No matter how badly Red Raider nation wanted to spoil the party for Texas, it simply was not meant to be. Texas Tech had to play a perfect game against a team that had more talent than them. The first-half errors alone were too many for the Red Raiders to overcome in a game the required their cleanest execution. As a result, the Red Raiders fell to the Longhorns by the final score of 57-7.
Played From Behind From The Start
Head coach Joey McGuire had to get his team to find ways to steal possessions for his team to have a shot. Having a significant victory in the turnover margin was the key to springing a monumental upset. Early in the game, the defense was at least making life difficult when the field was condensed. The Longhorns had six possessions inside the Texas Tech 30-yard line in the first half and only scored one touchdown. The Red Raiders even forced an interception on one of those drives. The problem, like much of the night, was Texas Tech promptly turned the ball over on the ensuing possession. Aiding in the having the Red Raiders fall was the loss in the turnover margin by a score of 3-1.
Texas’ stout rushing defense made life difficult for Tahj Brooks all night. Brooks still made plenty of defenders miss but finished the game with 95 yards on 19 carries. The Texas Tech offensive line was pushed around by multiple future NFL defensive linemen all night. Quarterback Behren Morton very rarely had a clean pocket to operate in. He finished the game 19-for-36 passing for just 88 yards.
The Second Half Brought More of the Same
If there was any chance Texas Tech was going to come back in the game, they needed to start the second half strong. Instead, the opening kickoff out of halftime was run back 95 yards for a touchdown. It was the final nail in the coffin of the game at the 14:46 mark in the third quarter. Texas played like a team seeking vengeance, not just for last year’s overtime loss in Lubbock, but for the last 15 years of Longhorn football. Texas’ team speed seemed to overwhelm the Red Raiders in all facets of the game.
Tim DeRuyter’s defense never stood a chance to succeed in this one with the offense going three-and-out nearly 70% of the game. Even when the Red Raider defense was able to keep the Longhorn offense out of the endzone, Texas kept tacking on points. Texas kicker Bert Auburn was perfect 5-for-5 on field goals in the game. Longhorn head coach Steve Sarkisian saw his team dominate start-to-finish to secure a spot in the Big 12 championship game. Texas outgained the Texas Tech 528-198 in total offensive yards. The college football world also got to see Arch Manning come finish the game with two minutes remaining in the third quarter.
Red Raiders Fall Flat In Austin, Focus Shifts To Bowl Season
If there was one play, to sum up this game, it occurred in the third quarter. With 7:45 remaining in the quarter, Texas Tech called a fake punt looking for a spark down 36-7 at the time. It was a beautifully designed fake punt executed to perfection for a first down. Except for the small fact that not only was there an ineligible receiver downfield, but a holding penalty was called on Texas Tech as well. It is one thing to just get run over by a more talented team. But to assist in one’s own demise by playing sloppy football only exacerbates it. So while the Texas Tech coaching staff deserves its own bit of criticism, it would not have mattered tonight.
It was a sharp and painful thud to the end of the regular season for Texas Tech. This ending of a series that many people care about will be forgotten by most. The humiliating loss to their in-state rival is just another painful reminder of how this Texas Tech season has gone. But the Red Raiders did rally in the second half of the season to salvage a bowl game. Those additional weeks of practice will go a long way in the continued development of the program. A bowl victory would be a great way to go into the offseason with momentum into 2024.
