Texas Tech got a huge 43-28 victory over Kansas to end a two-game losing streak. Tyler Shough got the start at quarterback for the Red Raiders. Shough finished with 246 passing yards, 76 rushing yards and two total touchdowns. It was the first game Shough started and finished since playing Florida International in 2021.
With the win, Tech improved to 5-5 and 3-4 in the Big 12. Kansas dropped to 6-4 and 3-4 in Big 12 play.
First Half
Both teams came out of the gate on fire. The Red Raiders drove 75 yards and scored on their opening drive. Kansas answered with a 66-yard touchdown on its opening possession.
Up 10-7 later in the half, Tech built on the early lead when running back SaRodorick Thompson scampered up the middle for a 36-yard score. The long touchdown gave Tech a 17-7 lead.
The Red Raiders eventually built up a 24-7 first half lead, but the Jayhawks came storming back. Kansas quarterback Jason Bean showed off his speed on a 16-yard scramble into the endzone, cutting Tech’s lead to 10.
Later in the second quarter, Jayhawk running back Devin Neal ran 63 yards to set up another touchdown pass from Bean. The score left Tech clinging to a 24-21 lead.
With Kansas threatening to score before halftime, Tech linebacker Kosi Eldridge intercepted a pass from Bean to protect the Red Raiders’ lead. On the next play, Shough found receiver Trey Cleveland along the sideline to set up kicker Trey Wolff with a 51-yard field goal attempt. Wolff boomed the kick through, and Tech went to the locker room up 27-21.
Second Half
The scoring came to a halt in the third quarter. The closest either team got to scoring was when Kansas kicker Jacob Borcila had a 37-yard field goal attempt tipped by Tech’s Tony Bradford. The ball fluttered and bounced off the crossbar, keeping it a six point contest.
On the first play of the fourth quarter, Tech broke the scoring drought. Shough scrambled from nine yards out and plunged into the endzone to give the Red Raiders a two possession lead.
Later in the quarter, Kansas made things interesting. Jason Bean scrambled and found receiver Quintin Skinner in the back corner of the endzone. The miraculous play cut Tech’s lead to five.
After a field goal gave Tech a 36-28 lead, the Jayhawks had one more opportunity to score and tie the game. On the first play of the drive, Bean was strip-sacked by Tech linebacker Jesiah Pierre. Defensive linemen Jaylon Hutchings recovered the loose ball, and Tech capitalized on the turnover with a late touchdown from running back Tahj Brooks to seal a 43-28 win.
Final takeaways
The Red Raiders earned a much needed win after back-to-back tough losses to Baylor and TCU. Tyler Shough looked sharp in his first start after his injury in week one. Part of that was the help he had on the ground. The Red Raiders totaled 264 rushing yards with three running backs topping 50 yards.
There is some concern on the defensive side of the ball, linebacker Tyree Wilson left the game with an apparent leg injury. The star edge rusher returned to the sideline on crutches and wearing a boot. Players like Jesiah Pierre will need to step in his absence for the remainder of the season.
Ultimately, it was a quality win for the Red Raiders who are just one win away from bowl eligibility.
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