Sports

TTU Drops to 2-4 In Big Conference 12 Play

graphic of ttu's donovan smith

TTU Drops to 2-4 In Big 12 Conference Play After Loss to Undefeated OU

In recent news, TTU dropped to 2-4 in the Big 12 Conference this last Saturday against the Oklahoma Sooners. The Red Raiders, are now 5-4 on the season. Now under interim head coach Sonny Cumbie, TTU struggled in Norman against the now 9-0 Sooners. The contest was played Saturday, October 30th in Norman, Oklahoma, at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, with 82,732 in attendance. 

First Quarter

        This season, the Red Raiders have struggled in the first half, but after the last two weeks have turned that around. This time around, the Sooners would get things going first on a 22-yard pass to go up 7-0 early. The drive took 3:08 off the clock, and then the Red Raiders would get the ball back. 

Fortunately, Tech responded with an eight-play 83-yard drive that took up 3:54 of the clock. The drive was capped off on a 17-yard pass from Henry Colombi to Erik Ezukanma. The score would tie that game up at seven. While the Red Raiders did not score again, the Sooners rallied back on a quick three-play drive, only using 1:17 of the clock to score before the quarter ended to make the score 7-14.

Second Quarter

        After a fair first quarter and only down one touchdown, the Red Raiders did not fare as well in the second. The Sooner’s first drive would use a decent amount of clock on an eight-play 91-yard drive using 3:56 of time. The second scoring drive of the quarter from the Sooners would be much quicker. This time it would only take two plays for 17-yards in just 56 seconds to go up 28-7, heading into the half. 

Now down 28-7 heading into the half, the Red Raiders would need to make adjustments moving forward. 

Third Quarter

        Now TTU trying to avoid dropping to 2-4 in Big 12 play would come out with their second-half adjustments. While some of the adjustments worked, starting quarterback Colombi left the contest with an injury, and freshman quarterback Donovan Smith stepped in. 

The Sooners would take the first points of the second half with a 53-yard field go to make the score 31-7. Tech then got the ball back but would have a three-and-out giving the ball back to the Sooners. This time Oklahoma wasted no time scoring on a one-play 43-yard drive, only using eight seconds to make the score 7-38 halfway through the third. 

With ten quick points from the Sooners, the Red Raiders then responded with a touchdown of their own. This time it came courtesy of Donovan Smith on a 17-yard pass to JJ Sparkman. The score would come just before the end of the third on a ten-play 75-yard drive that took up 5:08 to make the score 14-38.

Fourth Quarter 

        Now down 24 heading into the fourth, the Red Raiders needed a solid fourth quarter. Unfortunately, Tech would not be able to do so, but did get points on the board.    

The Sooners would strike first on an eight-play 75-yard drive that took up 4:48 of the drive. Doing so extended the Sooner’s lead to 14-45. After the Red Raiders again three-and-out before Oklahoma got the ball again. On the Sooners next drive, it would only take four plays for forty-nine yards and use only 1:31 of the clock. This time the Sooners would have Spencer Rattler as the quarterback to make the score 14-52. 

With time now dwindling, the Red Raiders would not have time for a comeback but would have one last successful drive to end on a high note. This time the Red Raiders got their run game going on the six-drive 62-yards drive. It would take up 2:36 of the clock and be capped off on a one-yard rush by Xavier White. The score would essentially wrap up the game with a final score of 21-52. 

Key Players 

        While TTU dropped to 2-4 in Big 12 Conference play, many players would have fair games. Perhaps the biggest surprise came after Henry Colombi left the game with an injury. Donovan Smith would take over. In his first time leading the Red Raiders, Smith would have 17 completions for 192 yards with one touchdown and interception. 

Smith on the day also rushed for 22-yards, but Tech’s leading rusher was Xavier White. White would have 42 yards rushing for one touchdown on the day as the Red Raiders struggled to get the ball moving in the rush game. Tech would end the day with just 104-yards on the ground and look to improve in their next game. 

While the Tech run game was limited on the day, Erik Ezukanma had an exceptional day receiving. Ezukanma, on the day, had eight catches for 123 yards with a touchdown. No other receiver would break 40-yards on the day as the team would finish with 269 yards through the air.  

Overall 

        Overall, TTU would drop to 2-4 in Big 12 Conference play against the now 9-0 Oklahoma Sooners. With a much-needed bye week this upcoming week, the Red Raiders will prep for the next home game against Iowa State. With only three games remaining on the schedule, the game will be a great chance to become bowl eligible. The matchup is Youth Sports and Education Day. It will be played at home in Lubbock, Texas, at Jones AT&T Stadium on November 13th, with the time TBA. 

For last week’s Football Recap, click here!

For Texas Tech’s remaining schedule, click here!

Story by Campus Live Employee Trinity Porter

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