Longhorns win Big 12 opener with 70-35 thrashing of Texas Tech

AUSTIN, TX — The Texas Longhorns (3-1, 1-0) scored 42 points in the first half and rode a six touchdown performance from quarterback Casey Thompson to win their conference opener over the Texas Tech Red Raiders (3-1, 0-1) 70-35.  Texas scored a touchdown on each of their five offensive possessions in the first half and managed a defensive touchdown, courtesy of cornerback Josh Thompson’s pick-six on Tech quarterback Tyler Shough.

The scoring continued into the second half of play and so did the balanced offensive attack for the Longhorns. Steve Sarkisian’s team amassed 639 yards of total offense, and the rushing game led by sophomore Bijan Robinson had another successful campaign.  Robinson finished with 18 carries for 137 yards and one receiving touchdown. Roschon Johnson added two touchdowns and 64 yards on 13 carries and Keilan Robinson entered the game late but rushed for a touchdown and averaged 10.5 yards on 4 carries.

Casey Thompson finished 18-23 for 303 yards and five touchdowns with one interception.  He added one touchdown on the ground and rushed 7 times for 29 yards.

True freshman wide receiver Xavier Worthy led Texas in receiving yards with 100 and caught three touchdown passes.

Texas Tech backup quarterback Henri Colombi threw for 324 yards and three touchdowns with one interception.

The win by Texas serves as the fourth straight over Texas Tech and is Steve Sarkisian’s first Big 12 victory as head coach at Texas.

GAME RECAP

Bijan Robinson started the offensive barrage with the first touchdown of the game, a 38-yard touchdown pass from Thompson.  After forcing the Red Raiders to three and out on their first possession, Roschon Johnson’s 3-yard touchdown run extended the Texas lead to 14-0.  Tech answered on the Red Raiders’ next drive, on Tyler Shough’s 6-yard touchdown run.