TTU Push Past WVU In Final Seconds
With the fifth game of the season wrapped up, we recap Texas Tech football against the WVU Mountaineers in a nail-biting victory. In the second match-up of Big 12 play, the Mountaineers hosted the Red Raiders at Milan Puskar Stadium in Morgantown, West Virginia. The game was a must-win for both teams as they tried to keep from going 0-2 in conference play.
First Half of Texas Tech Football vs WVU Recap
First Quarter
The Red Raiders wasted no time jumping ahead after receiving the ball first. Both teams would go three-and-out on their first drives. On Texas Tech’s second drive, they would gain momentum and march down the field. SaRodorick Thompson capped off the drive with a one-yard score, followed by a field goal by Jonathan Garibay to go up 7-0 early.
Right before the first half ended Tech was able to put together another successful run. Like the first drive, Thompson would punch it in again, followed by Garibay to go up 14-0 at the end of the first quarter. Fortunately, the Red Raider defense was firing on all cylinders in the first half and shut out the Mountaineers.
Second Quarter
Moving into the second quarter, the Mountaineers and Red Raiders defenses would step up in a low-scoring quarter. Both teams would shut each other out until the last seconds of the half. In the last seconds of the half, TTU’s Garibay would come in and end it with a 33-yard field goal. The three-point score topped off a 12-play 59-yard drive to send the game into halftime with the Red Raiders up 17-0.
Second Half of Texas Tech Football vs WVU Recap
Third Quarter
To begin with the second half, the West Virginia Mountaineers would receive the ball first and respond. On a three-minute drive, running back Leddie Brown, topped off a seven-play 75-yard drive with a four-yard run to make the score 17-7. With West Virginia now on the board, the Red Raiders would have a game on their hands.
It would not take much longer as the Mountaineers would end their next drive with a field goal to make the score 17-10. The field goal would top off a nine-play 46-yard drive and put West Virginia that much closer.
Unfortunately, the Mountaineers were not done scoring in the third. After another three-and-out from the Red Raiders, the ball was given back to the Mountaineers. WVU then took over and went 86-yards in just six plays. Isaiah Esdale would complete the drive on a 14-yard pass from quarterback Jerret Doege. This last play would tie the game 17-17, with the Mountaineers making a comeback heading into the fourth.
Fourth Quarter
Now, all tied up going into the fourth quarter, Texas Tech would have to respond and did precisely that. After a nine-play 62-yard drive, the Red Raiders were able to get in field goal range and go for three. On a 29-yard attempt, Garibay put it through the uprights to take the score to 20-17.
The Red Raiders now had another three points on the board and regained the lead. West Virginia, now on offense, drained the clock by using over seven minutes on 13-plays for just 64-yards. They would also get into field goal range and kick it in from 28-yards out to tie the game. Now with 4:34 remaining in the game, Texas Tech had one more chance to come out on top.
On a relentless drive that took up 4:13 of time in eight plays for 70 yards, the Red Raiders would get back into field goal range. Garibay capitalized on the opportunity to make a 32-yard field to essentially ice the game with only 18 seconds left. Now up 23-20, the Red Raiders would hold on to get their first Big 12 victory of the season.
On another note, field goal kicker Jonathon Garibay was named the Big 12 Conference special teams’ player of the week as he would go perfect in the contest.
Overall
Overall in our Texas Tech football vs. WVU recap, even though it gave fans a scare, Texas Tech came out on top. Texas Tech won their first Big 12 Conference game of the season in Morgantown, West Virginia, as TTU would push past WVU. While the game may have been one-sided in the first half, the Mountaineers would not go down without a fight making it a close game in the third quarter. The rest is history as Garibay would have a phenomenal game, not missing a field goal the entire game to win 23-20.
The Red Raiders will now prep for their third Big 12 Conference foe, the TCU Horned Frogs. The game will be played at home in Lubbock, Texas, at Jones AT&T Stadium for Texas Tech’s homecoming game. Heading into the game with a 1-1 record in Big 12 play and 4-1 overall many consider this a must-win game. Fans are encouraged to wear black for what might be the biggest home game of the season. The game is slated to be played on Saturday, October 9th at 6 pm CT, and tickets are still available to purchase at TexasTech.com. You can also tune in to watch the game on ESPN and Texas Tech Sports Network.
For Texas Tech’s entire football schedule click here!
For last weeks recap versus Texas click here!
Story by Campus Live Employee Trinity Porter