Texas Tech secures bowl eligibility in slugfest against Iowa State

A sluggish first half set up the Red Raiders 14-10 win over Iowa State, securing bowl eligibility in back-to-back seasons for the first time since the dawn of the Kliff Kingsbury era.

In the freezing temperatures, the teams combined for twelve punts, while the Cyclones missed two field goals in the first half.

Tech got out to the lead on a one-yard rush from Donovan Smith in a two-quarterback set on a night where points were hard to come by.

The Red Raider defense continued to be the story, including a massive play from Jesiah Pierre on 4th & 1 from the two-yard line which forced a turnover on downs.

On the ensuing possession, Iowa State took the ball down to the two-yard line once again, went for it on fourth down and was stopped by a Jaylon Hutchings sack of Hunter Dekkers on 4th & Goal.

The Cyclones went to the redzone five times and scored only three points in those trips.

Iowa State took the lead early in the fourth quarter with a 24-yard touchdown hurdling over Rayshad Williams before Baylor Cupp’s touchdown with six minutes left in the fourth quarter.

Matt Campbell decided to punt on 4th & 15 with three minutes left in regulation, which was a toss-up decision if they go by the analytics.

The Red Raiders iced the game with a first down run from Shough as they prepare for senior night against Oklahoma next Saturday.