Tag: Texas Tech

Dec 27, 2024; Memphis, TN, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks wide receiver Dazmin James (83) runs after a catch during the second quarter against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Taylen Green, Arkansas overpower Texas Tech in Liberty Bowl

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Taylen Green threw for 341 yards and accounted for three touchdowns as Arkansas pulled away in the second half to earn a 39-26 win over Texas Tech in the Liberty Bowl in Memphis on Friday.

Green completed 11 of 21 passes, two for touchdowns, and added 81 yards and a score on 15 rushes. He led a big-play attack that saw the Razorbacks (7-6) pile up 559 total yards.

Will Hammond connected on 20 of 34 passes for 280 yards, a touchdown and two second-half interceptions for the Red Raiders (8-5), filling in for injured starter Behren Morton (shoulder surgery). J’Koby Williams rushed for 123 yards and a TD on 15 carries.

However, Texas Tech’s offense, which trimmed a 21-3 first-quarter deficit to 21-19 in the second quarter, couldn’t respond in the second half. The Red Raiders’ only score after halftime was Hammond’s 15-yard connection to Coy Eakin with 3:06 left in the game.

Arkansas led 24-19 at halftime but steadily tacked on to its lead via all three phases. Matthew Shipley converted a 34-yard field goal with 10:52 to go in the third quarter, and Green added a 47-yard touchdown pass to a wide-open Tyrell Reed Jr. with 7:07 left in the third.

In the first minute of the fourth quarter, Anton Juncaj made it 36-19 when he sacked Hammond in the end zone for a safety. Shipley capped the Razorbacks’ scoring on a 43-yard field goal with 5:02 left.

Arkansas’ fast start set the game’s tone. Green scored on a 12-yard touchdown jaunt on the Razorbacks’ first possession, one play after Rodney Hill ripped off a 70-yard run.

After Gino Garcia toed a 37-yard field goal for the Red Raiders, the Razorbacks upped the advantage to 21-3 on Braylen Russell’s 1-yard scoring run and Green’s 94-yard touchdown pass to Dazmin James — his first career catch. James finished with three receptions for 137 yards, and teammate Isaac TeSlaa made three catches for 107 yards.

In the second quarter, Texas Tech bounced back with Isaac Smith’s sack of Green in the end zone for a safety. Williams added a 54-yard scoring run and Jalin Conyers got the Red Raiders within two points on a 2-yard touchdown run with 1:58 left in the half.

Shipley’s 40-yard field goal capped a wild first half that saw the teams combine for 687 yards.

–Field Level Media

Nov 16, 2024; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback Taylen Green (10) rushes in the first quarter against the Texas Longhorns at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images

Arkansas, Texas Tech enter Liberty Bowl after roster attrition

Posted on | by Field Level Media

With the transfer portal taking big bites out of its offense and certain spots on the defense, Arkansas will turn to some fresh faces to make key contributions Friday night when it meets Texas Tech in the Liberty Bowl in Memphis, Tenn.

After going 6-6, a two-game improvement over 2023, the Razorbacks have experienced some roster turbulence since the transfer portal activated two weeks ago. Among their big losses on offense were second-leading receiver Isaiah Sategna, center Addison Nichols and guards Joshua Braun and Patrick Kutas.

In addition, leading rusher Ja’Quinden Jackson (790 yards, 15 touchdowns) and top receiver Andrew Armstrong, who led the Southeastern Conference with 1,140 yards, opted out of the bowl game. The defense waved goodbye to safety TJ Metcalf and linebacker Brad Spence.

However, the remaining players don’t intend to let the departures deter them from their task of sealing a winning season in front of what should be a huge contingent of Arkansas fans that figure to make a relatively short trip into west Tennessee.

“Going 7-6 with a winning record would be good,” linebacker Stephen Dix said. “At the end of the day, we know that we’re capable of so much more … look back at the games and the coaches showed us how small the margins was for our losses against really good teams.”

