On the Gridiron

After a win over a top 25 team, Texas Tech stayed at #13 in the AP Top 25, which makes no sense to me, but whatever.

Lubbock Avalanche-Journal’s Don Williams: Texas Tech football’s strong second halves will wear well | Williams

Four times this year, though, Tech has trailed at halftime or later and rallied to win. The latest example came Saturday, Oct. 31, when the 14th-ranked Red Raiders went back and forth with No. 21 Arizona, the lead changing hands three times, and prevailed 34-26.

John Curry never soured on the outlook.

“I’ve always thought, ‘We have a chance to win this game,’ ” the Tech linebacker said, speaking of the season in general. ” … No matter what’s been going on throughout the entire game, we can always shake off, get to what’s next. We may give up a few big plays, maybe get schemed up a couple times or someone gets beat, but we’re going to get to what’s next.”

Lubbock Avalanche-Journal’s Nathan Giese: J’Koby Williams helps Texas Tech football avoid scary hours in Arizona triumph

Texas Tech has J’Koby Williams and the defense to thank for this one. Williams has been the catalyst for the Red Raider offense this season. With Thomas Castellanos getting the start at quarterback over Will Hammond, Arizona had to contend with both Castellanos and Williams as rushing threats, something the Wildcats were unable to do as both exceeded 100 rushing yards and Williams (175 yards) provided the necessary cushion, taking a 3rd-and-short run 64 yards into the end zone to make it an 11-point game late.

Lubbock Avalanche-Journal’s Don Williams: Texas Tech football report card | What’s a 328-yard rushing output worth?

Offense: C
It’s no coincidence that a full game of Thomas Castellanos led to Tech’s best rushing output of the season: 328 yards. Touchdown throws to Terrance Carter Jr. and Kenny Johnson somewhat mitigated 46% passing.

Red Raider Sports’ Mason Turnbow: Austin Romaine and John Curry lead Texas Tech defense in win over Arizona

Texas Tech LB Austin Romaine finished the game with 14 total tackles 0.5 sack and 0.5 TFL. Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire mentioned in his post game press conference that was Austin’s best game so far in a Red Raider uniform. McGuire mentioned he was going to find out what he ate before the game and make him eat that every game.

Austin Romaine: “Yeah, I mean, I had a pretty good performance down the stat sheet, but a lot of credit to the defensive line and the other backers and Coach Wood just for the game plan. So just come out there, execute the game plan, fly around was all my mentality was.”