Red Raiders weather the storm, crush Oregon State 45-14

Saturday night in Lubbock didn’t start on time, but it ended with a statement. After a 2 ½–hour weather delay halted action just two and a half minutes into the game, No. 21 Texas Tech wasted no time showing why it belongs in the national conversation. The Red Raiders dismantled Oregon State 45-14, improving to 3-0 for the first time under head coach Joey McGuire.

The story of the night was quarterback Behren Morton, who continues to look more comfortable and more dangerous with each passing week. Morton threw four touchdown passes, spreading the wealth to four different receivers. His strikes—a 38-yard bomb to Coy Eakin, a 61-yard deep ball to Caleb Douglas, a 30-yard dart to J’Koby Williams, and a 23-yard toss to Terrance Carter—showed both his arm talent and his command of the offense. Morton has now racked up 852 passing yards and 11 touchdowns through just three games, and he did it this time while finally getting extended action into the third quarter. That’s a scary thought for upcoming Big 12 defenses.

Texas Tech’s offense wasn’t one-dimensional, either. J’Koby Williams had himself a night, scoring twice—once on a touchdown grab and another on a rushing attempt. Freshman back Cameron Dickey also powered in for a short-yardage score, giving the Red Raiders balance in the ground game. And when the dust settled, kicker Upton Bellenfant chipped in with a short field goal to pad the lead.

By halftime, Tech had built a commanding 28-0 cushion, thanks to crisp execution and Oregon State’s inability to get any traction. The Beavers looked shell-shocked after the delay, and Eakin’s long touchdown on the third play after resumption set the tone. From there, the Red Raiders never looked back.

For Oregon State, it was a night of frustration that only eased in the final minutes. Quarterback Maalik Murphy finally broke through late, connecting on touchdown passes to Bryce Caufield and Karson Boschma against Tech’s reserves. By then, though, the game had long been decided. The loss dropped the Beavers to 0-3 for the first time since 2011, a mark that underscores just how much work first-year coach Trent Bray has ahead of him. Adding to the frustration: Oregon State has now lost 18 straight road games against ranked opponents, a streak that stretches all the way back to 2012.

The biggest takeaway is how complete Texas Tech looked. Yes, Morton’s passing grabbed the headlines, but the defense deserves credit for pitching a first-half shutout and forcing Oregon State to play catch-up all night. Joey McGuire’s squad looks disciplined, explosive, and deep—a combination that has Red Raider fans rightfully optimistic heading into Big 12 play.

On the flip side, Oregon State’s struggles aren’t just about talent; they’re about confidence. A program can’t drop three straight to open the year without it weighing heavily in the locker room. The Beavers have to regroup quickly before the season spirals further.

In the end, Saturday’s weather delay might have slowed kickoff, but it couldn’t slow Texas Tech’s momentum. With Morton in command and a supporting cast full of playmakers, the Red Raiders look poised to make noise in the Big 12—and perhaps beyond.