Two teams with high-powered offenses and shaky defenses got together Saturday in Lubbock, Texas, and the back-and-forth result was predictable.
Texas Tech outlasted Cincinnati 44-41, with some fourth-quarter breathing room created by a defensive touchdown proving to be just enough.
After forcing the first Red Raiders punt of the game, the Bearcats took possession with 1:50 to go in the fourth quarter. Cincinnati drove to the Texas Tech 32-yard line, but Nathan Hawks was wide right on a 51-yard field goal as time expired.
The Red Raiders (4-1, 2-0 Big 12) scored on all but two offensive possessions and stole a touchdown on A.J. McCarty’s 51-yard pick-six for a 41-27 cushion with 12:40 to play.
The Bearcats (3-2, 1-1) answered quickly when Manny Covey, in the game after injuries to Cincinnati’s first two running backs, grabbed a screen pass and wiggled loose for a 71-yard touchdown.
Texas Tech pushed the lead to 44-34 on Gino Garcia’s 27-yard field goal at the 7:50 mark. But the Bearcats responded with a 10-play, 75-yard drive that Covey capped with a 3-yard touchdown catch from Brendan Sorsby with 3:24 on the clock.
Prior to the game-changing defensive score, the teams went back-and-forth in a game that was tied 24-24 at halftime.
The Red Raiders converted a Cincinnati fumble into a 31-24 before seizing its first two-score cushion on McCarty’s interception.
Texas Tech running back Tahj Brooks dissected the Bearcats’ defense for 172 yards on 32 carries and reached the end zone twice, part of a 482-total yard night for the Red Raiders. Quarterback Behren Morton completed 19 of 29 throws for 251 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Sorsby shined in defeat with 426 yards and four touchdowns on 31-of-45 passing. His interception to McCarty was his first this season.
Sorsby also led Cincinnati with 52 rushing yards to help the Bearcats rack up 555 yards.
–Field Level Media
