No. 13 Texas Tech snapped an eight-game losing streak to Kansas State with a 43-20 win over the host Wildcats Saturday in a Big 12 game.
The Red Raiders (8-1, 5-1 Big 12) had not won at Kansas State since 2008.
J’Koby Williams helped the Red Raiders hold off the Wildcats (4-5, 3-3) in the second half. The sophomore running back finished with 135 yards on 17 carries and a touchdown.
Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez forced two key fumbles that led to scores. The senior leads the nation with seven forced fumbles and has 13 for his career.
The Red Raiders forced five turnovers — two interceptions and three fumbles.
Texas Tech quarterback Behren Morton, playing for the first time since Oct. 11 because of a lower body injury, completed 21 of 32 passes for 249 yards and two touchdowns.
Avery Johnson led the Wildcats, completing 16 of 33 passes for 199 yards and a touchdown. He also ran 15 times for 88 yards and two touchdowns.
Texas Tech dominated time of possession in the first half, controlling the ball for 19:54. The Red Raiders outgained the Wildcats 187-105.
However, until the final minutes, the Wildcats were able to keep the high-scoring Red Raiders offense under control.
The Red Raiders were scoreless until 6:31 when Stone Harrington kicked a 29-yard field to cut Kansas State’s lead to 7-3.
The rest of the half went Texas Tech’s way.
On the second play after the field goal, Jayce Brown ran into traffic on a pass and fumbled at the Kansas State 19. Rodriguez forced the fumble for Texas Tech.
Five plays later, Cameron Dickey took it over from one yard out. The extra point was missed, leaving Texas Tech with a 9-7 lead with 3:45 left in the half.
Kansas State went 3-and-out and Texas Tech took over with 1:52 and all of its time outs.
Seven plays later, Harrington nailed a 55-yard field goal as time expired to give the Red Raiders a 12-7 at half.
The Red Raiders shut down the Wildcats passing attack as Johnson was only able to complete three of nine passes for 31 yards in the first 30 minutes.
Johnson, however, did give the Wildcats the lead early when took a read-option around right end for a 46-yard touchdown run with 7:39 left in the first quarter.
The junior had five rushing touchdowns in a win over Texas Tech two seasons ago.
–Field Level Media
