For head football coach Keith Patterson and quarterback Maverick McIvor, this weekend’s trip to Lubbock will seem a bit like deja vu.
Both joined the Texas Tech Red Raiders in 2019, Patterson as defensive coordinator and McIvor as a potential quarterback. And when Patterson took the head coaching position at ACU, McIvor followed.
The quarterback is entering his last year of eligibility and beginning the year with a bit of a full circle moment, going back to where it started for him.
McIvor, a talent that was highly recruited after a stellar high school career at Central High, had 17 Div. I offers to choose from, ultimately choosing to attend Tech. However, injuries, more specifically an ACL and meniscus tear, significantly held him back. This injury stripped away his availability, causing him to never truly become solidified as a No. 1 guy for the Red Raider.
Patterson conversely had a bit more of a traditional career in Lubbock. As defensive coordinator, in his final year he was able to win the Liberty Bowl against Mississippi State. In that game, his defense surrendered only seven points while facing the great record-setting “air raid” offense mastermind, Mike Leach.
While he’s looking forward to his return to Lubbock, Patterson said he’s not looking to settle scores.
“I am so happy about the time spent in Lubbock,” he said. “I believe that we truly left it better than we found it. It was three incredible years there, with an entire community of support. Those people are truly the salt of the earth.”
However, these games are more than about past relationships, now three years removed it is time to compete and win for his new program in ACU, he said.
Patterson realizes he’s now the underdog. Nonetheless, he emphasized ACU is there to win. He said the team’s mentality this season is: “Respect everyone and fear no one.”
He said one of the biggest challenges his players will face is a star Tech running back he had a hand in recruiting, Tahj Brooks.
Brooks is 1,167 yards away from the Tech rushing yard record, and it is almost certain he will surpass that because he ran for 1,538 yards last year.
“Tahj deserves all the recognition received,” Patterson said. “If you can’t stop him you will be in for a long evening.”
Patterson said he is not staying committed to any specific coverage.
“We are prepared to do a great job of mixing things up,” he said.
If Patterson and McIvor can be successful, they have an opportunity to make this homecoming especially sweet.
