Texas Tech Prevents Upset in OT

Tech's defense stepped on the ensuing ACU possession. The Wildcats coughed up the football, and Red Raiders De'Bryalon Carrol dove on the loose football. Tech took over at ACU's 18-yard line. It only took two plays for the Red Raiders to find the end zone for the second time. Morton connected with Sophomore Coy Eakin on two passes in a row, the second for a 5-yard touchdown pass. After a successful 2-point try, the Red Raiders led 15-0 with 8:18 remaining in the 1st quarter.

Abilene Christian's offense finally found success on its third trip on the field. Starting at 20-yard line, the Wildcats, led by former San Angelo Central Bobcats and Texas Tech quarterback Maverick McIvor, marched 80 yards down the field in nine plays to get on the board. McIvor hit several open receivers on the drive, capped with a 31-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jed Castles. ACU battled back to trail by 8 points with 3:42 remaining in the 1st quarter.

The Red Raiders' offensive machine could not be stopped as they went on a march again. A healthy mix of run and wide receiver screens set Texas Tech up in the Wildcats' territory at the 35-yard line. Morton then found Eakin, who leaked out behind the secondary, all alone for a 35-yard touchdown. Texas Tech led with 1:34 remaining in the 1st quarter, 22-7.

2nd Quarter

ACU's McIvor continued to find success through the air entering the 2nd quarter. He drove the Wildcats down inside Texas Tech territory where Abilene Christian's running game became a factor. Isaiah Johnson had two excellent runs inside the 20-yard line to push the ball into the end zone. He capped off the drive with a 3-yard touchdown run to narrow Tech's advantage to 22-14.

However, the Red Raiders responded again. Kick Returner Drae McCray took the subsequent kickoff 74 yards inside ACU's 30-yard line. The Wildcats' defense did get their first stop of the day, forcing a four-play, 5-yard drive, but Tech still kicked a field goal to extend its lead back to 11.

Morton and tight end Jalin Conyers made a huge play on the Red Raiders' next offensive possession. Faced with a 4th and 12 at ACU's 36-yard line, Morton launched a deep pass to Conyers, who out-leaped his man to pull down the 36-yard score. The play was ruled a touchdown, but the officials had to review it. After the review, the play stood, and Texas Tech extended its lead to 32-14 with 2:55 remaining in the first half.

While Abilene Christian remained down, the Wildcats were not out of this game. McIvor showed why he was originally recruited by Texas Tech with a beautiful deep ball to 6'5" receiver Blayne Taylor. Taylor beat the Red Raiders secondary for a 71-yard touchdown. 

Texas Tech had one final opportunity to score before the half, but two bonehead false start penalties in the same series killed the drive. Both teams headed to the locker room with Texas Tech leading by 11, 32-21.

3rd Quarter

Texas Tech received the kickoff in the 2nd half and went back out on offense. Morton made several good throws to push the Red Raiders down the field, and Tahj Brook drove Tech inside ACU's 5-yard line. However, that's where the offense ran into trouble. An incomplete pass and two runs for virtually no gain left Texas Tech with a 4th and goal at the 1-yard line. Head Coach Joey McGuire went for it again, but this time, ACU's defense stepped up and stuffed Brooks in the backfield.

ACU followed the stop up with a 10-play, 96-yard touchdown drive to pull within four points. The pressure was on the Red Raiders with 5:10 to play.

KR Drae McCray answered that pressure with another monster kick return. He set the Red Raiders up at the ACU 35-yard line after running the ball out of Tech's end zone. Morton thanked McCray for the field position with a 35-yard touchdown pass to Josh Kelly.

Texas Tech led 39-28 with 4:44 left in the 3rd.

4th Quarter

Following the touchdown, both teams failed to convert on 4th down: first ACU and then Tech. Two defensive stands led to the Wildcats taking over at midfield entering the fourth quarter. McIvor then found a broken coverage deep in Tech's secondary and took advantage. He hit Nehemiah Martinez for the 30-yard score to put the Wildcats back within four points with 11:45 left to play.

The Red Raiders added a field goal before ACU finally completed the comeback. Down seven in the 4th quarter, McIvor orchestrated an 8-play, 75-yard drive to tie the game. On the touchdown, Isaiah Johnson took advantage of some horrendous tackling to break into the end zone. Tech had work to do with 4:55 remaining in the contest.

Tech's offense continued to answer with another scoring drive. However, the lack of touchdowns in the second half could be a problem, as penalties killed another drive. With a holding call and another false start, the fourth of the day turned a third and one into a third and 6. An incomplete pass led to another field goal, and Tech led 45-42 with 2:35 to play.

Texas Tech had to get a stop on defense. ACU drove the ball into Tech's half of the 50 before the Red Raiders locked down. Faced with a 4th and 4-yards to go, McIvor delivered again. Two plays later, a roughing the passer call pushed ACU to Tech's 13-yard line. The defense finally bowed up to force a 4th down with just seven seconds to go at the 4-yard line. ACU nailed the kick, and the game went to overtime, 45-45.

OT

Texas Tech began the overtime period with the ball on offense. They did what they needed to do and scored a touchdown. However, the defense had to get a stop on the other end. ACU drove the ball to the one and punched it in one play later. Instead of an extra point, ACU went for the win.

Watch the final play below:

McIvor took the snap but found no one open. The rush that had been so absent all game finally caused some pressure. ACU's quarterback couldn't get away and three Red Raiders swarmed him for the sack. Tech won on the final play of the game 52-51.

The Red Raiders hit the road next week when they travel to play Washington State. Kickoff for that contest is scheduled for Saturday, September 7, at 9 p.m.