MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — 4:58 p.m.: It’s a chilly fall day in Morgantown, but appears to be a beautiful day in Lubbock, Texas, albeit windy. The Mountaineers will face Texas Tech at 5:30 p.m. on ESPN2.
5:17 p.m.: This is a pretty big list of players out for Texas Tech as we approach kickoff: WR T.J. Vasher, IR KeSean Carter, IR Dalton Rigdon, IR McLane Mannix, DT Nick McCann. S Collins, RB Townsend, LB Matthews, TE Killian, OL Adams and Verhulst.
5:35 p.m.: And we’re off, WVU will take over at its own 25-yard line.
5:38 p.m.: Sean Ryan drops Jarret Doege’s first pass of the game, so a typical start for the Mountaineers as they go 3-and-out
5:43 p.m.: Henry Colobi looks impressive on Texas Tech’s opening drive — 10 plays, 69 yards and a touchdown, capped with a 1-yard Colombi run on fourth down. Red Raiders lead 7-0.
5:50 p.m.: Some razzle-dazzle for WVU as the Mountaineers march right down the field to tie it back up at 7-7 on a 3-yard Leddie Brown run. Sam James makes a great catch.
5:57 p.m.: The Mountaineers force a 3-and-out of their own and will take over at their own 20-yard line.
6:08 p.m.: After a failed play on fourth down, Texas Tech runs all over WVU’s defense as SaRodorick Thompson scores on a 48-yard touchdown run right up the middle. The Mountaineers came in with the top-ranked defense in the nation and are not playing like it early.
6:14 p.m.: The first quarter comes to an end with WVU’s defense struggling and Doege missing the mark on many deep throws. Texas Tech leads 13-7.
6:18 p.m.: Tony Fields was just ejected for targeting. The spirit of the targeting rule failed him there, but by the letter of the rule, the call is correct.
6:27 p.m.: Dreshun Miller with a big pass breakup on 4th down and WVU will get the ball back down six with 12 minutes to go in the first half.
6:31 p.m.: Evan Staley kicks a 41-yard field goal for WVU, but that drive should have ended with a touchdown. A holding call on right tackle John Hughes derails the drive for the Mountaineers.
6:48 p.m.: WVU’s defense cannot get off the field when it needs to. Colombi is making key play after key play, and the Mountaineers are already close to giving up their season average in the first half.
7:05 p.m.: On a drive people don’t seem to understand for some reason, WVU gets a 45-yard field goal from Evan Staley to pull within a score as both teams head to the locker room.
7:24 p.m.: Texas Tech will receive the opening kickoff and it will be a massive series for WVU’s defense.
7:33 p.m.: And it did! The defense forces a fumble on the first play of the second half and the Mountaineers score three plays later on a 2-yard throw from Doege to T.J. Banks.
7:40 p.m.: Not a good response though as the Red Raiders march down and score on nine plays to take the lead back at 27-20.
7:51 p.m.: WVU responds on a fun drive with the Mountaineers running a fake punt to Winston Wright, and Doege hitting Wright deep on the next play. Leddie Brown caps it off with a 1-yard run to even the score again at 27-27.
8:08 p.m.: A missed facemask call on Alec Sinkfield and WVU is forced to punt as we head to the fourth quarter. TTU has the ball 1st and 10 on its own end of the field.
8:29 p.m.: Sam James’ brutal season continues and he fumbles, leading to a Texas Tech touchdown to give the Red Raiders the lead at 34-27.
