The Texas Tech football team (6-4) defeated Iowa State (6-4) 41-38 on a last second 62-yard field goal from kicker Jonathan Garibay.
In what has been an eventful week for the Red Raiders, the team capped it off with a thrilling shootout victory over the Cyclones. The win gave the Red Raiders bowl eligibility for the first time since the 2017 season.
Donovan Smith Shines in the First Half
Texas Tech received the opening kickoff and drove right down the field on a 75-yard scoring drive that took only four minutes and 18 seconds. The drive was capped by a 14-yard touchdown by running back Tahj Brooks.
After Iowa State tied the game at seven, Tech answered back when redshirt freshman quarterback Donovan Smith found receiver Myles Price wide open in the middle of the field for a 39-yard touchdown.
In the second quarter, Tech took a 21-7 lead following a 75 yard drive that ate up eight minutes. Smith found receiver Eric Ezukanma who made a spectacular contested catch on an end zone fade route.
The Red Raiders stretched the lead to 28-7 when Smith connected with Ezukanma again. This time it was an 18-yard touchdown pass that capped a three play drive.
The Cyclones tried to recapture some momentum before halftime when running back Breece Hall scampered in for a 17-yard score to cut the Tech lead to 28-14. Tech regained a three-score lead when kicker Jonathan Garibay nailed a 45-yard field goal right at the halftime buzzer.
Tech Survives a Cyclone Storm
Late in the third quarter, Iowa State quarterback Brock Purdy found tight end Charlie Kolar for a nine yard touchdown to make the score 31-21.
Following a Tech punt, the Cyclones drove 75 yards in under three minutes and scored a touchdown to cut the Red Raider lead to three. Purdy once again found Kolar in the endzone.
Tech took back some momentum on a crucial third down in the fourth quarter. Smith hit Myles Price for a 28-yard gain that set up a 13-yard touchdown run from running back SaRodorick Thompson. The score put the Red Raiders up 38-28.
With just over six minutes to go in the game, Purdy threw his third touchdown pass to Breece Hall. The score allowed the Cyclones to draw to within three.
After a Tech punt, the Cyclones drove 68 yards to set up a game-tying field goal. Kicker Andrew Mevis drilled a 29-yard attempt to tie the game at 38.
With exactly one minute on the clock and no timeouts, the Red Raider offense scrambled to get within field goal range. At the Iowa State 46 yard line, Smith found running back Xavier White who got out of bounds to stop the clock after gaining two yards.
The two-yard completion set up Jonathan Garibay with a chance to win the game with a lengthy 62-yard field goal attempt. Garibay swung his leg and booted the attempt through the uprights as time expired to give Tech a thrilling 41-38 victory over the Cyclones.
Comments From the Red Raiders
Interim head coach Sonny Cumbie said he was proud of his team for rising to the challenge.
“In this game our defense, our special teams, and our offense rose up time and time again.” Cumbie said. “This game is about players and us pouring into them and they did that tonight. They had a great night and you can’t be any more excited and proud of a group of kids than those players that we have in that locker room right now.”
Kicker Jonathan Garibay said he did not know his game-winning kick went in until he saw the referees signal a successful attempt.
“My O-line [offensive line] stands up and I mean I’m six feet tall so I couldn’t see so I’m like, let me wait.” Garibay said with a smile.
Garibay’s 62-yard field goal set a brand new school record for longest made field goal. The record was previously held by kicker Blade Adams who made a 57-yarder against Texas A&M in 1977.
Quick Hits
- Donovan Smith threw for 322 yards and three touchdowns in his first start.
- Myles Price racked up a career-high 175 receiving yards on nine receptions.
- The Tech defense held Iowa State to only 89 total rushing yards.
- Texas Tech earned bowl eligibility for the first time since 2017.
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