Red Raiders Rallied Late to Defeat Wildcats 34-26 in Lubbock

Final Verdict

Texas Tech Red Raiders defeated the visiting Arizona Wildcats 34-26 on Saturday, October 31, at Galaxy Stadium in Lubbock. The home team improved to 7-1, while Arizona fell to 6-2. A crowd of 59,131 witnessed a back-and-forth contest where Texas Tech managed to extend their lead in the final minutes despite a spirited late effort by the Wildcats.

First Half Dynamics

Arizona struck first with a 35-yard field goal by Michael Salgado-Medina to open the scoring. Texas Tech responded quickly, with Thomas Castellanos finding Terrance Carter Jr. for a 24-yard touchdown pass. The Wildcats retook the lead in the second quarter when Noah Fifita connected with Isaiah Mizell for a 94-yard score.

Kedrick Reescano added a five-yard rushing touchdown for Arizona, capping a 10-point third-quarter sequence that put them ahead 17-7. Stone Harrington trimmed the deficit with a 29-yard field goal before halftime, leaving Texas Tech trailing 17-10.

Third Quarter Shift

The momentum shifted significantly in the third period. Thomas Castellanos broke the tie with an eight-yard rushing touchdown. Arizona answered with a one-yard run by Reescano, though the extra-point kick was blocked.

Texas Tech then reclaimed the lead when Castellanos threw a 27-yard touchdown pass to Kenny Johnson. By the end of the third quarter, the Red Raiders held a 24-23 advantage, having outscored Arizona 14-6 in the frame.

Fourth Quarter Conclusion

Arizona narrowed the gap early in the fourth quarter with a 42-yard field goal by Harrington. However, Texas Tech struck back decisively with a 64-yard rushing touchdown by J'Koby Williams. Arizona managed a final 22-yard field goal to end the game, but the damage was done.

Castellanos finished with 11 passes for 144 yards and two touchdowns, while Williams rushed for 175 yards and a score. For Arizona, Fifita passed for 417 yards and a touchdown, and Mizell had 182 receiving yards and a score.

Sources

ESPN