Penalties, Turnovers Doom Texas Tech in Close Game with Colorado

Tech's defense, building off the momentum against Iowa State last week, picked up where they left off to force two straight three-and-outs from Shadeur Sanders and the Buffaloes' offense. The Red Raiders continued to capitalize on offense. Gino Garcia added a 53 and a 39-yard field goal to put Texas Tech up 13-0 with 2:28 remaining in the 1st quarter.

2nd Quarter

Neither team gained much ground on the following three possessions. Tech's defense continued to stand strong while the offense went three-and-out. The highlight early in the 2nd quarter was another sack from the Red Raiders' defensive leader, Jacob Rodriguez. He wrangled Sanders down in the backfield to set up a 3rd and long that ultimately led to a punt.

Colorado finally figured some things out on offense with just under 10 minutes to play before the half. The Buffaloes hit several decent chunks to move the football just outside Texas Tech's 20-yard line. LaJohntay Wester snagged a wide receiver screen from behind the line and showed pure speed on his way to a 23-yard touchdown. Colorado pulled within six points midway through the 2nd quarter.

The Red Raiders' defense had to make another stand just before the half. Colorado drove 74 yards in 12 plays to threaten Texas Tech's lead. However, great pressure from the defensive line and linebackers forced inaccurate throws by Sanders. Colorado settled for a field goal to trail by three points with 30 seconds remaining in the half.

Texas Tech had one final opportunity to score in the last 30 seconds. Another electric return from J'Koby Williams set the Red Raiders up at Colorado's 40-yard line. Unfortunately for Texas Tech, Gino Garcia missed his second attempt from 53 yards out, and Texas Tech headed to the locker room with a 3-point lead, 13-10.

3rd Quarter

Colorado received the 2nd half kickoff and immediately picked up where they left off in the 2nd quarter. Tough runs and open receivers pushed the Buffs across midfield. However, the Red Raiders stepped up right at Tech's 36-yard line to force a 4th down. The receiver was covered, Sanders made a bad throw, and the pressure took him to the ground as soon as he let go of the ball. Unfortunately, the referees made a highly questionable roughing the passer call that extended the drive. Sanders would score later on a designed quarterback run, and the Buffs took their first lead of the ball game with 11 minutes remaining in the 3rd quarter.

Texas Tech responded quickly. The passing game continued to be the most effective attack against the Buffs as Morton hit Kelly for another big gain over the middle to set up the Red Raiders in Colorado territory. Tech faced a 4th down and inches just outside the goal line later in the drive. Tahj Brooks delivered a touchdown run when Tech needed it to give the Red Raiders back the lead, 20-17.

The 3rd quarter shootout continued on Colorado's ensuing drive. Helped immensely by time referee penalties, Colorado chewed up yardage and approached the goal line. On 1st and goal, Sanders found Will Sheppard in the back of the end zone for a touchdown. Colorado took the lead, 24-20 with less than five minutes to play in the 3rd quarter.

Tech failed to convert on 4th down on the following drive. Colorado took over at Tech's 31-yard line. This quickly led to another Buffs touchdown. Heisman trophy hopeful Travis Hunter finally involved himself in the ballgame on a 24-yard touchdown pass to put Colorado up 11 points with less than two minutes to play in the 3rd quarter.

4th Quarter

Another failed 4th down conversion set Colorado up at midfield. Texas Tech's defense held tough to force a punt, but a quick interception from Morton gave the ball right back to the Buffs offense. Tech's defense held Colorado to a field goal, but the Red Raiders found themselves down 14 points with less than 10 minutes to play.

Another untimely Morton turnover gave the ball back to the Buffs again. Morton was hit in the back while dropping back to pass. He never saw the rush coming and coughed up the football. Luckily, the Red Raiders' defense forced another stop to keep Tech in it with less than 8 minutes to play.

Texas Tech marched down the field with time winding down, and looked like they were going to score. Colorado stepped up around the goal line to stonewall Caleb Douglas at the 1-yard line after he made a grab at the 5-yard line. On 4th down, a completely missed facemask on Tahj Brooks saw the Red Raiders' runningback short of the end zone on 4th down. The ball went back to Colorado at the Buffs' 3-yard line.

Texas Tech would score another touchdown to get within seven points to make it a game. Jaylen Conyers scored his second touchdown of the evening on a 21-yard pass from Morton to pull Texas Tech within 7, 31-24, with just over two minutes to play. Tech's defense then forced the stop the Red Raiders needed to give the offense the football back with less than 1:30 to play. 

On the game-tying drive, Morton dropped back into his own endzone, hit while he attempted to throw the football, and watched as Colorado picked up the "ruled" fumble for a touchdown. Everyone just stood around expecting a review, but it never came. Colorado took advantage of another turnover to put the game out of reach.

Colorado claimed victory in the end 41-27.