MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Ta’Zhawn Henry and SaRodorick Thompson each had two short scoring runs, Jett Duffey moved Texas Tech’s offense at will in the first half and the Red Raiders used a fast start to beat West Virginia 38-17 on Saturday, handing the Mountaineers their fifth-straight loss.
Texas Tech (4-5, 2-4 Big 12) broke a three-game losing streak and now has a bowl bid to fight for with three games left, two of them at home.
West Virginia (3-6, 1-5) fell into a last-place tie with idle Kansas.
Texas Tech scored touchdowns on its first five drives and led 35-10 at halftime. Duffey accounted for 281 of Texas Tech’s 337 first-half yards. He took advantage of a decimated secondary with four first-half passes of 20 yards or longer, including an 81-yard scoring toss to a wide-open Dalton Rigdon.
“I thought Jett took care of the ball, took control of the ball, ran it well, didn’t take any major shots,” said Texas Tech coach Matt Wells. “He’s really done a nice job of protecting the ball in the pocket better.”
Duffey finished 24 of 34 for 354 yards.
“A frustrating day all the way around,” said West Virginia coach Neal Brown. “We got off to an extremely poor start defensively. We didn’t get pressure on the quarterback all day.”
The Red Raiders managed just a field goal after halftime and didn’t allow West Virginia to mount a comeback. The Mountaineers outgained Texas Tech 549-481 but squandered several scoring chances.
West Virginia turned the ball over on downs four times after incompletions deep in Texas Tech territory.
West Virginia’s Austin Kendall was intercepted twice, one of them into triple coverage that Texas Tech’s DeMarcus Fields caught in the end zone in the third quarter. Kendall also fumbled the ball away on fourth down as he was hit attempting a first-quarter pass.
Kendall finished 26 of 43 for 355 yards before being replaced late in the third quarter by Bowling Green transfer Jarret Doege, who made his season debut. Kendall and Doege each threw a touchdown pass.
West Virginia wide receiver Sam James caught 14 passes for 223 yards.
West Virginia’s losing streak is its worst since losing five straight in 2012.
The takeaway
Texas Tech: The Red Raiders appeared at ease in their impressive first-half performance and can become bowl eligible with wins in two of their final three games.
West Virginia: The Mountaineers looked out of sorts on defense and never recovered. West Virginia didn’t get a sack after recording eight against Baylor in its last game. The Mountaineers now must win all three remaining games to get to a bowl.
Targeting ejection
Texas Tech tight end Travis Koontz was ejected from the game for targeting for a third-quarter hit on safety Kerry Martin.
Trouble at home
West Virginia has lost three home games for the first time since the 2014 season, when it finished 7-6. The home finale is Nov. 23 against Oklahoma State. The last time the Mountaineers lost four times at home was in 1990, when it finished with five home losses.
Up next
Texas Tech: Hosts TCU next Saturday.
West Virginia: Plays at Kansas State next Saturday.
