Ames, Iowa —Iowa State left everything on the field and they know if they want to play in the BIG 12 Championship Game, they have to stop turning the ball over and shooting themselves in the foot.
Behren Morton led Texas Tech on a thrilling 71-yard drive, capped by a 5-yard touchdown run from Tahj Brooks with just 19 seconds left, to secure a dramatic 23-22 upset over No. 11 Iowa State on Saturday. The Red Raiders’ late touchdown spoiled Iowa State’s bid for the best start in program history.
The Cyclones had just taken their first lead when Rocco Becht connected with Carson Brown for a 44-yard touchdown with 2:11 remaining. But Texas Tech responded with a decisive drive that ended in Brooks’s touchdown, which propelled the Red Raiders to bowl eligibility.
“I’m so proud of this football team,” Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire said. “It’s a huge win for us because we get bowl eligible and it keeps us in the mix.”
Brooks was a workhorse, rushing 25 times for 122 yards, surpassing the 4,000-yard career mark. This game marked his ninth consecutive game with over 100 rushing yards.
“He’s one of the players I have the utmost respect for,” Iowa State coach Matt Campbell said. “I think he’s one of the great players in this conference, so a lot of praise to him for sure.”
With the win, Texas Tech (6-3, 4-2 Big 12) rebounded after back-to-back losses to Baylor and TCU. Iowa State (7-1, 4-1), seeking its first 8-0 start, missed multiple opportunities to secure the win.
Becht threw for 315 yards and two touchdowns, with Jayden Higgins catching 10 passes for 140 yards. But after the game, Becht acknowledged the team’s struggles. “We deserve this loss because we didn’t play to our standards,” he said.
Morton, returning after a shoulder injury in last week’s game against TCU, completed 21 of 40 passes for 237 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. The Red Raiders fought through three false starts on their final drive, with Morton converting a crucial fourth-and-7 by finding Josh Kelly for 8 yards. Brooks then took a direct snap for the game-winning touchdown, sealing Texas Tech’s upset win.
Up Next:
Texas Tech: Plays No. 23 Colorado next Saturday at home.
Iowa State: Visits Kansas next Saturday.