The Razorbacks figure to build their attack around quarterback Taylen Green (2,812 passing yards, 13 touchdowns). The Boise State transfer also rushed for 521 yards and seven scores. Isaac TeSlaa (25 catches, 439 yards) is his top returning receiver for the bowl game.

Texas Tech’s departures since finishing an 8-4 regular season are impactful if not quite as numerous. The chief hole on the depth chart is at quarterback as Behren Morton (shoulder surgery) and his 3,335 yards and 27 TD passes will be on the sidelines.

In addition, leading receiver Josh Kelly (89 catches, 1,023 yards) opted out in favor of getting an early jump on preparing for a potential NFL career. The status of leading rusher Tahj Brooks, who compiled 1,505 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns, could be a game-time decision, according to coach Joey McGuire.

Brooks has been at every practice leading up to the bowl but has pondered opting out. McGuire said other players who have entered the portal are being allowed to play in the bowl since they have done a lot for the program this year.

“If he does play,” McGuire said of Brooks, “of course that’s going to be incredible. If he doesn’t, then we’re going to see (freshman running backs) J’Koby Williams and Cam Dickey.”

Freshman Will Hammond, who in limited duty has completed 15 of 23 passes for 191 yards with a touchdown, will start at quarterback. He will have the services of second-leading receiver Caleb Douglas, who caught a career-high 55 passes for 762 yards and six scores.

Arkansas is listed as a two-point favorite despite the Red Raiders boasting wins over CFP quarterfinalist Arizona State and Iowa State. The Razorbacks’ best win came in October against Tennessee, which reached the CFP but lost to Ohio State in the first round.

Arkansas owns a 29-8 advantage in the series of former Southwest Conference rivals, although Texas Tech won the last meeting 35-24 in 2015.

–Field Level Media

Texas Tech defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter gestures during a drill during football practice, Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2024, at the Sports Performance Center.

Texas Tech fires DC DeRuyter, secondary coach Yates

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After Texas Tech allowed the second-most passing yards in the country this season, it cost defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter and secondary coach Marcel Yates their jobs on Sunday.

The Red Raiders (8-4, 6-3 Big 12) beat West Virginia 52-14 on Saturday to close their regular season but finished last in the conference in passing yards allowed (305.3).

DeRuyter, 61, had been Texas Tech’s defensive coordinator since 2022 following a season in the same role at Oregon. Among many collegiate coaching jobs since 1989, he served as Fresno State’s head coach from 2012-16.

Yates, 47, has been a college assistant coach since 2001, joining the Red Raiders’ staff in 2022 as passing coordinator. This was his first season as Texas Tech’s secondary coach.

“I appreciate the work Coach DeRuyter and Coach Yates have provided our program the past three seasons,” Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire said in a statement. “This was a difficult but necessary decision as we continue to elevate this program to competing annually at the highest levels of college football.”

Texas Tech will name an interim defensive coordinator for its bowl game, McGuire said.

–Field Level Media

Texas Tech football coach Joey McGuire looks on against Colorado in a Big 12 game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, at Jones AT&T Stadium.

Tahj Brooks caps season of 100-yard games as Texas Tech clubs West Virginia

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Tahj Brooks set a school season record with his 11th 100-yard rushing game to lead Texas Tech to a 52-15 victory Saturday over West Virginia in Lubbock, Texas, to conclude the regular season.

The Red Raiders (8-4, 6-3 Big 12) reached eight wins in the regular season for the first time since 2009.

Brooks finished with 188 yards and three touchdowns on 23 carries.

Behren Morton completed 28 of 41 pass attempts for 359 yards with two touchdowns and an interception.

West Virginia (6-6, 5-4) failed in its bid to finish unbeaten in Big 12 road games this season. The Mountaineers won their first three conference road games.

Garrett Greene was 29 of 39 for 265 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions.

Jahiem White gained 124 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries.

Brooks rushed for 93 yards on 10 carries, including three touchdowns, in the first half as Texas Tech built a 35-3 lead.

Morton passed for 242 yards and a touchdown while completing 20 of 28 pass attempts in the half.

West Virginia was limited to 125 yards of total offense in the first half while Texas Tech amassed 339.

