? As the December 8 finalist announcement approaches, Rodriguez's two-yard plunge represents more than points on a scoreboard—it's a challenge to reconceptualize how we measure football greatness, blending raw defensive production with symbolic offensive contribution in a manner that could potentially reshape future Heisman conversations beyond mere quarterback statistics.

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