From the moment J’Koby Williams touched the football, it was clear Texas Tech came ready to make a statement. The sophomore speedster took the opening kickoff 99 yards to the house, igniting a 42-0 rout of Oklahoma State on a lightning-delayed Saturday afternoon in Lubbock.
The No. 14 Red Raiders (7-1, 4-1 Big 12) wasted no time burying last week’s disappointment — a narrow 26-22 loss at Arizona State — with an offensive explosion and defensive lockdown that harkened back to their early-season dominance.
Williams Sparks a Red Raider Surge
After a 30-minute lightning delay, the atmosphere at Jones AT&T Stadium was buzzing — even without the tortillas. Texas Tech officials had recently banned the long-standing fan tradition of throwing tortillas on kickoffs after repeated penalties from the Big 12. But Williams provided all the excitement fans could handle.
His 99-yard kickoff return immediately energized the crowd and set the tone for the afternoon. Just minutes later, following a blocked punt by Tech’s special teams unit, Williams struck again — this time catching a short screen pass from quarterback Will Hammond and weaving through defenders for a 26-yard score.
Two touches. Two touchdowns. Less than three minutes into the game, and the Red Raiders were already in full control.
Defense Does Its Damage
While the offense lit up the scoreboard, Texas Tech’s defense smothered Oklahoma State (1-7, 0-5 Big 12) from start to finish. Linebacker Jacob Rodriguez made the highlight reel with a remarkable 69-yard fumble return for a touchdown in the second quarter.
It wasn’t just opportunistic — it was pure hustle and strength. Rodriguez ripped the ball straight out of Sesi Vailahi’s hands and sprinted untouched to the end zone. It marked his 11th career fumble recovery, ranking second among active FBS players.
The defense held the Cowboys to just 182 total yards, marking Texas Tech’s first Big 12 shutout since a 28-0 win over Baylor in 2005.
Quarterback Carousel Continues
The Red Raiders’ quarterback situation continues to evolve. With Behren Morton sidelined for the second straight week, freshman Will Hammond started again and looked sharp early — until a lower right leg injury forced him to the sideline in the second quarter.
Enter Mitch Griffis, the third-string quarterback, who didn’t just manage the game — he extended the lead. Griffis threw a touchdown and ran for another, helping Texas Tech reach a 35-0 advantage by the middle of the third quarter. Morton suited up at halftime but wasn’t needed, as Griffis efficiently closed out the game.
Oklahoma State’s Ongoing Struggles
For the Cowboys, the nightmare season continues. Oklahoma State has now lost seven straight games since its Week 1 win over FCS opponent Tennessee-Martin. The offense sputtered again, showing no rhythm under either of its quarterbacks — Sam Jackson V or midseason addition Noah Walters.
With this loss, Oklahoma State has suffered three shutout defeats of 42 points or more since 2022, an alarming statistic for a program that was once a Big 12 contender.
What It Means
For Texas Tech: The Red Raiders bounced back in emphatic fashion, reasserting themselves as a Big 12 title threat. The defense continues to improve weekly, and with a deep roster of playmakers like Williams, Rodriguez, and a healthy Morton possibly returning soon, Texas Tech remains a dangerous team heading into November.
For Oklahoma State: The Cowboys are officially in rebuild mode. The offense lacks consistency, the defense can’t keep pace, and the quarterback position remains unsettled. The focus now likely shifts to player development and damage control through the final stretch of the season.
Final Thoughts
It was a near-perfect afternoon for Texas Tech — minus the weather delay. The crowd saw fireworks early, the defense pitched a shutout, and the Red Raiders looked every bit like a team determined to climb back into the playoff conversation.
