MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – For the first time in a Big 12 game this year West Virginia scored first, and not surprisingly, the Mountaineers have a 17-14 halftime lead over Texas Tech here at Milan Puskar Stadium in Morgantown.
Rushel Shell bounced in from the five on West Virginia’s second possession of the game, and the Mountaineers scored again on the ground early in the second quarter when Wendell Smallwood went into the end zone untouched from the 16.
Texas Tech’s two touchdowns came through the air, with scrambling quarterback Patrick Mahomes avoiding pressure to throw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Jakeem Grant and later hitting Reginald Davis on a pretty nine-yard scoring pass late in the second quarter.
Mahomes’ second TD hookup came with 35 seconds left and was the result of a poor punt by Nick O’Toole that sailed out of bounds at the Red Raider 38.
Texas Tech returned the favor when Clayton Hatfield’s short kick was returned by Jovon Durante to the 37.
Skyler Howard completed a 17-yard pass to Ka’Raun White to the Tech 46, and then two Rushel Shell runs got the ball to the Red Raider 22 with four seconds left in the half.
That is where Lambert was able to successfully punch through his 39-yard field goal at time experienced. Earlier in the second quarter, Lambert missed from 35 yards.
Mahomes completed 14-of-19 passes for 123 yards and two touchdowns with two interceptions, while Howard completed nine-of-15 for 127 yards.
Shell led all ball carriers with 80 yards on just seven attempts. Smallwood also had an effective first half carrying the football, gaining 56 yards on nine totes.
This is the first time West Virginia has led at any time in a Big 12 game this season.
West Virginia will kick off to begin the second half.
More details to come …
