Photo: John E. Moore III / Getty Images Sport / Getty Images
Texas Tech Red Raiders delivered a commanding performance on Saturday (October 25), shutting out the Oklahoma State Cowboys 42-0 in Lubbock, Texas. The game began with a bang as J'Koby Williams returned the opening kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown. Williams continued his impressive play by catching a short pass and turning it into a 26-yard score on Texas Tech's first offensive play.
The Red Raiders, ranked No. 14, improved to 7-1 overall and 4-1 in the Big 12 Conference. They bounced back from a narrow loss to Arizona State the previous week. Jacob Rodriguez added to the scoreboard with a 69-yard fumble return for a touchdown, marking Texas Tech's first home Big 12 shutout since 2005.
Texas Tech's defense and special teams played a crucial role in the victory. They blocked a punt on Oklahoma State's first possession, setting up Williams' second touchdown. Despite injuries to their starting quarterback, Behren Morton, and backup Will Hammond, third-stringer Mitch Griffis stepped in and contributed with a touchdown pass and a rushing score.
Oklahoma State struggled offensively, managing only 182 yards. This defeat marks their seventh consecutive loss since their opening win against Tennessee-Martin. Interim coach Doug Meacham expressed pride in his team's perseverance despite the challenging season. The Cowboys have faced three shutout losses of at least 42 points since 2022.
Next, Oklahoma State will face Kansas, while Texas Tech is set to play against Kansas State.