The Mountaineers had only 27 yards on the ground, mostly because Garrett Greene was sacked four times, twice by linebacker Terrell Tilmon.

The Red Raiders scored on all six of their six possessions in the first half, two field goals followed by four touchdowns.

Brooks’ touchdown runs occurred on quick possessions of 2:11, 1:05 and 38 seconds.

The last two occurred after turnovers.

After CJ Baskerville intercepted a pass from Greene at the West Virginia 32, Brooks scored on a 37-yard run with 1:35 left in the half.

Greene was then sacked Tilmon, who forced a fumble that was recovered by Brenden Jordan at the Mountaineers’ 35.

A 30-yard pass from Morton to Brooks set up Brooks’ 2-yard touchdown run with nine seconds left before halftime.

Texas Tech continued the scoring barrage in the second half, going 75 yards on nine plays in the first possession.

Morton’s 31-yard pass to Caleb Douglas capped the drive, increasing the lead to 42-3.

The Red Raiders’ streak of scoring possessions ended at seven when Anthony Wilson Jr. intercepted a pass from Morton with 8:07 left in the third quarter.

–Field Level Media

Texas Tech football coach Joey McGuire looks on against Colorado in a Big 12 game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, at Jones AT&T Stadium.

Texas Tech outscores Oklahoma State in wild offensive display

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Behren Morton threw for four touchdowns and Tahj Brooks ran for three and caught another as Texas Tech prevailed in a wild game with Oklahoma State, winning 56-48 on Saturday at Stillwater, Okla.

With all the offense, it was a defensive play that perhaps made the biggest difference. Instead of Oklahoma State pulling even as had been the trend on the afternoon, Texas Tech’s Jacob Rodriguez scooped a fumble and ran for a touchdown with 4:45 remaining for the first of his two key late-game plays.

Suddenly, the Red Raiders (7-4, 5-3 Big 12 Conference) held a two-possession lead. But Maealiuaki Smith connected with Rashod Owens for a 10-yard touchdown (the extra-point attempt failed) to close the gap to eight points with 2:35 left in regulation.

Morton finished 35-for-50 for 366 yards with an interception.

Ollie Gordon II rushed for three touchdowns and 156 yards for Oklahoma State (3-8, 0-8), which lost its eighth consecutive game.

Smith threw for two touchdowns and 326 yards with one interception for the Cowboys. Smith played in place of Alan Bowman, a former Texas Tech player who had led Oklahoma State in passing in every game this season.

After Owens’ late touchdown, Texas Tech tried to keep possession to run out the clock. Morton had a 12-yard run on third-and-11. Still, the Red Raiders ended up punting, but Oklahoma State’s last-ditch effort was doomed by Rodriguez interception at the 50 with 7 seconds remaining.

Caleb Douglas, Jalin Conyers, Mason Tharp and Brooks made TD receptions for the Red Raiders. Brooks also gained 133 rushing yards on 28 carries, and Douglas accumulated 105 receiving yards on five catches.

Oklahoma State’s De’Zhaun Stribling (133 yards) and Owens (124) were tops in receiving yards.

Texas Tech never trailed, but the score was tied at 14, 21, 28, 35 and 42.

Brooks put the Red Raiders up 49-42 on his 1-yard touchdown run with 6:12 remaining in the fourth quarter. That was his third touchdown run in a 15-minute span.

The feisty nature of the game resulted in unsportsmanlike conduct penalties against both teams in the fourth quarter.

–Field Level Media

Nov 9, 2024; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders tight end Jalin Conyers (12) rushes for a touchdown against the Colorado Buffalos in the first half at Jones AT&T Stadium and Cody Campbell Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-Imagn Images

OK State targets first Big 12 win with defensive weakling Texas Tech on deck

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Late November games with low-level stakes aren’t a familiar concept to Texas Tech and Oklahoma State.

And in a season that began with the Red Raiders and Cowboys plotting a big impact in the new-look Big 12 Conference, they’re both surprised to be here.

