Looking to build off a big win on the road against West Virginia, Texas welcomed Texas Tech to Austin. The Red Raiders were in search of their 6th win and bowl eligibility. The Longhorns never trailed in the game until the 1:47 mark in the 4th quarter, but 2 costly Sam Ehlinger interceptions helped Texas Tech pull out a 27-23 win.
The Longhorns opened the game with a trick play, with Lil’ Jordan Humphrey taking a reverse and throwing a 27 yard completion to Sam Ehlinger. A few plays later, Ehlinger found Armanti Foreman on a slant for 27 yard touchdown for the game’s first score. Ehlinger finished with 239 yards through the air.
The Red Raiders responded late in the first quarter when Carter McLane scored on a 1 yard run. After the two teams traded field goals, Kris Boyd intercepted McLane to give Texas good field possession. The Longhorns quickly capitalized and regained the lead on a Daniel Young 9 yard touchdown run. Young finished as the Longhorn’s leading rusher with 55 yards on 13 carries. McLane was intercepted again late in the second quarter by Devante Davis. Texas was able to march the ball inside the 5, but ultimately had to settle for a Josh Rowland field goal to give the Longhorns a 20-10 halftime lead.
Texas Tech opened the second half with the ball and quickly moved into Texas territory following an amazing catch by T.J Vasher, but the Longhorn defense held and the Red Raiders settled for a 34 yard field goal.
Later in the 3rd quarter, Reggie Hemphill Mapps muffed a punt to give Texas Tech great field position again. The offense was unable to take advantage though, and the drive ended in a missed field goal.
The Longhorns extended their lead to 23-13 with a Rowland 40 yard field goal at the beginning of the 4th quarter. Texas Tech then opted for a QB switch, and Nic Shimonek took over for McLane. Shimonek led the Red Raiders down the field and tossed a 13 yard touchdown pass to TJ Vasher.
Texas had the ball in Texas Tech territory late in the 4th quarter with the opportunity to run out the clock, but San Ehlinger threw his first interception of the game and it was returned inside the Texas 15. The Red Raiders scored 2 plays later on a 13 yard pass from Shimonek to Cameron Batson that was ultimately the game winner. Texas had one last chance to take the lead, but another Ehlinger interception ended any comeback hopes.
Texas will await the bowl selection in the coming weeks. The Longhorns officially finish the season 6-6 and will look to notch a 7th win in a bowl game which would give them a winning record for the first time since 2013.
