Texas Tech recovered from a late deficit to defeat West Virginia 53-48 in Lubbock on Saturday night.
The Red Raiders secured the victory by recovering an onside kick in the final minutes of the game, according to WV MetroNews.
The loss drops the Mountaineers to a 5-4 overall record and 2-4 in Big 12 conference play. Texas Tech moves to 8-1 overall and 5-1 in the league following the win at Galaxy Stadium.
FOR THE RECORD AND THE LEAD! 💥 📺 ESPN https://t.co/JwoZCc5ajO pic.twitter.com/Jqw6Zyl4PM
A battle of mobile quarterbacks
The contest featured a high-scoring duel between two quarterbacks who rely heavily on their mobility. Texas Tech quarterback Thomas Castellanos, making his first start for the Red Raiders, led his team to the win. Castellanos had previously transitioned to the Red Raiders following a loss at Cincinnati on October 24.
West Virginia responded with a historic performance from Michael Hawkins Jr. During the third quarter, Hawkins scored his 19th rushing touchdown of the season on a 3-yard run. This achievement set a new single-season program record for the Mountaineers.
Make that 4 passing TDs for Castellanos in the first half 🎯 📺: ESPN pic.twitter.com/2D57leEbhF
The statistical output from the two signal-callers remained remarkably balanced throughout the night. While the final score favored Texas Tech, the efficiency of the passing attacks was nearly identical at the midpoint of the game.
| Player | Completions | Passing Yards | Average per Attempt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michael Hawkins Jr. (WVU) | 5 | 183 | 22.8 |
| Thomas Castellanos (TTU) | 10 | 287 | 22.0 |
Momentum shifts in the fourth quarter
West Virginia appeared to seize control during the second half. After a defensive stretch that included sacks by KJ Henson and Jason Hall, the Mountaineers took their first lead since the second quarter. This lead came via a 3-yard touchdown run by Hawkins at the 1:12 mark of the third quarter, putting West Virginia up 48-41.
Castellanos with the flip 🤌 His third TD pass of the first half 📺: ESPN pic.twitter.com/uSUV7gghf0
The Red Raiders’ offense found its rhythm in the final period. Castellanos connected with Kenny Johnson for a 5-yard touchdown pass to regain a 51-48 lead with 2:44 remaining. A subsequent 26-yard connection from Castellanos to Hudson helped keep the drive alive during a critical fourth-and-3 situation.
The game’s decisive moment arrived when the Red Raiders recovered an onside kick. This allowed Texas Tech to extend their lead and ultimately secure the win. Earlier in the fourth quarter, West Virginia had an opportunity to extend their lead, but Hawkins was sacked by Trey White on a fourth-and-10 attempt with 1:55 left on the clock.
Defensive struggles define the scoring
Both defenses struggled to contain the explosive plays generated by the opposing offenses. Texas Tech’s defense allowed significant yardage, while the Mountaineers’ secondary faced challenges against the Red Raiders’ passing attack. The scoring was frequent, with nine drives between the teams resulting in seven touchdowns.
Individual explosive plays dictated the tempo of the game. For example, Taron Francis caught a 73-yard touchdown pass from Hawkins to briefly give West Virginia a 24-21 lead. Conversely, J’Koby Williams provided a spark for Texas Tech with a 75-yard touchdown run early in the first quarter.
Hello, Taron 👋 📺 ESPN https://t.co/SEwz3XWto8 pic.twitter.com/i5E81kQn1k
The Mountaineers’ inability to stop the run and the long pass proved costly. Texas Tech averaged 12.7 yards per play in the first half, compared to 9.3 yards per play for West Virginia. The Red Raiders also utilized the deep ball effectively, with Castellanos recording four passing touchdowns in the first half alone.
Texas Tech holds an 8-7 all-time record against West Virginia and has won six of their last seven meetings. The Red Raiders also maintain a 4-3 record against the Mountaineers when playing in Lubbock.
TC to TC² 📺: ESPN pic.twitter.com/YgJDKJTmQp
More on Texas Tech
Hawkins Jr. calls his own number ☝️ Thriller first quarter in Lubbock!! 📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/T2JQCPj70E
Shot out of a cannon ✌️ 📺: ESPN pic.twitter.com/N2TkfZM48J
No time wasted 😤 Amari Latimer gets the Mountaineers in the end zone! 📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/BlgFIGKzxU
TC was off to the races 💨 📺: ESPN pic.twitter.com/odtVMm3U7h
A battle of endurance 💪 #15 Texas Tech outlasts West Virginia 😤 West Virginia vs. #15 Texas Tech Highlights⏩@TexasTechFB pic.twitter.com/SnfwAPd5T8
Texas Tech WINS! The Red Raiders claim a 53-48 win over West Virginia in a Big 12 After Dark instant classic, moving to 8-1 (5-1) on the season. Here are @JarrettDRamirez's Final Whistle Feelings ⬇️ READ: https://t.co/OU6bOEU78c pic.twitter.com/3AYHZRZhEZ
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