LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) — Behren Morton threw two touchdown passes, Tahj Brooks ran for two scores and Texas Tech got off to a fast start to beat West Virginia 48-10 on Saturday.
After a bye week and playing in Lubbock for the first time in nearly a month, the Red Raiders (4-3, 2-2 Big 12) scored 17 points on turnovers, snapped a two-game losing streak and improved to 3. -0 at home.
Texas Tech took control with touchdowns on their first two drives and the Red Raiders’ fast-paced offense kept West Virginia off balance. Texas Tech topped 100 offensive snaps, including 55 in the first half when he converted six of seven times on fourth down.
Brooks had 17 carries for a season-high 107 yards, including touchdown runs of 1 and 19 yards in the first quarter.
Morton, a redshirt freshman, was solid again in his second straight start. He completed 28 of 45 passes for 325 yards after throwing for 379 two weeks ago in a loss to No. 11 Oklahoma State.
After Texas Tech’s Malik Dunlap intercepted a poorly thrown ball on West Virginia’s first drive of the third quarter, the Red Raiders’ Xavier White caught a pass from Morton and went 37 yards through traffic for a touchdown. of 55 yards.
Later, White had a 27-yard catch along the sideline to set up Morton’s 12-yard touchdown pass to Loic Fouonji for a 31-3 lead. White had eight receptions for a career-high 139 yards.
Texas Tech entered the game with one of the worst turnover margins in the Bowl Subdivision. The Red Raiders intercepted three passes and recovered a CJ Donaldson fumble near midfield. After the fumble recovery, SaRodorick Thompson scored on a 13-yard run for a 38-10 lead to start the fourth.
Texas Tech kicked a short field goal after JT Daniels’ third-highest interception of his career. Daniels finished 23 of 36 for 194 yards for the Mountaineers (3-4, 1-3).
It marked the fifth road loss of at least 25 points for West Virginia under fourth-year coach Neal Brown.
THE TO GO
West Virginia: Offensive injuries hampered the Mountaineers. Starting left guard James Gmiter sat out and left tackle Wyatt Milum left the game with a lower leg injury in the third quarter. Running backs Justin Johnson and Tony Mathis sat out the second half. The Mountaineers fell to 1-3 on the road and must now win three of their remaining five games to be eligible for the bowl.
Texas Tech: The Red Raiders beat West Virginia for the fourth straight game.
UNTIL NEXT TIME
West Virginia hosts No. 8 TCU next Saturday.
Texas Tech hosts Baylor next Saturday.
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