Texas Tech was able to do something on Saturday night that
it has not been able to accomplish in the Tommy Tuberville
era – beat Iowa State.
The Red Raiders (4-0, 1-0 in Big 12 Conference play) came
out stellar on defense, shaky on the offensive side of the ball but in the end
came out victorious, 24-13, against the Cyclones at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames,
Iowa.
Iowa State (3-1, 0-1) was able to strike first in the game
with one minute and 42 seconds left on the clock as A.J. Klein took one of the
two interceptions thrown by Tech quarterback Seth Doege
back 87 yards for a touchdown.
The Red Raider offense struggled to get going in the first
half as with just 1:32 left in the half Doege
connected with Jakeem Grant for an 11-yard touchdown
pass to tie the game up.
It continued the streak of Tech not trailing at the half in
any game this season.
Doege would play much better in
the second half finishing the game going 30-for-46 for 331 yards and three
touchdowns.
The senior gunslinger’s favorite target on the night became
Eric Ward, finishing with nine receptions and 122 yards and one touchdown.
It marks the second-straight game that Ward has led the team
in receiving.
On the ground, the Red Raiders running game had a little
more trouble as the combination of Eric Stephens, Kenny Williams and SaDale Foster combined for just 100 yards, with Williams
leading the way with 15 carries for 80 yards.
The Red Raiders defense was truly the story of the game,
entering the meeting as the No. 1 ranked defense in the country and proved it.
Tech held the Cyclones to just 189 total yards, 13 first
downs, forced four turnovers and also held Iowa State to just 5-of-14 on third
down conversions.
It marks the second game of the season where Tech has held
an opposing offense to just six points, and on the season the Red Raiders have
now outscored its opponents 175-43.
The next challenge for Tech is going to be No. 16 Oklahoma on
October 6 in Lubbock, which marks the start to five-straight games where the
Red Raiders will face current nationally ranked opponents.
The Oklahoma game is set for a 2:30 p.m. kickoff at Jones
AT&T Stadium and the game will be carried on either
ESPN, ESPN2 or ABC.