But that’s the backdrop when they meet after notable missteps by the Red Raiders. The season has been unraveling for most of the last two months for the Cowboys.

Neither team is in contention for the conference championship game with two weeks to go.

Texas Tech (6-4, 4-3) has dropped three of its last four league games after a promising start. Oklahoma State (3-7, 0-7) is pushing to the finish of its worst season since coach Mike Gundy’s debut in 2005.

“I’m as frustrated as anybody else,” said Red Raiders coach Joey McGuire, who has guided his team to a third straight bowl-eligible season in his third season. “It’s frustrating to me the opportunities that we’ve let get away because we haven’t been good enough on game day.”

Gundy can certainly relate.

The Cowboys finish with a losing record for just the second time in his 20-year tenure and an 18-year bowl game streak won’t make it to 19.

Ranked in the preseason Top 25, Oklahoma State began the season 3-0 with a solid victory against Arkansas but a wave of injuries has yielded seven losses in a row – four by 21 points or more.

The Cowboys lost defensive starters Collin Olliver, Nick Martin and Cameron Epps to season-ending injuries. They head into Saturday ranked last in the Big 12 in total defense, allowing just a tick under 500 yards a game, and next-to-last in scoring defense with foes averaging 31.9 points.

Texas Tech is the only team that has given up more points: 35.1 per game.

The Red Raiders have been effective with the ball in their hands. They rank second in the league with 441 yards per contest and are the Big 12’s highest-scoring offense at 35.5 points a game.

So the challenge is daunting for the Cowboys, who hit mid-November playing out the string for the first time since Gundy took over.

But Gundy expects his team’s effort to be at the same level the program has expected since he grabbed the reins at his alma mater and built one of the most consistent programs in the Big 12.

“It’s competition, same thing that I would say each week, and that when these guys walk on campus, they should be committed to themselves and to the team and then to whoever helped get them here and their family, or whoever raised them and put a lot into them,” Gundy said. “The most important thing that they can do is continue to train and work and stay together and compete, which they have.”

–Field Level Media

Oct 26, 2024; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) prepares to pass the ball in the first quarter against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

No. 20 Colorado, Texas Tech clash in key Big 12 game

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No. 20 Colorado and host Texas Tech have their sights set on a trip to the Big 12 Championship when they square off Saturday afternoon in Lubbock, Texas.

Colorado (6-2, 4-1 Big 12) is tied for second place with Iowa State, and Texas Tech (6-3, 4-2) is tied with four other teams with two Big 12 losses.

Texas Tech traveled to Ames, Iowa, last week as a 13-point underdog and handed Iowa State its first loss of the season. The Red Raiders beat the Cyclones 23-22 when Behren Morton led a 71-yard scoring drive that Tahj Brooks capped with a touchdown run with only 20 seconds remaining.

Morton has thrown for 2,300 yards and 19 touchdowns against five interceptions. His quarterback rating is 136.1. Brooks has 1,047 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns. Josh Kelly has 68 catches for 736 yards and five touchdowns.

Under coach Joey McGuire, Texas Tech has a 9-2 record in November and December.

“We face a daunting task playing a team coming off a huge upset,” Colorado coach Deion Sanders said. “I won’t call it an upset though, because I know Joey and know they felt like they would go in there and do what they did.”

In his third season leading the Texas Tech program, McGuire has lofty postseason expectations.

“We didn’t want to just get bowl eligible in November,” McGuire said. “It’s awesome that we did that. But, playing a game that keeps you in the mix is what we face on Saturday. If we take care of business Saturday, then we are still in the mix to try and get to Arlington and that’s the ultimate goal as far as pushing the program forward.”

The Buffaloes were on a bye last week. They beat Cincinnati 34-23 on Oct. 16 when Shedeur Sanders threw for 323 yards and two touchdowns and Travis Hunter had nine catches for 153 yards and two touchdowns.

