Final Wrap: BYU 27, Texas Tech 14
By Russell Raunam
Alpha Media Intern
The Texas Tech Red Raiders started true freshman Jake Strong on Saturday, making it the 4th season in the last 5 that the Red Raiders have started 3+
different QB’s in the given year. The BYU Cougars made their presence known to the young QB all game. The Cougars forced a season high 5 turnovers in a 27-14 win this weekend, TTU QB Jake Strong threw three interceptions, while Tahj Brooks and Myles Price both accounted for a loss fumble.
If you take away the turnovers, the Red Raiders were solid on offense, going 7/10 on 3rd down in the first half, and racking up 233 total yards. But a goal line
fumble on 4th down, another fumble that resulted in a scoop and score for the Cougars, and two interceptions slowed down any momentum the Red Raiders
had in the first half. And landed them in a 14-0 hole early.
Following criticism from media and fans, TTU fed Tahj Brooks the ball heavily despite being down all game. Brooks received 34 touches, setting a career high, with 105 rushing yards, a score, and 15 additional receiving yards. Brooks constantly got met at the line of scrimmage and tried his best to gain any possible yards. Brooks rushed for a 33 yard run in the 3rd, but it was called back due to holding. This would have been his second longest run of the year. QB Jake Strong struggled for the Red Raiders going 19/37 with one TD and three INT’s. Strong threw for 236 yards with 98 of them going to Xavier White. White connected with Strong for a 72 yard touchdown in the 2nd QTR. This was Texas Tech’s longest play from scrimmage in 2023. The BYU Cougars who entered this game as the 10th ranked defense in the Big 12 stepped up big time holding the fast paced Texas Tech offense to just 13 points. While Texas Tech outgained BYU in every yardage stat there is, losing a turnover 5-0 will make things nearly impossible to mount a comeback.
The BYU offense struggled Saturday in a rare game that found the rushing attack accounting for more yards than star QB Kedon Slovis. You could consider arguing BYU was winning all game and found no need to ask for Slovis to carry the team on his shoulders, but the offense was efficient when they needed to be. The BYU offense had five 3 and outs and eight punts in total. But when they were not shut down early and found themselves punting back to Texas Tech? BYU scored on 4⁄5 drives that consisted of 6+ plays. This killed any momentum for the Red Raiders as just when you might think they are back in the game, Slovies would respond with a score. One bright side for Texas Tech was its ability to shut down star BYU WR Chase Roberts. Roberts entered Saturday averaging over 14 yards a catch and 70+ yards a game. Roberts was held to just two catches totaling nine yards, both were season lows.
BYU did not let penalties make them lose this game, receiving just 4 for 24 yards, where Texas Tech secured 9 penalties, for a total of 80 yards. After a touchdown and quick three and out, Texas Tech found themselves midway through the 4th quarter down just two possessions and driving the football into BYU territory. But after a Jake Strong INT thrown down the field, the game was all but over. Giving BYU the win, 27-13.
BYU improves to 5-2 (2-2) while Texas Tech stares at a 3-5 (2-3) record. BYU will travel to Austin where they will square off with UT next week.
Texas Tech will head into a needed bye week before facing TCU on an uncommon Thursday night home game on November 2.
