Texas Tech Goes Full Texas Tech, Loses Heartbreaker to K-State

Texas Tech football got off to an electric start at 11 a.m. against Kansas State. Two plays led to a touchdown on their opening drive. Then, a fumble on the ensuing kickoff led to another touchdown drive. That 14-0 lead would get to the half as a 24-10 lead, with everyone feeling pretty good. But the uneasy feeling and the WVU game was in the back of Red Raiders fans' heads everywhere.

Sure, Texas Tech beat the Mountaineers, but had to kick a game-winning field goal after a 17-point halftime lead evaporated. Against Kansas State, though, the Red Red Raiders gave up 16 unanswered points, then just forgot to keep scoring in the second half.

Final score: Kansas State 25, Texas Tech 24

I don't know if 'gut punch' is really the right phrase here, but it certainly didn't feel good to have the game fully in your grasp and then just give it away.

The entire game can be summed up by one play.

After back-to-back Tyree Wilson sacks, Kansas State found itself with a 3rd and 34, down by five early in the fourth quarter. QB Skylar Thompson found a receiver for 18 yards, but it didn't matter because the officials called a personal foul on Texas Tech to gift the Wildcats a first down.

Say what you want about the validity of the call, but the Red Raiders have been doing this for nearly a decade. The program just can't find a way to win.

Spencer Tillman said on the broadcast that head coach Matt Wells and Texas Tech were out-coached by Chris Klieman and he Kansas State staff. I disagree. This was all about Kansas State players on the field executing, and the Red Raiders doing the opposite.

Texas Tech QB Henry Colombi in particular had a second half to forget, missing badly on a post to Dalton Rigdon and on a slant to Eric Ezukanma. He also had poor awareness, taking several sacks in the second half.

Kansas State had 12 penalties for 93 yards, opposed to Texas Tech's 5 for 41.

Kansas State had 29 carries for 18 total yards.

Texas Tech won the turnover battle.

Yet the Wildcats won the game.

I'm having trouble even processing how bad Texas Tech looked in the second half. It's not like Kansas State even played better than Texas Tech today; the Red Raiders just flat-out refused to win today.

Matt Wells talked ad nauseam this week about stacking success. Another opportunity to do so was wasted today by a team that lost focus when it mattered. With a win and bowl eligibility in their grasp a week before Halloween, the Red Raiders just gave the game away.

The loss at face value is pretty indefensible, but now you have to go to Norman, Oklahoma before heading into a bye week, and then finishing with Iowa State, Oklahoma State and Baylor.

Matt Wells needed to win this one bad, and his team let him down.