Shedeur Sanders has thrown for 2,591 yards and completed over 73 percent of his passes. He has 21 passing touchdowns, six interceptions and has been sacked 25 times. His patience in the pocket has allowed playmakers Hunter, LaJohntay Wester and Jimmy Horn Jr. to rack up impressive receiving statistics. Two-way star Hunter has 60 catches for 757 yards and eight touchdowns; Wester has 501 yards and seven touchdowns; and Horn Jr. has 434 yards. Colorado has five players who average double-digit yards per catch.

“I believe we are facing two of the best college football players in the country,” McGuire said. “Travis Hunter is probably the leader in the Heisman Trophy race right now and is a generational player. You have to go a long way back to find a guy that can take over 100 snaps on Saturday and play at an elite level. Then, in my opinion Shedeur Sanders is the best quarterback in college football. If I was an NFL GM, he would be the first pick in the draft.”

Colorado has won its last two road games by 27 points each. Deion Sanders said the Buffaloes have been focused and embraced the challenge of playing on the road.

“Every game is a playoff game for us,” he said. “Every game is the Super Bowl to us. We are in a single-elimination tournament, and we are approaching every game with passion, purpose, consistency, focus and a dog-like attitude.”

–Field Level Media

Iowa State Cyclones wide receiver Jayden Higgins (9) makes a catch around Texas Tech Red Raiders' defensive back Maurion Horn (4) during the second quarter in the week-10 NCAA football at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in Ames, Iowa.

Texas Tech topples No. 11 Iowa State with 12-play drive in final minutes

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Texas Tech defeated No. 11 Iowa State 23-22 on Saturday in Ames, Iowa, following a fourth-quarter comeback orchestrated by quarterback Behren Morton.

Tahj Brooks crossed the goal line on the game-winning touchdown for the Red Raiders (6-3, 4-2) with 19 seconds remaining to cap off a 12-play, 71-yard drive. With Morton lined up as a receiver on the second-and-goal play, Brooks caught a direct snap and ran into the right side of the end zone.

Morton had 237 yards of passing on 21-of-40 passing, with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Both touchdown passes went to Josh Kelly, who had 127 receiving yards on eight receptions.

The Cyclones (7-1, 4-1) undefeated and averaging 25.1 penalty yards per game entering the day, were dealt their first loss, committing eight penalties for 59 yards in the process.

On one penalty, Morton was intercepted by Jontez Williams, but an illegal hands to the face flag on Tyler Onyedim kept the ball in the Red Raiders’ hands. Morten led Texas Tech for nine more plays in the drive, ending with a 19-yard touchdown pass to Kelly.

Even so, it looked like Iowa State had their second straight fourth-quarter comeback when Rocco Becht found Carson Brown for a 44-yard touchdown with 2:11 remaining in the game. But that left Texas Tech plenty of time to run a successful two-minute offense.

After Texas Tech’s game-winning drive, Iowa State had a chance to get into field goal range for a game-winning kick. On the final play, the Cyclones tried to use laterals to keep the game going after the clock hit zero, but couldn’t convert on the play, giving the Red Raiders the victory.

Becht had 299 yards of passing with two touchdowns and an interception. Jayden Higgins was Iowa State’s top receiver on the day, catching 10 passes for 140 yards with a touchdown.

–Field Level Media

Iowa State Cyclones quarterback Rocco Becht (3) reacts after made a first down against UCF during the first quarter in the week-8 NCAA football at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Ames, Iowa.

Texas Tech tries to contain Rocco Becht, No. 11 Iowa State

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Texas Tech started its Big 12 Conference schedule strong, winning three straight, but now head to Ames, Iowa, on a two-game losing streak to face No. 11 Iowa State.

While Iowa State (7-0, 4-0 Big 12) was on a bye week, the Red Raiders (5-3, 3-2) lost a heartbreaker to TCU 35-34, giving up 14 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to fall to sixth in the conference.

In its past two losses, Texas Tech allowed 94 points to its opponent, forcing head coach Joey McGuire to challenge his defense.

“We’ve got to continue to play better on defense,” McGuire said. “I felt like we got out tackled in space the last two games with Baylor and TCU, those are things we’re going to challenge the guys at.”

