Here are five takeaways from Texas Tech’s 51-48 walkoff overtime victory against Oklahoma:
Opening minute madness
Texas Tech received this game’s opening kickoff, and they did so with a bang. Jordan Brown ran the kickoff back 67 yards, the longest kickoff return by the Red Raiders since 2017. But on Texas Tech very first play from scrimmage, the offense fumbled a trick play and turned the ball over. Oklahoma took that drive all the way back for a touchdown, putting the Red Raiders in a sudden 7-0 deficit. It was a nightmare start for the Red Raiders, and one that would continue on the drives to follow.
Rally caps
After Texas Tech’s dreadful start to this game, the Sooners seemed to be well on their way to putting this game away in the second quarter. Gabriel’s pass to Mims put the Sooners on top 24-6 with 6:25 remaining before halftime. With Oklahoma set to receive the ball to start the second half, it looked grim for Texas Tech. However, the Red Raiders went on a massive rally to get back in the fight. After an interception and forced three and out, the Texas Tech defense put their offense in a position to respond. The Red Raiders scored 17 unanswered points, and cut the lead to 24-23 at halftime.
Strong second start
With all the momentum on Texas Tech’s side, the Red Raiders made a statement to start the second half. Oklahoma had a promising drive to start the third quarter, but Texas Tech’s defensive pressure forced a turnover on downs. The offense responded with a 5 play, 52 yard touchdown drive that gave the Red Raiders their first lead of the game at 30-24. Texas Tech needed a strong second start to keep the ball rolling, and they couldn’t have scripted it better than it went.
Loyalty paying off
Donovan Smith is Texas Tech through and through. Even after not being named the starting quarterback, Smith stuck around on the sidelines this season. In games where he hasn’t started at quarterback, he’s been used in primarily redzone packages. His role has evolved from a running quarterback to a lead blocker, running back and receiver. In this game, his quarterback packages worked to perfection. Smith caught his first career touchdown in this game after running a route. When he wasn’t scoring, he was impacting the play as a decoy and with his blocking ability. Smith’s role isn’t one many quarterbacks would be willing to fill, but he’s done it to perfection.
History in flashy fashion
Texas Tech had never defeated Texas and Oklahoma in the same season. Until now. There was no more fitting way for the game against the Sooners than in overtime. The Red Raiders knocked off the Longhorns in overtime in Lubbock earlier in the season. Once again, the Red Raiders knocked off the Sooners in overtime in Lubbock tonight. It’s a fitting way for the program to snap a decades long drought. Texas Tech football’s program has shown that they can hang at the top of the Big 12. It’s not always pretty, but this is a team that will continue to get it done under Joey McGuire.
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