Durante-Main-101516.jpg
Mountaineers Lead at Halftime, 24-7
October 15, 2016 02:01 PM | Football
LUBBOCK, Texas - West Virginia cashed in on two length-of-the field drives and held Texas Tech’s high-powered offense to just one touchdown to take a 24-7 first-half lead in today’s game at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas.
West Virginia got on the scoreboard first when Justin Crawford bulled in from the 10, his run set up by Skyler Howard’s 54-yard pass to Daikiel Shorts Jr.
Two possessions later, Texas Tech tied the game late in the first quarter when quarterback Patrick Mahomes, scrambling to buy time at midfield, flung a pass into the end zone that West Virginia misplayed into a 44-yard touchdown reception by Jonathan Giles.
The score came with the Red Raiders facing a third and 29.
The Mountaineers answered with another length-of-the-field drive that stalled at the Tech 27, requiring Mike Molina to boot a 34-yard field goal.
A big turnover produced by linebacker Sean Walters when he pulled the ball out of the hands of a Texas Tech wide receiver turned momentum in West Virginia’s favor. The Mountaineers marched from their 11 into the end zone for their second touchdown of the game, this one coming on a five-yard Howard screen pass to Crawford.
West Virginia tacked on a late score when Howard called his own number and got in from the eight.
WVU could have had three more on the game’s opening possession, but Mike Molina couldn’t connect on a 43-yard field goal attempt, although his kick had plenty of distance.
Penalties played a big part in the first half for both sides, WVU being whistled six times for 70 yards while Texas Tech suffered four infractions for 44 yards, a critical one coming late in the second quarter when the Red Raiders had a fourth and one at the West Virginia 24. An illegal snap moved the ball back to the 29, and Mahomes’ fourth-down pass to the far side of the field fell incomplete.
West Virginia had a 392-200 edge in total yards in the first half.
More details to come …
Gold-Blue Spring Festival Fan Recap
Sunday, April 19
John Neider | April 18
Saturday, April 18
Coach Zac Alley | April 18
Saturday, April 18
Coach Rich Rodriguez | April 18
Saturday, April 18
