Texas Tech Downs No. 11 Iowa State in Thrilling Finish

Events took a turn for the worse, with just seconds remaining until halftime. Up until this point, Tech clung to a 10-6 lead, but a touchdown pass by Iowa State gave the Cyclones the lead heading into the break. Texas Tech could have folded right then and there. However, the Red Raiders resilence showed in the 2nd half as Texas Tech outscored Iowa State 13-9 in the final two quarters.

Texas Tech retook the lead in the 3rd quarter. In a drive that started at the Red Raiders' own 2-yard line, Morton led the Red Raiders on a 12-play, 98-yard drive for another touchdown. Tahj Brooks made his presence felt, punching through the defense exactly when Texas Tech needed a play. Morton connected with Kelly on a 19-yard touchdown pass for both player's second of the night to give Tech a 17-13 lead heading into the 4th quarter.

Iowa State proved why they were ranked throughout the second half. No matter what Texas Tech did, the Red Raiders could never truly pull away. In fact, the Cyclones took the lead with 2:11 to go in the 4th on a 40-yard pass from Rocco Becht to Carson Brown to take a 22-17 lead.

It all fell on Morton and the offense to get the job done. Tahj Brooks shouldered that responsibility well. He began the drive with a 16-yard run to set the Red Raiders up at the 40-yard line right at the two-minute mark. Morton then had to convert a 4th down, or Texas Tech would fall in defeat. He slung a quick pass to Kelly near midfield on the sidelines for a first down. Even after a review, the brilliant catch by Tech's most dangerous receiver could not be overturned. Brooks added another 14-yard run before Morton connected with Kelly and then Caleb Douglas to Iowa State's 14-yard line. Another pass to Jordan Brown saw the Red Raiders down inside Iowa State's 1-yard line. The pressure could be felt as the Red Raiders were called for a false start to finally set up a 1st and Goal to go at the Cyclones 5-yard line with just 26 seconds left in the game.

Then Brooks made the play of the game. Running the 1st down play out of the Wildcat, Jaylen Conyers called for the snap, but it was fake. The snap went directly to Brooks, who followed Conyers to the right side of the line. Conyers made the block of the game, sealing the right side of the edge and driving his opponent into the end zone. All Brooks had to do was sprint to keep up on his way to the game-winning touchdown. Texas Tech took a 23-22 lead with just 20 seconds remaining in the contest.

Through heavy rainfall, the Red Raiders' defense made one final stop, and Texas Tech took down No. 11 Iowa State on the road, 23-22.

Morton finished the evening with 237 yards passing on 21/40 passing with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Brooks moved to 2nd all-time in Texas Tech history, passing Jonathan Grey, with 122 yards on the ground and a touchdown.

The true heroes in this matchup were the Texas Tech defenders. After a below-average performance against TCU last week, this Red Raiders' defense looked like a new team on Saturday. Tech's defense forced two turnovers and stonewalled Iowa State on 4th down in critical situations that would have resulted in more points.

Texas Tech moved to 6-3 overall and 4-2 in the Big 12 with the win and is now Bowl Eligible come post-season play. The Red Raiders return to action against another ranked opponent at home next Saturday, November 9, when Deon Sanders and the No. 23 Colorado Buffaloes come to town. Kickoff in that matchup is still TBD.