Explosive Plays Give Red Raiders Early Lead On OSU

Befitting for a Halloween afternoon, all of Oklahoma State's worst nightmares came to fruition early at Jones AT&T Stadium.

Battling a Texas Tech team that's itching for strong performance, the Cowboys are falling victim to everything Tech has to do to pull an upset on the #12 Pokes of Oklahoma State.

Item A on the "Texas Tech Upset Checklist":

Create big plays/turnovers.

Through the first 12 minutes of the ballgame the Red Raiders already have a 31 yard rush from Deandre Washington that set up an even more explosive 42 yard passing touchdown from Patrick Mahomes to Justin Stockton.

That's not all. On their second possesion of the game Jakeem Grant flashed his playmaking ability catching a bubble screen on the Texas Tech 5 and zig zagging his way down inside the Oklahoma State 10, good for a 90 yard gain.

Watch as Jakeem Grant weaves his way through the OSU defense for 90 yards. #GunsUp https://t.co/2qUL8Qdbrm

— TechGameday (@TechGameday) October 31, 2015

Feeding off a spirited Halloween crowd, Texas Tech was only getting started.

On the second Cowboys possession, Red Raiders linebacker Dakota Allen stepped in front of a wayward Mason Rudolph pass, stealing an extra possession for the high powered Tech offense. The interception led to three more points and a 17-0 Red Raider lead.

Oklahoma State answered the Tech field goal with their first touchdown drive of the game, but right when they felt like they were turning things around Jakeem Grant struck again. On the ensuing kickoff after the Pokes first score, Grant exploded up the right sideline for a 100 yard touchdown return, sending Jones AT&T Stadium in to a fever pitch and giving the Red Raiders a 24-7 lead.

Even more important than the early 17 point lead is the confidence gained from such an explosive start to this ballgame. Texas Tech is a home dog against the unbeaten Pokes, but as everyone knows the longer the under dog stays in the fight, the more dangerous it becomes.

Oklahoma State is officially on upset alert at Jones AT&T Stadium, Happy Halloween, Cowboys.