Friday night at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas, the No. 13 Texas Tech Red Raiders secured a hard‑fought 28‑26 win over No. 22 Houston, keeping their perfect start to the season intact. The victory marked the eighth straight triumph for the Red Raiders in the series and the 12th win in the last 13 meetings between the two programs.
Key plays and standout performers
Quarterback Will Hammond orchestrated the offense with 257 passing yards and a touchdown pass. Running backs J’Koby Williams and Cameron Dickey each found the end zone, while backup quarterback Tommy Castellanos added a rushing score. Wide receiver Kenny Johnson was a deep‑ball threat, hauling in four receptions for 113 yards and a touchdown.
Houston’s offense, led by senior quarterback Conner Weigman, was no pushover. Weigman completed 27 of 38 attempts for 282 yards and three touchdowns. His targets included Patrick Overmyer, Amare Thomas and Koby Young, each of whom caught a touchdown pass. The Cougars opened the scoring with a 10‑point burst, but the Red Raiders responded with a balanced attack that kept the game within reach.
Clutch defensive stand seals the win
With 2:46 left, Houston drove 88 yards from its own 12‑yard line, culminating in a 10‑yard touchdown pass from Weigman to Overmyer with 49 seconds remaining, narrowing the gap to 28‑26. The Cougars then needed a two‑point conversion to tie the game. Weigman attempted a pass, but Texas Tech safety Austin Romaine broke on the ball, stopping the runner just short of the goal line. A replay review upheld the call, preserving the Red Raiders’ lead.
Implications for the Big 12 race
The win improves Texas Tech’s conference record to 3‑0, reinforcing its position as a contender in the Big 12. Coach Kane (name not provided in source) praised his team’s resilience, noting that “stopping that final conversion shows the heart of this group.” Houston, now 2‑1, will look to rebound in its next matchup, aware that a single misstep can swing a close game.
Statistical highlights
- Texas Tech: 28 points, 257 passing yards, 113 receiving yards by Kenny Johnson.
- Houston: 26 points, 282 passing yards, 49‑yard touchdown pass to Overmyer in final minute.
- Defensive play: Austin Romaine’s tackle prevented a game‑tying conversion.
- Series record: Texas Tech leads 12‑1 in the last 13 meetings.
The game underscored the importance of disciplined special teams and defensive awareness in close contests. Fans in Lubbock witnessed a classic showdown that highlighted the competitive spirit of Big 12 football and set the tone for the remainder of the season.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