A hurdle Texas Tech was able to jump was the loss of quarterback Behren Morton, who left at halftime after injuring his non-throwing left shoulder. True freshman Will Hammond stepped up to both throw and rush for a touchdown, throwing for 121 yards on 10-for-15 passing without an interception.

“I’ve just been so impressed with the young man who’s their quarterback he goes out,” Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell said. “And at halftime, the first drive I think he’s 9-for-9 right down the field for a touchdown. This young freshman comes in, I think it shows how well dedicated they are at teaching their system.”

McGuire didn’t rule Morton out of Saturday’s game, saying that anyone questionable on the injury report will be ready to play. Practice this week will determine if Morton starts over Hammond.

Iowa State has its own impressive quarterback in Rocco Becht, who led the Cyclones over UCF 38-35 on Oct. 19. With 30 seconds remaining, Becht scored on a 1-yard run to cap a 11-play, 80-yard drive where the sophomore quarterback either ran or passed on every play. The drive only lasted 78 seconds.

“He’s got a quarterback that’s playing at high level. They’ve got two NFL receivers. They’ve got three running backs that they rotate,” McGuire said about Iowa State’s offensive threats.

Adding to that group is the potential return of tight end Ben Brahmer, who left in the second quarter of the win over UCF. Brahmer averages 17.9 yards per catch and is important in Iowa State’s balanced rushing attack, providing blocking for the trio of Cyclones running backs.

Iowa State may get others back who were able to recover during the bye week, putting the team in the best spot it has been health-wise since September.

“A week off was such a pivotal time for our football team,” Campbell said. “We’ll probably be as close to as strong as we’ve been since probably the Arkansas State game (on Sept. 21).”

An Iowa State win would secure its best start to a season, eclipsing a 7-0 start in 1938. It also would keep Iowa State atop the Big 12 standings, tied with No. 9 BYU, which is idle this week.

–Field Level Media

Texas Tech's defensive back Dadrion Taylor-Demerson (1) holds up the Saddle Trophy after the team's win against TCU, Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023, at Jones AT&T Stadium.

Texas Tech, TCU clash to stay relevant in Big 12 race

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After its four-game winning streak was snapped last weekend, Texas Tech heads to TCU on Saturday to try to keep pace in the Big 12 race and win the Saddle Trophy for the second season in a row.

Texas Tech (5-2, 3-1 Big 12) suffered its first conference loss last Saturday in a 59-35 upset defeat to Baylor. In the loss, the Texas Tech defense was exposed as a unit that struggled to adjust.

“We’re bringing a blitz we don’t get, so we’re gap exchanging with the defensive tackle and the linebacker and defensive tackle doesn’t get there,” head coach Joey McGuire said. “It’s a broken record that you know whenever the ball bounces, we don’t have an edge player. We’re not gap sound and some of their plays in the second half, didn’t adjust well.”

Against Baylor, Texas Tech also gave up 144 yards after the catch, showing a side struggling to be in the right place and not making open-field tackles. Quarterback Spencer Robertson threw for a career-high five touchdowns.

TCU (4-3, 2-2) also has a quarterback that can hurt a defense in Josh Hoover. The Horned Frogs passer is fourth in the nation in passing yards (2,270) and was named to the Davey O’Brien midseason watch list for the nation’s best quarterback.

In a 13-7 victory over Utah on Saturday, Hoover threw for 263 yards and scored the only TCU touchdown on the ground with a 1-yard run. It was the third road win for TCU this season, a stark contrast to a 1-2 record at home.

“We know we haven’t played good at home,” cornerback LaMareon James said. “We owe it to the fans to play good.”

The Horned Frogs won four straight games against Texas Tech until last year’s 35-28 defeat in Lubbock, Texas. A win Saturday gets TCU closer to evening the rivalry’s record, with the Red Raiders holding a 33-30-3 advantage.

At stake is the Saddle Trophy, which dates to when TCU and Texas Tech both played in the Southwest Conference, which dissolved in 1996. The rivalry then was dubbed the West Texas Championship.

–Field Level Media