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Texas Tech outlasts Cincinnati in a 44-41 shootout

Texas Tech outlasts Cincinnati in a 44-41 shootout

Vaseline 1 month ago

NCAA Football: Cincinnati at Texas TechSeptember 28, 2024; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders running back Tahj Brooks (28) hurdles Cincinnati Bearcats defensive safety Trevon Gola-Callard (6) for a touchdown in the first half at Jones AT&T Stadium and Cody Campbell Field. Mandatory credits: Michael C. Johnson-Imagn Images

Two teams with potent offenses and shaky defenses met Saturday in Lubbock, Texas, and the back-and-forth outcome was predictable.

Texas Tech outlasted Cincinnati 44-41, with some breathing room created in the fourth quarter by a defensive touchdown that proved to be just enough.

After forcing the first Red Raiders punt of the game, the Bearcats took possession with 1:50 left in the fourth quarter. Cincinnati drove to the Texas Tech 32-yard line, but Nathan Hawks was wide for a 51-yard field goal as time expired.

The Red Raiders (4-1, 2-0 Big 12) scored on all but two offensive possessions and stole a touchdown on AJ McCarty’s 51-yard pick-six for a 41-27 cushion with 12:40 to play.

The Bearcats (3-2, 1-1) answered quickly when Manny Covey, in the game after injuries to Cincinnati’s first two running backs, grabbed a screen pass and spun free for a 71-yard touchdown.

Texas Tech pushed the lead to 44-34 after Gino Garcia’s 27-yard field goal at the 7:50 mark. But the Bearcats responded with a 10-play, 75-yard drive that Covey capped off with a 3-yard touchdown catch from Brendan Sorsby with 3:24 on the clock.

Before the game-changing defensive score, the teams went back and forth in a game that was tied 24-24 at halftime.

The Red Raiders converted a Cincinnati fumble into a 31-24 before capturing the first two scores after McCarty’s interception.

Texas Tech running back Tahj Brooks dissected the Bearcats’ defense for 172 yards on 32 carries and reached the end zone twice, part of a night that totaled 482 yards for the Red Raiders. Quarterback Behren Morton completed 19 of 29 throws for 251 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Sorsby shined in defeat with 426 yards and four touchdowns on 31-of-45 passing. His interception off McCarty was his first this season.

Sorsby also led Cincinnati with 52 rushing yards to help the Bearcats reach 555 yards.

–Field-level media