West Virgina Holds Off Texas Tech
Morgantown, WV - The West Virginia Mountaineers (3-1) fought off the Texas Tech Red Raiders (1-3) and ended a four-game series skid Saturday evening 20-13.
Texas Tech grabbed the early lead setup by an interception by senior Malik Dunlap after undercutting the route of West Virgnia quarterback redshirt freshman Nicco Marchiol's pass over the middle intended for senior Devin Carter and setup the Red Raiders at the WVU 38-yard line.
The Mountaineer defense stopped the Red Raiders at the 21 and held Texas Tech to a 38-yard field goal for a 3-0 advantage.
West Virginia responded on the ensuing drive, pounding the Texas Tech defense with sophomore running back C.J. Donaldson for 36 yards and capped it off with a two-yard touchdown as the Mountaineers grabbed a 7-3 lead.
Texas Tech quarterback Tyler Shough left the game late in the first quarter with a lower leg injury after getting hit in the backfield during a pass attempt on third and seven.
West Virginia extended its lead with a field goal with 6:34 remaining in the half for a 10-3 lead after 12 plays for 56 yards with a steady dose of the rushing attack.
Michael Hayes connected for his second field goal of the half, connecting from 46 yards out and pushing the Mountaineers lead to 10.
The Mountaineer defense held Texas Tech to 56 yards of total offense in the first half and held a 13-3 lead at the break.
After a scoreless third quarter, Texas Tech got within t-hree after constructing 79-yard drive highlighted with a 27-yard rush from Tahj Brooks to set the Red Raiders up at the WVU six-yard line, the quarterback Behren Morton hit Jerand Bradley for the six-yard touchdown pass to get within three, 20-13.
The West Virginia offense answered on the following drive. Nicco scampered for a 17-yard run before hitting Preston Fox for 15-yards and capping off a 79-yard drive with a six-yard touchdown pass to tight end Kole Taylor for the 20-10 lead with just under eight minutes remaining in the game.
Texas Tech responded with a field goal on its next drive from 34 yards out and trailed 20-13 with 4:45 remaining in the game.
West Virginia failed to convert a first down its next possession and Texas Tech took over at its own 28-yard line with 4:38 left in the game.
The Red Raiders chipped away at the Mountaineer defense until a 26-yard pass to Jordan Brown put the Red Raiders a the 23-yard line. The Red Raiders converted on a fourth and two at the 15 to place the ball just outside the 10-yard line.
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