Big 12 Clash: Texas Tech Survives West Virginia Rally
No. 13 Texas Tech held off a late surge from West Virginia to win 53-48, keeping its conference title hopes alive with a final score of 53-48.
By Renata Mehta ·
Thomas Castellanos threw a career-high five touchdown passes to lead No. 13 Texas Tech past West Virginia, 53-48, in a game that ended in the early hours of Sunday morning. The Red Raiders overcame a seven-point fourth-quarter deficit after holding a 14-point lead at halftime. This victory keeps Texas Tech on track for a second consecutive Big 12 title and a College Football Playoff berth.
The two teams combined for 1,220 yards of offense, with 894 of those yards coming before halftime. The game featured 13 plays of at least 30 yards, creating a high-scoring environment typical of the conference. Despite the offensive volume, defensive stops in the fourth quarter proved decisive for Lubbock.
West Virginia forced Texas Tech to punt on its first four drives in the second half. This defensive shift erased a two-touchdown deficit and allowed the Mountaineers to take a 48-41 lead. The turnaround began with K.J. Henson recording a 15-yard sack of Castellanos on Texas Tech’s first play of the second half.
The decisive sequence began with seven minutes remaining. West Virginia quarterback Cam Cook was stuffed on third-and-1, forcing coach Rich Rodriguez to punt. The Red Raiders then marched 69 yards on nine plays. Castellanos kept the drive alive with a fourth-and-3 pass to Micah Hudson, who gained 26 yards. Kenny Johnson finished the drive with a five-yard catch to put Texas Tech ahead with 2:44 left on the clock.
West Virginia running back Michael Hawkins Jr. had three rushing touchdowns, extending his FBS-leading total to 19. This performance tied a West Virginia record set by Ira Errett Rodgers in 1919. Hawkins also passed for 303 yards on 11 completions. Redshirt freshman Taron Francis caught Hawkins’ first three passes of the season, totaling 169 yards, including a 73-yard touchdown and a 75-yard reception that set up another score.
Texas Tech linebacker J’Koby Williams added a 75-yard touchdown run and finished with 160 rushing yards. He also caught a 43-yard pass that set up a score. Castellanos, in his second start after replacing Will Hammond, completed 18 of 27 passes for 362 yards without an interception. He also rushed for 102 yards. Kenny Johnson and Terrance Carter Jr. each had two scoring catches for the Red Raiders.
Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire called the matchup an old-fashioned throwback Big 12 game. He noted he has not been part of such a contest in a long time. McGuire acknowledged the team did not play great on defense until the final plays but emphasized the need to adjust to win. West Virginia coach Rich Rodriguez described his defense in the first half as gross, noting Texas Tech was going against air.
The game ended on a safety in the final two minutes. Hawkins stumbled and fell in the end zone, giving the Red Raiders two points to seal the margin of victory. West Virginia, which has the second-worst defense in the FBS statistically, managed to stay in the game despite allowing a high-scoring first half. The Mountaineers now face Kansas at home on Saturday.
Texas Tech has the best run defense in the Big 12, a strength that helped them win the league and a playoff spot last season. However, they have allowed at least 255 rushing yards in two of their last three games. West Virginia piled up 279 yards on the ground in this matchup. The Red Raiders travel to Oklahoma State on Saturday to continue their season.
