Texas Tech’s Defense Stands Tall in the Red Zone of Iowa State

The Texas Tech offense was stifled by a great Iowa State defense, but the Texas Tech defense stood tall multiple times to make up for the paltry offense.

Texas Tech started with the ball against Iowa State in the freezing tundra of Jack Trice Stadium and immediately fumbled the ball. Iowa State got the ball on the Texas Tech 16, gained three yards, and then missed a field goal. That would be a theme in the game moving forward.

For the rest of the 1st quarter, the two Cyclones and the Red Raiders would put the ball back and forth to each other. It was a miserable affair, due to the fact that Iowa State had two first downs and Texas Tech had a fumble and two three-and-outs to open the game.

Finally, on the fourth Texas Tech drive of the game, SaRodorick would take the handoff out of the endzone and rush for 15 yards. Shough, Thompson, and Brooks would slowly move the ball down the field with a 14-play masterpiece that broke open with a 38-yard completion to Myles Price, who had opened the game with a fumble. After that catch, Donovan Smith came in for his second carry in two weeks and his second touchdown. Texas Tech led 7-0.

Iowa State would finally connect on one of their field goals making 7-3. That score would take us to halftime.

In the second half, Iowa State would punt on their opening possession.

Then they'd drive it nine plays and get stuffed at the two-yard line on fourth and goal.

On their third possession of the half, they'd drive it 10 plays and get stuffed at the two-yard line on fourth and goal.

The definition of bend but don't break by the Texas Tech defense.

By the fourth quarter, Iowa State would finally get a drive to finish in the endzone with a 7-play 53-yard drive that put Iowa State up 10-7. With the Red Raider offense looking clueless, it seemed like a dangerous situation for Texas Tech.

Spoiler alert: It wasn't a dangerous situation.

Shough would lead another extended drive of 13-plays to get into the endzone with a pass to Baylor Cupp to retake the lead 14-10.

Iowa State would get the ball and drive it 19 yards in 8 plays before punting with less than three minutes left from the 44-yard line on 4th and 15. Texas Tech would easily run out the clock and effectively end Iowa State's bowl chances while punching their own ticket to the postseason.