Texas Tech’s Red Raiders made a triumphant return to Manhattan on Saturday, securing a 43-20 victory over Kansas State in a game defined as much by turnovers as by talent. Quarterback Berhen Morton, back from a leg injury, threw for 249 yards and two touchdowns, while J’Koby Williams ran for 135 yards and a score to lead the Red Raiders (8-1, 5-1 Big 12).
Cameron Dickey also contributed with a touchdown run, and Texas Tech’s defense was relentless, forcing five turnovers. The win snapped an eight-game losing streak against Kansas State (4-5, 3-3) and marked the team’s first victory in Manhattan since 2008.
For Red Raiders fans, the 2025 season is beginning to feel reminiscent of 2008, when Mike Leach guided Texas Tech to a Cotton Bowl appearance. With their 8-1 record, the Red Raiders are off to their best conference start in years.
A Rocky Start Turns Into a Dominant Performance
The game started messy for both teams. Morton opened with an interception, only for Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson to respond with one of his own. Both teams also struggled on fourth down, and the first half featured fumbles and miscues on both sides. Yet Texas Tech eventually capitalized on Kansas State’s mistakes.
A fumble by Jayce Brown turned into a touchdown to give Texas Tech a 9-7 lead.
A late first-half three-and-out resulted in a 55-yard field goal for the Red Raiders.
Early in the second half, Garrett Oakley’s fumble led to a 41-yard run by Williams, giving Texas Tech a 19-7 advantage.
Despite Johnson rushing for two touchdowns and passing for another, the Wildcats’ errors proved costly. Kansas State also failed on all four of its fourth-down attempts, further stalling their momentum.
Defense Steps Up When It Matters
Texas Tech’s defense made sure the game never got too close. They stopped a two-point attempt late in the fourth quarter, stuffed Johnson on fourth down near midfield, and after a Red Raiders fumble, held the Wildcats again on fourth down with under six minutes remaining. Linebacker John Curry sealed the win with a fumble return touchdown with just under five minutes left.
Jacob Rodriguez’s two forced fumbles and Brice Pollock’s interception highlighted a defensive performance that disrupted Kansas State’s rhythm. With 12 tackles for loss, the Wildcats struggled to gain traction, even when they managed to get into scoring position.
Offensive Standouts
Morton proved efficient and composed in his first start back from injury, completing 21 of 32 passes. Williams carried the ground game effectively, averaging nearly 8 yards per carry, while Dickey added another rushing score. Caleb Douglas emerged as the top receiver, hauling in eight catches for 82 yards and two touchdowns.
Texas Tech’s ability to turn turnovers into points was the difference in the game. Each Kansas State mistake was met with a response, and by the third quarter, the Red Raiders had built a commanding 29-14 lead. From there, the defense controlled the game to secure a 23-point win. Notably, all eight of Texas Tech’s victories this season have come by at least 23 points—a sign of their growing dominance.
Takeaway
While not a perfect game—turnovers and penalties did creep in—Texas Tech showed that it can overcome adversity with balanced offensive play and opportunistic defense. Kansas State simply made too many mistakes and couldn’t capitalize on key opportunities, leaving them unable to mount a serious comeback.
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