As if the altitude wasn’t enough weather to deal with, Larmie threw in some lighting to push back the opening to the Texas Tech season back another 90 minutes. But it didn’t seem like it was going to impact the Red Raiders. This was two different games with each team winning one of them. So when the game was pushed to a “third” game into overtime, the team that won three overtime games a year ago was back in a comfort zone. Except, on this night, it was yet another night for Power Five team to get snake bit in Wyoming. The Pokes spring the Texas Tech upset in double overtime by a score of 35-33.
First Quarter Crisper Than Mountain Air
It would be hard to dream up a better start to the game than what Texas Tech had in the first 15 minutes of football. Wyoming’s first four offensive drives were punt, fumble, punt, fumble. Meanwhile, Texas Tech’s first four offensive drives were touchdown, touchdown, punt, and field goal. The Red Raider offense was in sync and moving the ball effortlessly. Quarterback Tyler Shough was in full command of the offense. He was five-for-eight through the air with two touchdown passes. On the other side of the ball, Tim DeRuter’s defensive unit was flying around the field. This game had a route written all over it. Texas Tech knew coming into this game that they needed to take Wyoming seriously. A fast start was a requirement for a victory in Laramie on Saturday night. But then the game shifted quicker than the rocky mountain winds.
Wyoming Scored The Next 20 Points
Over the next 44 minutes of football, Texas Tech scored zero points. All of a sudden, the offense looked disjointed. The rhythm that they played with vanished into the thin air. Shough, who has dealt with a new offensive coordinator every year until this season, looked like he was playing his first game in Zach Kittley’s system. Wyoming, who was using their fifth-string running back, now found running lanes to operate in. Those defenders that were flying around the field for the Red Raiders seemed to be just a half step slower to the ball. The kicking game also struggled mightily. Texas Tech had a moment where they got into field goal range right before halftime.
Shough completed a pass to Drae McCray that got the ball to the Wyoming 31-yard line. Texas Tech did not have any timeouts and the clock only showed one second initially. Because there has to be two seconds in order to spike the ball, Texas Tech ran to the line ready to run one more play. But the clock operator did not stop the clock. The officials had to stop the game to reset the clock. Texas Tech ran the field goal team out for a fire drill attempt and made the kick. Except the umpire did not ready the ball for play.
So Texas Tech tried the field goal again and missed it. Late in the third quarter, the Red Raiders were finally putting a solid drive together. Shough found Jerand Bradley on the Wyoming three-yard line which would have resulted in a first down, but the pass was dropped. The ensuing field goal attempt was blocked. A third field goal attempt from 50 yards out with 5:06 left in the game clanged off the left upright.
Wyoming Deserved This Victory
The Cowboys could have folded like a lawn chair after that first quarter. But, instead, it was their “Brand” that won out on a late Saturday night. Wyoming’s talented defensive line caused problems all game. Texas Tech could not run the ball at all. The team leader in rushing tonight was Tahj Brooks with 11 carries for 39 yards. Shough’s final passing numbers will look above average. He did finish 31-for-47 for 338 passing yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. The interception was the only turnover Wyoming forced. They simply suffocated the Red Raiders offense most of the night.
Combined with some timely passes from Wyoming quarterback Andrew Peasley, it was a perfect recipe to cook up a Texas Tech upset. The big question heading into this season for Texas Tech was were going to be able to handle the expectations. No, this game won’t impact the Big 12 race. But there now is a major crack in the foundation that needs immediate repair. They won’t have long with a top-25 storm coming to Lubbock next week.
Now What After A Deflating Texas Tech Upset
Head Coach Joey McGuire tried to stress leading into the Wyoming game that they could not worry about the opponent in week two. The Pokes dragged the Red Raiders into a street brawl that Texas Tech wasn’t ready to handle. With this game now officially in the book, Texas Tech shifts its attention to the Oregon Ducks. One of the Pac 12 favorites stomped their week one opponent Portland State by the score of 81-7. If Texas Tech wants to spring the upset, they will have to be a more disciplined team in all three phases of the game.
Photo courtesy: Troy Babbitt-USA TODAY Sports
