Big 12 Report: Texas Tech coach Kliff Kingsbury gets revenge, K-State kicker wins weekly award

Texas Tech has the look of an improved team after its 35-24 victory at Arkansas over the weekend.

The win should have been enough to convince anyone Texas Tech is a different team than it was a year ago. But just in case there were still skeptics, coach Kliff Kingsbury erased all doubt in his postgame news conference.

Irked by a 49-28 home loss to the Razorbacks last season and some negative comments from Arkansas coach Bret Bielema about the spread offense Texas Tech runs, Kingsbury called out Bielema, saying he “just got his (behind) kicked.”

“That’s a program that prides themselves on being physical,” Kingsbury said Saturday. “At the Texas high school coaches convention this summer, (Bielema) stood up and said ‘if you don’t throw to the fullback, we’ll kick your (behind) and if you throw it 70 times a game we’ll kick your (behind).’ He just got his (behind) kicked twice in a row and probably next week by (Texas) A&M as well.

“That did feel good.”

You don’t see comments like that often — or ever, really — in college football. Kingsbury means business.

Bielema fired back Monday, stating Arkansas won more convincingly a year ago. He also suggested Kingsbury was too sensitive. When asked about his postgame remarks Monday, Kingsbury said he had moved on.

“I wasn’t defending anything,” Kingsbury said. “I was just kind of stating facts.”

And getting revenge.

Texas Tech may finally be off to a hot start it can sustain.

Things have gone horribly wrong in Lubbock since Kingsbury improbably won his first seven games on the job in 2013. The Red Raiders followed that incredible debut with five straight losses ending the regular season. They bounced back and beat Arizona State in the Holiday Bowl, but quarterback Baker Mayfield transferred to Oklahoma, where he is now one of the nation’s leading passers, and all the momentum they thought they had seemed to leave with him. Last season, Texas Tech won four games, suffering unsightly losses that included an 82-27 beatdown by TCU.

“I don’t think you forget losses like that,” Kingsbury said.

As it turns out, the Red Raiders play host to the Horned Frogs at home on Saturday. Could this be the beginning of a revenge tour?

Maybe. Behind quarterback Patrick Mahomes, Texas Tech appears much stronger and more determined. The Red Raiders rank near the top of college football in total offense, and their defense appears capable. Still, beating Sam Houston State, Texas-El Paso and Arkansas does not ensure they are ready for No. 3 TCU.

Though another lopsided game seems unlikely.

“We understand from watching film that Tech’s a better football team than they were a year ago,” TCU coach Gary Patterson said. “They’re completely different.”

Cantele honored by league

Kansas State senior kicker Jack Cantele was chosen Big 12 special teams player of the week Monday. Cantele made all four of his field-goal attempts during a 39-33 victory over Louisiana Tech on Saturday. It is the second time Cantele has received the honor.

Cantele opened the season as K-State’s backup kicker, behind Matthew McCrane. He has filled in since McCrane hurt his leg against Texas-San Antonio. Cantele is seven for seven on field-goal tries.

Sideline violation

Baylor assistant Jeff Lebby was on the Tulsa sideline during its game against Oklahoma on Saturday. His presence violated NCAA rules that say coaches cannot scout an opposing team in person during the season.

Baylor coach Art Briles said he will not punish Lebby for the error, leaving the matter to Baylor compliance. He said Lebby’s presence offered no advantage to the Bears. But he did call the incident “embarrassing,” adding that he called Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops to apologize.

This story was originally published September 21, 2015 at 2:39 PM with the headline "Big 12 Report: Texas Tech coach Kliff Kingsbury gets revenge, K-State kicker wins weekly award."