TTU Rolls Over FIU in Dominant Win
TTU rolls over FIU in their third game of the season as they would play their final game before heading into Big 12 Conference play. On Saturday, September 18th, the game would be played at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas, and would be the Ring of Honor Induction Game.
The matchup would only be the second time ever the two teams had faced off. The last time being in 2005 where the Red Raiders would annihilate the Panthers 56-3 led by former TTU quarterback Cody Hodges.
First Half
First Quarter
TTU coming into the game knew they would have to make many adjustments to prepare for Texas in the coming week. Texas Tech would first come out on defense after winning the coin toss and electing to defer to the second half. In a three-and-out, in the first drive of the game, the Red Raiders would get the ball back. Meanwhile, Tech would do the same going three-and-out.
On FIU’s second offensive possession of the game on an 88-yard drive, the Panthers were able to move the ball on the Texas Tech defense. As a result, FIU punched the ball in on a three-yard run by running back D’Vonte Price to go up 7-0 in the first quarter.
Again, going three-and-out on their next drive, the Red Raiders would look for an answer. This would come in Marquez Waters, who would pick the ball off for a 72-yard pick-six.
Second Quarter
The Red Raiders would be able to get their offense going in a dominant second quarter. The dominance would start with tight end Travis Koontz catching a four-yard touchdown pass from Tyler Shough to take their first lead of the game 7-14. The Panthers would then respond on a muffed punt and capitalize on tying the game up 14-14.
TTU would continue to roll over FIU on their next drive, courtesy of SaRodrick Thompson. Who would see the field for the first time this season. On a one-yard rush from Thompson, he would punch his way into the endzone to take the game’s score to 14-21.
Tech would then have another successful defensive stand to get the offense back on the field. This time the Red Raiders would connect a pass from Shough to Trey Cleveland. For his first collegiate reception and touchdown pass on a back of the endzone catch. The pass would be a 28-yard reception and take the score to 14-28.
Fast-forward after another successful defensive stand, the Shough would again find the tight end Koontz. This time on a one-yard touchdown pass to take the score to 14-35 right before the half. After a slow first quarter tied 7-7 then a dominant 28-7 second quarter, the Red Raiders would head into halftime with a 35-14 lead over the FIU Panthers.
Second Half
Third Quarter
TTU, who was rolling over FIU, would continue to do so in the second half after receiving the ball. On their first drive of the half, the Red Raiders would be forced to a fourth down. When placekicker Jonathon Garibay would kick a 21-yard field goal to get the Red Raiders on the board in the second half.
FIU would then respond with a long drive and cap it off with a touchdown. This would be the Panthers’ last points of the night as the Red Raider’s defense would tighten up.
Now up 21-38 in the contest, the Red Raiders would get the ball back. In his first collegiate touchdown, another tight end, Mason Tharp, would catch the ball. En route to a 25-yard touchdown from Shough. Placekicker Garibay would miss the PAT to make the score 21-44 late in the third.
Fourth Quarter
Now in the fourth quarter, TTU would continue rolling. Placekicker Garibay would get his redemption after missing a PAT with a 28-yard field goal to make the score 21-47.
The Red Raiders would now put their second string in, led by quarterback Henry Colombi. In the series, TTU would continue to move the ball and eventually score on a quarterback-designed run play. Where Colombi would rush for 19 yards en route to his first touchdown of the season. These would be the last points put on the board for either team to finish the game with a final score of 54-21.
TTU Rolls over FIU Notable Players
In the matchup, the Red Raiders would be led by quarterback Tyler Shough. Who would tally up 26 completions for 399 yards and four touchdowns on the day. In short, look for Shough to lead his team through the rest of the season.
On the running side of things, the run game was somewhat stale for the Red Raiders. As no back would run for over 50-yards in the contest. The leading rusher for the Red Raiders in the game would again be Tahj Brooks, who would only rush for 47-yards. He would be followed by Xavier White, who would rush for 36-yards.
As for the receivers for Texas Tech, their leading receiver Eric Ezukanma would have a quiet night. The Red Raiders would be led by Kaylon Geiger, who would tally up 121 yards on six passes. He would be followed by tight end Mason Tharp, who would have three completions for 61 yards and a touchdown. The longest pass play of the night would come from Dalton Rigdon. He would only catch one pass from 59-yards before getting caught at the five-yard line.
Overall
Overall, after a slow first quarter start and being down twice in the contest. The Red Raiders would put on a clinic starting in the second quarter. The team would show out for an almost packed stadium en route to TTU rolling over FIU with big names at the game, such as Waka Flocka Flame.
In conclusion, now 3-0 on the season, Texas Tech will prepare for an in-conference rival and their first Big 12-Conference opponent in Texas. Look for this to be a very competitive game as both teams will be looking to prove a point. The game is slated to begin Saturday, September 25th at 11 am in Austin, Texas, at Darrel K Royal Texas-Memorial Stadium. You can watch the game on ABC and Texas Tech Sports Network or buy your ticket today at TexasTech.com
For the entire Texas Tech Football Schedule click here!
Check out Campus Live’s recap over TTU vs SFA!
Story by Campus Live Employee Trinity Porter