It took Cincinnati’s All-American nose tackle Dontay Corleone to best describe what it’s like to play against Texas Tech football running back Taj Brooks.
In the Red Raiders’ 44-41 win, Brooks bulldozed through the Bearcats’ defense, carrying the ball 32 times for 172 yards and two touchdowns, just shy of his career record. Cincinnati head coach Scott Satterfield was particularly impressed with Brooks’ blocking, which helped create big plays for quarterback Behren Morton in the passing game.
“He’s definitely a good running back,” Corleone said. “He’s very patient. Probably the most patient back I’ve ever played against.”
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Brooks started his Texas Tech career showing his perseverance in other ways, spending his first three years with the Red Raiders primarily on split carries with Sarodorick Thompson and between the two running backs. There was almost a 50-50 split. Since Thompson’s graduation, Brooks has been the unquestioned No. 1 back and has had to use that patience in his run.
“The first two years, I wasn’t as patient as you might think now,” Brooks said Tuesday. “I’ve had to grow up there. And I’ve had to grow up watching a lot more football than I did my first two years. I’ve watched a lot of football. A lot of blitz. I’ve seen a lot of defensive coordinators who are in the NFL or on their way to the NFL, so I’ve seen a lot of different types of looks.
“It takes patience, but then you succeed, but you just miss everyone.”
Head coach Joey McGuire said Brooks was a little too patient on some plays against Cincinnati. Center Sheridan Wilson was doing everything he could to help Corleone find holes for Brooks.
“There wasn’t a guy around who could be that patient,” McGuire said. He has very good balance and his thighs are very big, so if you hit low he’ll get bounced a lot and if you tackle him high you’ll definitely get bounced back. ”
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Brooks played in four of Tech’s five games and ranks second in the nation in rushing attempts (103) and sixth in rushing yards (551). Since Brooks has become a hot commodity this year, teams have made a concerted effort to shut him down. The reason Brooks has yet to reach 100 yards in four games is because the passing game has been as effective as ever.
“Once we get the light box, we’re going to run the football,” associate head coach Kenny Perry said. “When you get a heavy box, you’re going to throw to the guys that have made plays, the receivers, the tight ends. It’s hard for the defense because they start getting into the guessing game. Once we start, it’s in our hands.”
McGuire said the Indianapolis Colts came to scout the Red Raiders earlier this week, and the coach spent a lot of time watching Brooks, who was 616 yards shy of matching Byron Hunspard’s all-time rushing record. That’s what it means.
“I don’t know who has a better total back in college football than Taj Brooks,” McGuire said. “I’m not trading for anybody. I’m telling you, anybody else can take whoever they want with the first pick. I’m going to take Taj Brooks. ”
