Red Raiders Upset #11 Iowa State on the road 23-22 For Bowl Eligibility
Tahj Brooks walked into the end zone with 20 seconds left giving the Red Raiders a 23-22 lead they would not relinquish. Behren Morton led the Red Raiders on a 12 play 71 yard drive in 1:47 to lead the Red Raiders to victory. Brooks with 25 carries for 122 yards disappeared in the middle of the game. He was there when he was needed for the touchdown that gave Texas Tech bowl eligibility for the 4th time in 4 years, the third under Joey McGuire. This streak is the best since 2007-13.
It was the perfect start to the game, the Red Raiders take the first drive 72 with four Tahj Brooks runs to take a 7-0 lead after Behren Morton throws a 35 yard dart to Josh Kelly who caught the ball at the 12 and walked into the end zone. The defense was salty limiting the Cyclones to 2 field goals, a interception, 2 punts and a 4th down stop. However with 30 seconds left in the 1st half, the Cyclones drove 50 yards after the 2nd interception of Behren Morton for the leading touchdown at the half.
The Red Raiders were stymied by Iowa State with only 27 yards in the second quarter and -9 rushing yards.
At half:
Iowa State in their last 25 games were 25-0 when leading at half. The Red Raiders under Joey McGuire was 2-11 trailing at half. This changed today.
The Cyclones 1st drive of the 2nd half was to the Texas Tech 32 where their fumbled the ball away. Rocco Becht passed up the middle to Gabe Burkle to the 20, who had the ball punched out by Jacob Rodriguez and recovered by Chapman Lewis at the Red Raider 14. Texas Tech was unable to advance the ball and forced to punt after a quick 3 and out.
Behren Morton drove the Red Raiders on a 13 play 98 yard drive capped off by a 19 yard Morton to Kelly pass for a touchdown to give the Red Raiders a 17-13 lead with 5:45 left in the 3rd. Texas Tech scored 4 times on 12 drives while Iowa State scored 5 in 13. After giving up 3 1st half sacks, the Red Raider offensive line was admirable in the rain as they kept Morton from any further injury.
The wet field played a factor for both teams as players slipped and slide especially in the 2nd half. Josh Kelly had 8 catches for 127 yards on 19 targets to lead the Red Raiders.
Texas Tech faces the Colorado Buffalos next Saturday at the Jones. Time will be announced tomorrow with the game on a Fox affiliated network.