Houston Cougars Outmatched in Blowout Loss vs No. 11 Texas Tech Red Raiders: Live Updates
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The Houston Cougars are set to face their toughest challenge of the season and the Coogs' first real test in their unbeaten season. As the Cougars look to protect their home field with the No. 11 Texas Tech Red Raiders will pay a visit to TDECU Stadium, with kick off set for 6 p.m.
The Coogs will look for a big-time upset and what would undoubtedly be the biggest victory in the Willie Fritz era in Houston. As the Red Raiders head into the matchup unbeaten at a perfect 4-0 record, looking like one of the teams to beat in the Big 12 after their road victory over then-ranked No. 16 Utah.
And with the Coogs coming off a comeback victory over the Oregon State Beavers, Saturday night's matchup pits a Texas Tech team looking to solidify itself as the team to beat in the Big 12, and a Cougars squad that is looking to make a statement and shake up the conference.
Live Game Updates
Conner Weigman heads into the game completing 65 of his 106 pass attempts for 836 yards with six passing touchdowns and a single interception. While also finding a lot of production on the ground with 141 rushing yards and four scores on the ground.
Weigman and starting running back Dean Connors will look to find success on the ground as they lead the Cougars' rushing attack, combining for 465 yards, 4.1 yards per carry, and seven touchdowns.
The Red Raiders have run their offense efficiently with two different quarterbacks, with Behren Morton as the starting quarterback and his backup, Will Hammond, who came in at times when Morton was hurt. The quarterbacks have combined to be 100 of 141 passing for 1,434 passing yards, with 15 passing touchdowns and four interceptions.
Morton gets the start against Houston, as he enters the matchup as one of the top quarterbacks in the Big 12, completing 69 of his 100 pass attempts for 1,065 passing yards for 11 touchdowns and three interceptions.
Houston will have to stop the high-powered offense. Fortunately, their passing defense has been great to start the season. The Cougars have their own strength in their passing defense. Through the first weeks of the season, Houston's passing defense ranks No. 11 in passing yards allowed per game with 140.2 and has given up just three passing touchdowns on the season.
The big game is set to kick off at 6:00 PM from TDECU Stadium, and be sure to check right back here for live updates as the action unfolds.
Live Updates
Houston won the coin toss and elected to defer; the Coogs will be on defense to start the game.
First Quarter
Texas Tech takes its opening and drives deep into Houston territory, one in the red zone, the Cougars' defense makes a stand, forcing the Red Raiders to settle for a field goal from 26 yards out, which was good.
Texas Tech 3, Houston 0
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Not an ideal start for the offense, starting with a turnover as Conner Weigman targeted Dean Connors, with the pass going backwards and dropped by Connors, being a live ball, and the Red Raiders recovered deep in Houston territory.
change of possession
The turnover doesn't prove to be entirely costly, holding the Red Raiders once again to a field goal with the 33-yard attempt being converted.
Texas Tech 6, Houston 0
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After potentially giving up another fumble, the call was overturned, and the Cougars will punt the ball away, not getting much productivity through the first two drives.
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Texas Tech drives into the red zone after a big 3rd & 20 conversion with a 33-yard completion from Behren Morton to Caleb Douglas. However, Texas Tech can not punch the ball into the end zone, settling for another field goal. With the field goal made successfully.
Texas Tech 9, Houston 0
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The Cougars' offense puts together its best drive of the game so far, highlighted by a 44-yard completion from Weigman to Kobe Young down to the Red Raider 12-yard line while being interfered with. Houston could not convert in the red zone, having to settle for a 24-yard field goal attempt from Ethan Sanchez, which was good.
Texas Tech 9, Houston 3
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Texas Tech gets the first touchdown of the night with a quick three-play 75-yard touchdown drive capped off with a 69-yard passing touchdown from Morton to running back Cameron Dickey. Texas Tech would go for two, with the attempt unsuccessful.
