The Red Raiders raced out to a huge lead against Iowa State to head into halftime 31-14. By early in the 4th quarter, the Cyclones had clawed back into the game after stopping Texas Tech twice on fourth down in field goal range.

The Red Raiders were hurt by penalties or arguable calls on nearly every Iowa State touchdown drive, but ultimately it was a young quarterback for the Red Raiders who led the team to a victory for interim head coach Sonny Cumbie.

Actually, it was kicker Jonathan Garibay who led the Red Raiders to victory after drilling a 62-yard field goal with no time remaining on the clock. The 41-38 win also clinches bowl eligibility for Texas Tech.

Just to step back in the game quickly, Texas Tech scored on their opening possession in 7 plays, going 75-yards and ending in a Tahj Brooks touchdown run. Texas Tech's defense then forced a punt. On the next offensive possession, a controversial interception led to an Iowa State touchdown. Tie game.

The Red Raiders would score on another 75-yard drive finishing with an Erik Ezukanma touchdown grab. Colin Schooler would intercept a Brock Purdy pass on the next drive, leading to a 15-play, 70-yard touchdown drive, giving Texas Tech a 21-7 lead. An Iowa State punt and another Texas Tech touchdown drive had the Red Raiders rolling.

On the next Iowa State possession, they would stall out at 3rd and 18...except for another controversial call that extended the drive, leading to another touchdown from Iowa State. Score: 28-14.

With just over a minute left in the half, a masterful Donovan Smith would get Texas Tech in field goal range to go to the half, 31-14.

The 3rd quarter was a weird one for Texas Tech. The Red Raiders would get into field goal range twice and get held on 4th down both times instead of kicking field goals. Iowa State would open the second half with another Purdy pick, but would eventually get it going, and early in the 4th quarter it was suddenly 31-28 with Texas Tech barely holding on.

Texas Tech would finally respond with a 6-play, 75-yard drive that was capped off by a SaRodorick Thompson touchdown. 38-28.

The next possession is where the game really heated up.

Iowa State gets into Texas Tech's red zone and Brock Purdy throws ANOTHER interception. Three different Texas Tech players get called for excessive celebration because they think they've just clinched a huge game, but the interception gets reviewed and somehow gets overturned by the refs.

The Texas Tech defender had complete control of the interception, but the replay official determined the ball had grazed the grass. Iowa State retained possession, but chaos ensued. A Texas Tech fan allegedly threw something onto the field, so the stadium police kick out two sections of students to get them out of the way.

They really just moved over into other sections.

That would make it 38-35 in favor of Texas Tech. A quick three-and-out would give back the ball to Iowa State. Late in the next drive on 3rd and long, Purdy broke contain and tried to pick up a first down with his legs. Somehow, Collin Schooler chased him down and forced the field goal.

Tie game, 38-38.

Freshman quarterback Donovan Smith, making his first start since he was a senior at Frenship Highschool in Wolfforth, Texas, had exactly one minute on the clock to work a little magic.

He got his team past midfield. Jonathan Garibay did the rest:

Here's another angle with the radio broadcast behind it from Leerfield:

The win is big for the team, for Sonny Cumbie, and for Texas Tech as a whole.

The Red Raiders had never beaten Matt Campbell until tonight. What other streaks can they break in the next two games?

Highlights: Texas Tech vs Iowa State

The Texas Tech Red Raiders (5-4) square off against the Iowa State Cyclones (6-3) at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. (November 13th, 2021)

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