It was a tale of two halves on Saturday night in Lubbock, Texas as Kansas State and Texas Tech combined for nine points in the first half and a 48 point shootout in the second. The Wildcats managed to hang on for a 30-27 win.
There was little to talk about in the opening half in the game. Both teams were forced to punt in the first four drives.
The K-State defense forced a turnover with an interception by senior linebacker Da’Quan Patton, but the Wildcats settled for a 32-yard field goal by junior kicker Blake Lynch to take a 3-0 lead midway through the first quarter — those were the only points for the entire quarter.
Texas Tech drove down the field on a nine-play, 51-yard drive and kicked a 44-yard field goal from freshman Trey Wolff to tie the game. K-State responded with another 32-yard kick from Lynch to take a 6-3 lead in the second quarter.
K-State missed a 45-yard kick at the end of the half, entering the locker rooms with a 6-3 lead. The Wildcats finished the half with 162 total yards, but struggled to establish the running game in the first half with only 36 yards.
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It was a shoot-out in the second half, and the second field goal K-State made in the half proved to make a difference in the game.
K-State opened up the first drive of the second half with a 10-play drive capped off with a 14-yard touchdown catch by freshman wide receiver Phillip Brooks to extend the lead over Texas Tech 13-3.
The Red Raiders responded with a five-yard touchdown run from sophomore running back SaRodorick Thompson to cut the K-State lead to 13-10 midway through the third quarter.
On the ensuing kickoff, freshman wide receiver Joshua Youngblood ran back a 100-yard kick return to take a 20-10 lead. The return was the second return by Youngblood this season.
Texas Tech scored again quickly to reduce the lead to three with a 21-yard touchdown catch by freshman wide receiver Erik Ezukanma.
K-State had to settle for a 43-yard field goal from Lynch to take a 23-17 lead heading into the fourth.
The Red Raiders opened the fourth quarter with a 27-yard field goal to pull within three early in the quarter.
K-State started to break away with a 48-yard touchdown catch by sophomore wide receiver Chabastin Taylor to take a 30-20 lead with nine minutes remaining in the game.
The Wildcats had held the Red Raiders to a fourth and six, but faked a punt to continue the drive. Senior defensive back Denzel Goolsby intercepted junior quarterback Jett Duffey on the next play.
Skylar Thompson threw an interception the following drive to give the Red Raiders the ball with five minutes remaining down 10.
Texas Tech turned the turnover into points with a 58-yard touchdown pass on fourth and eight to senior wide receiver RJ Turner to pull back within three at 30-27. The Wildcats were able to run out the clock on the following drive to defeat Texas Tech.
K-State finished with 372 yards backed by Skylar Thompson, who threw for 246 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. The Wildcats rushed for 126 yards, led by senior running back James Gilbert, who finished the night with 61 rushing yards.
The Wildcat defense gave up 512 total yards, but limited the Red Raiders to 27 points and forced two turnovers in the win.
K-State will finish the regular season against Iowa State on senior day at Bill Snyder Family Stadium at 6 p.m. Saturday. This game will air on Fox Sports 1.
