Another Undefeated Falls: Oklahoma Tops Texas Tech

Texas Tech came into the game against Oklahoma 7-0, looking to keep pace with Baylor, the only other undefeated team remaining in the Big 12. Obviously it wasn’t meant to be, as the Sooners beat the Red Raiders 38-30.

Texas Tech struck first with a Kenny Williams touchdown pass to Eric Ward in the final few minutes of the first quarter. But Oklahoma’s Blake Bell hit Jalen Saunders twice in the second—the second was a 76-yard TD pass—and went into the half up 14-7.

They took the lead with 3:55 remaining in the second quarter and wouldn’t cede it again, forcing the visiting Red Raiders to play from behind the rest of the game.

The difference makers for Oklahoma were their rushing attack and ability to hang onto the ball—they won the turnover battle 3-1. The Sooners had six different players combine for 277 yards on the ground, averaging 5.5 yards per carry.

Senior Damien Williams led the way with 97 yards on 19 carries, averaging 5.1 yards per carry and two touchdowns. Roy Finch, also a senior, was particularly efficient, gaining nearly 7 yards on each of his eight carries. They out-gained their opposition by over 200 yards rushing.

On the stat sheet it was Texas Tech who dominated in the air, but it was clear they were asking freshman quarterback Davis Webb to do too much. He went 33-of-53 for 385 total yards, with two touchdowns and two interceptions. He averaged just 7.3 yards per completion.

Compare Webb’s numbers to those of Oklahoma’s Blake Bell, who did much more with far less opportunities. Bell was 14-of-22 on the day, with 249 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. He averaged a first down and more with 11.3 yards per completion.

Next up for Texas Tech is Oklahoma State at home. Oklahoma has a much tougher test on the road against Baylor.