Wyoming 35, Texas Tech 33
by Russell Raunam
Alpha Media Intern
After an 80 minute rain delay to get things started, Texas Tech jumped out to a smothering start vs the Wyoming Cowboys. Wyoming’s first four drives resulted in: three and out, fumble, three and out, fumble. Where on the flip side, Texas Tech scored on three of their first four possessions including two touchdown strikes by Tyler Shough. This allowed Texas Tech to jump out to a 17-0 lead to end the 1st QTR.
All game Wyoming QB Andrew Peasley was taking hits left and right, removing him from the game multiple times. In the 2nd QTR, Isaiah Pierre launched at Peasley as he scrambled up the middle in the red zone, and sent Peasley straight to the ground which resulted in a review for targeting. The Red Raiders were relieved to learn Pierre would not be ejected from the game as targeting was not confirmed. Wyoming went on to score that same drive to draw closer to Texas Tech 17-10.
After two punts from each time, Texas Tech found themselves driving late in the first half attempting the double dip of scoring last in the 1st half, then opening the 2nd half with a score as well. Texas Tech managed to get in field goal range and after a messy situation that involved the clock operator, Texas Tech had 0:01 left on the clock to kick a field goal, after Gino Garcia drilled the 49 yard field goal, the refs waved it off giving the chance for the Wyoming players to get set. Garcia would go on to miss the field goal and went into the locker room up 17-10.
Wyoming continued where they left off in the 2nd half forcing a three and out and then following the stop with a 13 play, 76 yard drive that took 7:31 off the clock with a 16 yard run from Sam Scott. Sam Scott converted a 4th and two earlier in the drive to maintain possession and striking distance to Texas Tech.
In the 2nd half, Texas Tech did not have the ball very often due to Wyoming’s slow paced offense, and when the Red Raiders did have the ball, there were issues converting any points. Texas Tech missed their 2nd field goal in the game late in the 3rd QTR when Garcia kicked the ball with a very low trajectory, bouncing off his teammates helmet and never gave the kick a chance. After suffering a few more hits QB Andrew Peasley responded to Tech’s troubles with points, Wyoming marched down for yet another long, methodic drive, taking another valuable 6:14 off clock and drilling a 31 yard field goal to take the lead 20-17 with 9 minutes to go in the 4th quarter.
Texas Tech responded with a solid drive that included Tyler Shough converting two big 3rd downs including a 3rd and 15 to Jerand Bradley for a 29 yard gain. But when Jerand Bradley could not haul in a tight window throw on the third 3rd down for the Red Raiders, head coach Joey Mquire sent out Gino Garcia for redemption. Gino Garcia missed the 50 yarder off the upright, for his 3rd miss of the night leaving Texas Tech officially on upset watch.
The Red Raiders defense responded well forcing a three and out and giving the ball back to Tyler Shough who was looking to keep his 8-0 record when he started and finished the game for Texas Tech alive. Tyler Shough marched down the field, and set up Gino Garcia for this fifth attempt of the night. Garcia cashed in on the short 27 yarder, drawing the score even and forcing an OT that no one saw coming in Laramie, WY.
Overtime kicked off with Wyoming on offense first, scoring a touchdown off an Andrew Peasley QB power five yard run, going up by 7 as the hand the ball back to the Red Raiders.
Texas Tech countered Wyoming’s five play touchdown drive with their own, scoring a touchdown on their 5th straight run. A run-first offense was not something Texas Tech was known for, but OC Zach Kittley did his job and got the ball in the endzone. After Gino Garcia tied things up with a PAT. A second OT was on the way.
Texas Tech started with the ball in the second OT period and ended their drive with a wide open 16 yard touchdown to Jerand Bradley. Texas Tech failed to convert the mandatory two point conversion and handed the ball over with a 6 point lead.
After a 3rd and 7 incompletion, Wyoming was faced with a 4th down from Texas Tech’s 11 yard line. Texas Tech fired up a perfect blitz that sent a rusher straight to the quarterback giving Andrew Peasley a split second to throw. And that is exactly what he did. Peasley hit his receiver John Gyllenborg who was left wide open in the middle of the field. So with a gametine of nearly four hours. It comes down to a 2 point conversion to decide if the game should continue or not. Sam Scott, who tied the game earlier in 3rd, scored the game winning 2pt conversion sending Laramie into a madhouse as the sold out crowd of 26,450 rushed the field.
Texas Tech entered this game with hopes to become ranked after just missing out in the preseason AP poll. After this loss, they will be looking from the outside in, but have the opportunity to bounce back vs ranked Oregon at home in week 2.
Wyoming could not ask for a better start to their season, as they get a momentum non-conference upset win that jumpstarts the entire season. Wyoming will look to make it a win streak as they take on Portland State at home on Saturday.
