No. 24 Texas Tech continued its high-powered start to the season on Saturday, blowing out Kent State 62-14 behind a dominant offensive and defensive showing. The Red Raiders (2-0) showed why they are a team to watch in 2025, improving on last week’s 67-7 rout of FCS opponent Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
Quarterback Behren Morton, returning from a hyperextended knee that forced him out of last week’s game, picked up right where he left off. Playing only the first half, Morton was 18 of 26 for 258 yards and three touchdowns, proving he can lead the Red Raiders even with limited action. Cameron Dickey added two rushing scores, while Reggie Virgil caught two touchdown passes, helping Texas Tech build a 48-0 halftime lead—one point better than their margin at the break last week.
The Red Raiders’ defense also made its mark. Skyler Gill-Howard, a 290-pound transfer from Northern Illinois, returned an interception 55 yards for a touchdown, showcasing the kind of game-changing talent Texas Tech added this offseason. The play came after Lee Hunter pressured the Kent State quarterback and A.J. Holmes Jr. tipped the pass, allowing Gill-Howard to run untouched to the end zone for a commanding 38-0 lead early in the second quarter.
Kent State, which entered the contest 1-1 after snapping a 21-game losing streak last week, struggled mightily against the Red Raiders’ speed and physicality. The Golden Flashes recorded negative total yards until a 38-yard screen pass to Gavin Garcia on their sixth possession. Mistakes were plentiful, including a mishandled snap on the first punt and a second fumble near the end of the first half recovered by Texas Tech’s Anthony Holmes Jr.
Despite the lopsided score, Kent State did manage to get on the board in the fourth quarter with a touchdown pass and a rushing score from Dru DeShields. It was a small consolation against a team firing on all cylinders.
A few noteworthy stats and takeaways:
Texas Tech has scored on its first 14 possessions of the season, including all 11 against Arkansas-Pine Bluff and the first three against Kent State. Jack Burgess didn’t even punt until late in the first quarter against Kent State.
The Red Raiders’ depth and explosive playmaking, particularly from recent transfers like Gill-Howard, show a roster capable of both scoring quickly and creating defensive havoc.
Kent State’s miscues illustrate the challenges mid-major programs face against top-25 opponents early in the season.
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