Friday night at Texas Tech’s home field in Lubbock, the Red Raiders demonstrated resilience and poise, edging out the visiting Houston Cougars 28‑26 in a dramatic Big 12 opener. The victory kept Texas Tech unbeaten in conference play and extended its impressive run of home wins.
Key moments
Houston quarterback Conner Weigman threw a 10‑yard touchdown pass to Patrick Overmyer with 49 seconds left, bringing the Cougars within two points. On the ensuing two‑point conversion attempt, Weigman scrambled left and lunged for the end zone, but his knee touched the ground before the ball crossed the plane, ending the comeback.
Texas Tech’s offense, led by senior quarterback Will Hammond, responded with composure. Hammond completed 17 of 27 passes for 257 yards and a touchdown, guiding the Red Raiders to a 28‑26 lead that held despite Houston’s late surge.
Second‑half surge
Early in the second half, running back Koby Williams broke free for a 19‑yard run, followed by a 5‑yard gain and a decisive 29‑yard sprint that resulted in a touchdown, putting Tech ahead 21‑17. Later, Cameron Dickey added a one‑yard scoring run with just over seven minutes remaining, extending the lead.
Houston briefly reclaimed the advantage, scoring on a 46‑yard touchdown catch by Koby Young just before halftime, making it 17‑14. However, the Red Raiders answered with a 28‑yard pass to Kenny Johnson and a subsequent 35‑yard touchdown, re‑establishing a two‑score margin.
Defensive highlights and special teams
Both teams displayed aggressive defensive play. Houston amassed 104 rushing yards by halftime and finished with 176 on the ground, challenging a Texas Tech defense that had not allowed 100 rushing yards in a game for seven straight contests—a record streak in the FBS.
Special teams also featured prominently. Texas Tech’s kicker Jonathan Dimas converted a 31‑yard field goal on the opening drive, while a crucial interception by Will James set up an early touchdown for the Red Raiders.
Looking ahead
With the win, Texas Tech not only preserved its home‑court dominance—now ten straight victories—but also demonstrated its ability to win close contests against top‑ranked opponents. The Red Raiders will host Sam Houston next week, while Houston travels to face Georgia Southern on September 26.
Both programs remain poised for strong seasons, and the Big 12 landscape promises further excitement as conference play intensifies.
Original reporting: KSAT Sports (San Antonio) — read the source article.