Texas Tech 15, Houston 3
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Second Quarter
Needing to respond to the Red Raider touchdown, Houston was not able to, as Weigman would throw an interception on 2nd & 9 to linebacker Jacob Rodriguez, who returned the turnover for 26 yards
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Capitalizing on the turnover right away, Texas Tech needed only five plays to go 25 yards and end the drive with a five-yard rushing touchdown from J'Koby Williams to extend the Red Raiders' lead.
Texas Tech 22, Houston 3
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The Cougars managed to drive the ball into Red Raider territory after a 19-yard completion from Weigman to wide receiver Stephon Johsnon, followed by a 15-yard pass interference penalty. After two unsuccessful rush attempts from Connors, Weigman would get sacked on third down, losing 10 yards and forcing Houston to punt.
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Houston gets a stop, forcing a three-and-out from the Red Raiders and their first punt of the ball game.
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On 4th & 6, Weigman could not connect with tight end Tanner Koziol, throwing it behind his big tight end for a turnover on downs from the Cougars.
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Texas Tech looked to find the end zone once again, reaching deep into the Coguars' red zone, getting the ball all the way down to the Coguars' one-yard line. However, after a few false start penalties and an incomplete pass on 3rd and goal, the Red Raiders were forced to kick another short field goal, with the attempt successful.
Texas Tech 25, Houston 3
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Houston would respond quickly, scoring in just two plays with backup quarterback Zeon Chriss connecting with wide receiver Amare Thomas for a 64-yard touchdown pass. Houston would go for the two-point conversion, with the attempt successful, with Chriss finding Stephon Johnson in the back of the end zone.
Texas Tech 25, Houston 11
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With time still left in the second quarter, the Red Raiders were able to drive the football 56 yards in nine plays in just over a minute left in the half. A sack on 1st and 10 from the Cougars on Morton forced the Red Raiders to settle for a field goal. However, the 44-yard attempt was no good and the Cougars will be down 14 headed into halftime and getting the ball to start the third quarter.
Texas 25, Houston 11
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Third Quarter
Houston can't do much with their opening drive of the second half, starting with a three-and-out.
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Another long drive from the Red Raiders as Texas Tech covered 73 yards on 13 plays, but could not finish in the end zone, with the Cougars' defense continuing to bend and not break, forcing another field goal attempt. And the 29-yard field goal attempt was successful.
Texas Tech 28, Houston 11
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The Coogs could not get anything started in their second drive of the third quarter, going three and out once again after a sack for a seven-yard loss on second down and a reception falling way short of the first down marker. The Coogs punted once more.
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Texas Tech drives one more into Houston territory, settling for a long 53-yard field goal attempt, which was missed, sailing wide right.
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Zeon Chriss forces a throw into double coverage, leading to an interception from Red Raiders defensive back Brenden Jordan. Texas Tech takes over at its own 23-yard line.
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The Red Raiders could not capitalize on the turnover going three and out in their ensuing possession.
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Fourth Quarter
After gaining a first down on the first play of the drive after a 12-yard scramble from Chriss, Houston's drive would stall, having to go for it on 4th and 2, and after a pass broken up, the Coogs would turn the ball over on downs.
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This time, Texas Tech does convert for a touchdown after the Houston turnover with a seven-play 38 touchdown drive, capped by a one-yard touchdown run from J'Koby Williams, his second touchdown of the ball game.
Texas Tech 35, Houston 11
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Houston doesn't get much going on offensively with another three-and-out.
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On the first play of the Texas Tech drive, running back Cameron Dickey puts the ball on the ground, with linebacker Sione Fotu recovering the fumble.
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Trying to get back into the game, Houston would go for it on 4th and 8, and turning the ball over on down once again, after a completion to Koziol for six yards left the Coogs two yards away from the line to gain.
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And with a 13-play 79-yard drive that bled out the remaining 7:39 minutes left in the game, Texas Tech was in victory formation to end the game and remain unbeaten on the season.
Final: Texas Tech 35, Houston 11
