Jett Duffey Lights Up Oklahoma State in Texas Tech’s 45-35 Win
Alan Who? At least for one day, that’s what Texas Tech fans are saying to themselves after the Red Raiders beat the Oklahoma State Cowboys 45-35 in Lubbock on Saturday afternoon.
The Red Raiders got out to a 20-0 lead early in the second quarter as Duffey had it going with his legs and his arm. After a field goal, two drives later Texas Tech capped off a six-play, 83-yard drive with a Duffey 16-yard touchdown run. Early in the second quarter, after Douglas Coleman intercepted Spencer Sanders, it was Duffey connecting with KeSean Carter for 14 yards and a touchdown.
The first half ended with Tech leading 20-7 as Spencer Sanders showed his freshman stripes on Saturday. He was sacked three times and threw one interception in the first half. The Cowboys’ only touchdown came on a five-play drive that included five runs by Chuba Hubbard.
Jett Duffey picked up right where he left off in the second half as Texas Tech scored on its first drive with Duffey finding T.J. Vasher for a 21-yard pitch and catch as the route was on for the Red Raiders, leading 27-7. Oklahoma State did score 14-unanswered points, but the Texas Tech offense just proved too much for a Cowboys defense that was off all afternoon. The nail in the coffin came early in the fourth quarter when Tech went 94 yards in six plays, capped off by Duffey finding Erik Ezukanma, who took it 56 yards for a touchdown as Tech went up 45-21.
Duffey finished 26/44 for 424 passing yards, with four touchdowns to zero interceptions. On the ground, he added five rushes for 16 yards and a score. Vasher led the Red Raiders with 110 receiving yards on five catches with a touchdown.
By Chuba Hubbard standards, he had a bit of a down game, rushing for only 156 yards on 34 carries, averaging 4.6 yards per carry, but still adding three touchdowns. Hubbard was the focus of the offense (even more than has been the case this season) as Sanders was struggling all day and didn’t get comfortable until the game was out of reach.
Sanders’ day wrapped up 22/37 for 290 yards, two passing touchdowns and three interceptions, while adding 46 rushing yards.
Oklahoma State falls to 4-2 overall and 1-2 in Big 12 play, while Texas Tech improves to 3-2 overall and 1-1 in conference play, giving Matt Wells his first Big 12 win.
Texas Tech hits the road to take on Baylor next week for a 3:00 p.m. CST kick off, while Oklahoma State has a bye week to think this one over and then hosts Baylor on October 19th.
**We now have FREE Big 12 Forums here at Heartland College Sports. Go sign up here and join our conversation! **
