By Terrance Turner
Sept. 25, 2021
The University of Texas and Texas Tech University had an in-state showdown in Austin today. Texas Tech was undefeated at 3-0 heading into this match, but they soon found themselves overwhelmed by Texas’ juggernaut offense. The Texas Longhorns steamrolled the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the first half and continued to dominate in the second.
Texas quarterback Casey Thompson got the Texas offense rolling early on. Running back Bijan Robinson caught Thompson’s pass for a 38-yard catch-and-run. Kicker Cameron Dicker added a successful extra-point kick after the TD reception by Robinson. That gave the Longhorns a 7-0 lead with 11:07 to go in the first quarter.
The Longhorns scored again courtesy of a 3-yard rush from running back Roschon Johnson. It was 14-0 with 5:32 left in the 1st.
A minute into the second quarter, Texas Tech QB Tyler Shough ran 6 yards for the touchdown. But Thompson responded with a 1-yard rush TD of his own to make it 21-7 with 10:16 to go. Thirty seconds later, Shough was picked off by John Thompson, who took it all the way to the house for a touchdown. Thompson’s pick-six gave Texas a 28-7 lead. Shough was injured on the play and had to go to the locker room. Backup QB Henry Colombi took over.
Texas hit paydirt again when Thompson hurled a pass to receiver Xavier Worthy. Worthy’s 23-yard score padded the Longhorn lead. Texas led 35-7 with 5:05 left in the half.
The Red Raiders scored quickly when Colombi found receiver M. Price for a 40-yard touchdown. But the Longhorns answered right back. On 3rd and 6, Thompson’s pass — intended for another receiver — was instead caught by wide receiver Jordan Whittington. That took the Longhorns to first and goal. They took a timeout on 2nd and goal. With nine seconds to go in the half, Roschon Johnson ran 7 yards into the end zone, pinning the ball on the goal line as he was tackled. Texas led 42-14 at halftime.
It took roughly five minutes of play time for Texas to score again. A jet sweep to Whittington made it 49-14. But Texas Tech responded when Colombi threw a deep ball to receiver Loic Fouonji, who turned on the jets for a 69-yard score. But Texas would not be denied.
The Longhorns mounted another scoring drive, complete with 30+yard plays from Johnson and Whittington. In the red zone, Robinson threw his fourth touchdown of the day — a 3-yard pass to Xavier Worthy. It was 56-21.
The Red Raiders responded immediately. Colombi cashed in with another deep ball, hitting receiver Kaylon Geiger for a 75-yard score. But barely a minute later, Texas pulled a fast one. Thompson threw across the middle to Worthy, who broke tackles, outran defenders and powered down the field for a 62-yard catch-and-run.
Texas backup QB Hudson Card came in to relieve Thompson. Keilan Robinson took Texas to 70 points with a touchdown. (It’s the most points for Texas in a Big 12 game since 2005.) The Red Raiders defense was again unable to stop the onslaught from UT. But Texas Tech continued to perform offensively. They powered down the field, advancing to 1st and goal. Donovan Smith ran in for the touchdown. But UT’s high-powered offense was too much to overcome. The Longhorns won 70-35.
Save as PDF