Oct 24, 2021

Kansas State rallies to defeat Texas Tech

Posted Oct 24, 2021 1:28 AM

By D. Scott Fritchen

LUBBOCK, Texas – Kansas State used a fourth-quarter touchdown reception by running back Deuce Vaughn to take a 25-24 lead and recorded back-to-back sacks on Texas Tech quarterback Henry Colombi in the final 2 minutes to capture its first Big 12 Conference victory of the season in sizzling style before a stunned crowd at Jones AT&T Stadium.

K-State, 4-3 overall and 1-3 in the Big 12, trailed 24-10 at halftime and appeared to be on the ropes after the Red Raiders took a commanding 14-0 lead less than 4 minutes into the game. But K-State fought back to claim its sixth straight win in the series with a statement performance that put to bed a frustrating start to its league season. Texas Tech entered seeking to reach bowl eligibility its fastest in a season since 2013 but fell to 5-3 and 2-3.

“We came in at halftime and we didn’t flinch or bat an eye,” K-State head coach Chris Klieman said. “We felt like we were the better team and had a chance to win the game. We just had to make some plays. It was a much-needed victory as we all know. We needed to find a way to go on the road and get a win. I’m happy for the guys. We can enjoy it today.”

Skylar Thompson completed 24 of 30 passes for 296 yards and 1 touchdown, and his scoring toss came on a 22-yard pass to Vaughn that proved to be the game winner with 6 minutes, 9 seconds left, capping a dramatic comeback dampened by a season-high 12 penalties and a few long plays early by the Red Raiders.

“Both sides of the ball we were trying to get out of own way,” Klieman said. “There were too many penalties, and the crowd was a little bit of a factor. Discipline penalties you can’t have. Defensively, just a couple of blown assignments. You can’t do those things and be successful. We’re not a team that can give teams 10 0r 15 points and we did that again today.”

The Wildcats, who had suffered through a mound of frustration caused by unforced errors against Oklahoma State, Oklahoma, and Iowa State, didn’t play a perfect game, but they grabbed the momentum in the second half and shutout the Colombi and the Red Raiders in the fourth quarter when they most needed to make stops.

“We started to play good team defense,” Klieman said, “which is what you have to do.”

Colombi went 10 of 17 for 148 yards with 1 interception, and the Red Raiders, who entered the game leading the FBS with 17 plays from scrimmage longer than 40 yards, tried to knockout the Wildcats early with their big-play capabilities. They had rushes of 30 and 45 yards and passes of 40 and 48 yards in the first half.

However, the Wildcats wouldn’t be stopped, clawed their way back, and took their first lead in 10 quarters in highlight style.