Texas Tech offensive coordinator Neal Brown was able to fulfill a preseason goal to get backup quarterback Michael Brewer a lot of playing time early. The redshirt freshman completed 23 for 34 passes for 231 yards and two touchdowns, getting into all three non-conference games.

Now his playing time will likely diminish, for the obvious reason that Big 12 Conference games will be much closer. On Monday, though, Brown said not having a third quarterback with any experience is a factor, too.

"The thing that makes me nervous about playing Brewer," Brown said, "he's a good runner -- obviously a better runner than Doege -- but we don't have a ton of depth there. That's what keeps us away from some packages and stuff for Brewer right now."

Brewer quarterbacked 10 series in the first three games, leading the offense to two touchdowns and three field goals.

Brown said it’s the most extensive playing time he’s gotten a No. 2 quarterback, dating to Brown’s previous job at Troy.

This week at Iowa State, Brown said, Doege “will play unless something happens.”