Sports

TTU Football Dismantles Kansas: Texas Tech 2-2 in Big 12 Action

Graphic of a ttu player running the ball with text texas tech vs kansas week 7 recap

TTU Football Dismantles Kansas En Route to Fifth Win Of The Season

TTU Football kicked off their seventh game of the season this last Saturday against the Kansas Jayhawks. The matchup took place on Saturday, October 16th in Lawrence, Kansas, at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. TTU set the stage early and dismantled the Jayhawks by putting on a clinic on both sides of the ball. It was a crucial win for the Red Raiders as they are just now one win away from being bowl eligible. 

TTU Football Dominates First Half Against Kansas

First Quarter

        The Red Raiders started the game offensively with a high note on a 10-play 75-yard that took the 4:32 off the clock. Quarterback Henry Colombi finished off the drive by running it in from one yard out to make the score 7-0 early. The score would put TTU ahead and be the Red Raider’s first lead of the game, where they would then control the rest of the game. 

Second Quarter

        After a slow first quarter, TTU football began to dismantle Kansas further. In the second, the first points on the board would come courtesy of kicker Johnathan Garibay, who capped off an eight-play drive with a 28-yard field goal. Fortunately, this would only be the beginning for the Red Raiders as their defense would hold to get the ball back. 

The next drive would be 4:50 on just ten plays for 55 yards as the Red Raiders kept their offensive momentum rolling. The drive would be capped off this time by Eric Ezukanma, who rushed it in from just nine yards out to make the score 17-0 with 5:28 left in the half. 

Texas Tech defense kept up their dominance on the next drive keeping the Jayhawks out of the endzone. Offensively on their next drive, the Red Raiders would have to run the two-minute drill with just over 2:30 left in the house. On the seven-play 64-yard drive, the Red Raiders capitalized by scoring again to make it 24-0 with just 32 seconds before the half. The series was capped off by a seven-yard rush by a third Red Raider, Myles Price, getting into the endzone.

TTU Football Continued Second Half Dominace As Kansas Scores Late

Third Quarter

        After an absolutely dominant first half by only allowing 20-passing yards and just four first downs, the Red Raiders were set to repeat in the second half. Texas Tech came out on offense in the second half with a good lead. This time using players down the depth chart. The first second-half drive was led by freshman Donovan Smith. Smith lead the Red Raider’s 92-yards on 11 plays in 4:27 and capped off the series with a five-yard rush. In dramatic fashion, Smith leveled a Kansas defender to get into the endzone. The touchdown would extend Tech’s lead to 31-0 with 6:50 left in the third. 

The Red Raiders would again get it done on defense, not letting the Jayhawks score. After doing so, Colombi and the rest of the Red Raiders offense would put together another successful drive. This time in a short drive, only taking 2:15 of the clock on just five plays for 57 yards, they punched it in. Tight end, Travis Koontz, would cap it off this time on a two-yard pass to take the score to 38-0. 

Fourth Quarter

        Heading into the fourth, Texas Tech had pretty much secured their win. This would give much of the second string a chance to get some reps in the game. In the Jayhawk’s first drive of the fourth, the Red Raiders would hold out Kansas once again. After doing so, the offense would take the field and charge down once again. Garibay ended the drive with a 48-yard field goal. This was the Red Raiders’ last points of the game as Kansas began to warm up. 

In the last 6:29 of the game, the Jayhawks punched in two touchdowns to bring the contest’s final score 41-14. 

Notable Players 

        TTU Football would have several players perform well while they dismantled Kansas. The team was led by quarterback Henry Colombi who had 14 completions for 124 yards for one touchdown and one interception. Donovan Smith also got some action completing four passes for 70-yards. 

On the rushing side of things, SaRodrick Thompson tallied up 83 on 6.4 yards per carry. Smith would chip in as well with 37 yards on the ground, and Colombi had 35 rushing yards.

As for receiving Erik Ezukanma was back from a concussion. He would have 76 yards on the day with a 47 yard TD. Mason Tharp would also contribute with 38 yards receiving with a 25-yard long. 

Perhaps the unspoken heroes of the game were the defense by hosting a shutout till late in the fourth quarter. The team was led in tackles by Riko Jeffers, who had six, followed by Colin Schooler, who had five. 

Overall 

        Overall, TTU Football would dismantle Kansas in every phase of the game to go on to win 41-14. While the offense was essentially unstoppable throughout, the defense played one of its best games of the year. Only allowing 14 points. The Red Raiders are now 5-2 on the season and just one win away from becoming bowl game eligible. 

Texas Tech Football now begins to look towards their next game against Kansas State. The game is slated for Saturday, October 23rd at 11 a.m. at home in Lubbock, Texas, at Jones AT&T Stadium. The game will be parents and family weekend for the Red Raiders and should be a packed house. Tickets are still available for purchase at TexasTech.com and will be available to watch on Fox Sports 1 and Texas Tech Sports Network. 

For Texas Tech Football entire schedule click here!

To compare our Kansas preview click here.

Story by Campus Live Employee Trinity Porter

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