College Sports

Morton, Brooks lift Texas Tech over West Virginia 48-10

Posted October 22, 2022 7:00 am

The Associated Press

Texas Tech's Behren Morton (2) passes the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against West Virginia, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, in Lubbock, Texas. (AP Photo/Brad Tollefson) The Associated Press

LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) - Behren Morton threw two touchdown passes, Tahj Brooks ran for two scores and Texas Tech used a fast start to beat West Virginia 48-10 on Saturday.

Coming off a bye week and playing in Lubbock for the first time in nearly a month, the Red Raiders (4-3, 2-2 Big 12) scored 17 points off of turnovers, broke a two-game losing streak and improved to 3-0 at home.

Texas Tech seized control with touchdowns on its first two drives and the Red Raiders' fast-tempo offense kept West Virginia off balance. Texas Tech surpassed 100 offensive plays, including 55 in the first half when it converted six of seven times on fourth down.

Brooks had 17 carries for a season-high 107 yards, including first-quarter TD runs of 1 and 19 yards.

Morton, a redshirt freshman, was solid again in his second straight start. He completed 28 of 45 passes for 325 yards after throwing for 379 two weeks ago in a loss at No. 11 Oklahoma State.

After Texas Tech's Malik Dunlap intercepted an underthrown ball on West Virginia's first drive of the third quarter, the Red Raiders' Xavier White caught a pass from Morton and weaved 37 yards through traffic for a 55-yard touchdown.

White later had a 27-yard catch along the sideline to set up Morton's 12-yard scoring toss to Loic Fouonji for a 31-3 lead. White had eight catches for a career-high 139 yards.

Texas Tech entered the game with one of the worst turnover margins in the Bowl Subdivision. The Red Raiders intercepted three passes and recovered a CJ Donaldson fumble near midfield. After the fumble recovery, SaRodorick Thompson scored on a 13-yard run for a 38-10 lead to start the fourth.

Texas Tech kicked a short field goal after JT Daniels' career-high third interception. Daniels finished 23 of 36 for 194 yards for the Mountaineers (3-4, 1-3).

It marked the fifth road loss of at least 25 points for West Virginia under fourth-year coach Neal Brown.

THE TAKEAWAY

West Virginia: Injuries on offense hampered the Mountaineers. Starting left guard James Gmiter sat out and left tackle Wyatt Milum left the game with a lower leg injury in the third quarter. Running backs Justin Johnson and Tony Mathis sat out the second half. The Mountaineers fell to 1-3 on the road and now must win three of their remaining five games to become bowl eligible.

Texas Tech: The Red Raiders beat West Virginia for the fourth straight meeting.

UP NEXT

West Virginia hosts No. 8 TCU next Saturday.

Texas Tech hosts Baylor next Saturday.

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Texas Tech's Tahj Brooks (28) runs to score a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against West Virginia, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, in Lubbock, Texas. (AP Photo/Brad Tollefson) The Associated Press

Texas Tech's Nehemiah Martinez I (20) is tackled by West Virginia's Aubrey Burks (2) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, in Lubbock, Texas. (AP Photo/Brad Tollefson) The Associated Press

Texas Tech's Jerand Bradley (9) catches the ball around West Virginia's Hershey McLaurin (13) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, in Lubbock, Texas. (AP Photo/Brad Tollefson) The Associated Press

West Virginia's Rashad Ajayi (4), left, and Marcis Floyd (24), right, tackle Texas Tech's Mason Tharp (80) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, in Lubbock, Texas. (AP Photo/Brad Tollefson) The Associated Press

West Virginia's JT Daniels (18) passes the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Texas Tech, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, in Lubbock, Texas. (AP Photo/Brad Tollefson) The Associated Press

Texas Tech's Matthew Young (33) raises his arms while running onto the field before an NCAA college football game against West Virginia, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, in Lubbock, Texas. (AP Photo/Brad Tollefson) The Associated Press

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