Texas Tech overcame a slow offensive start and used turnovers and a dominant second half to defeat Colorado 29-7, keeping the Red Raiders undefeated at 5-0.
Colorado opened with an inventive two-quarterback look before Isaac Wilson took control of the offense. Wilson quickly connected with Quinton Gibson for a 30-yard gain and continued moving the Buffaloes downfield through the air. On third-and-six, he found tight end Charlie Williams for a touchdown, completing an impressive opening drive and giving Colorado the early lead.
Texas Tech answered with a 52-yard field goal from Stone Harrington, but much of the first half belonged to the defenses. Colorado moved the ball effectively at times but missed a 29-yard field goal, then later attempted a fake punt that Texas Tech stopped near midfield.
The Buffaloes defense responded with a stand of its own. Facing fourth-and-inches, Texas Tech gave the ball to running back Quinten Joiner on a direct snap, but Colorado stopped him short and took possession.
Neither team could consistently turn opportunities into points. Texas Tech missed a 51-yard field goal, while Colorado later came up empty on a 52-yard attempt. The Buffaloes' early 7-3 advantage remained intact as both teams struggled to finish drives.
The game began changing when Colorado tried to create something with receiver JoJo Williams, a former high school quarterback. His pass toward the sideline was intercepted, giving Texas Tech another opportunity. The Red Raiders converted a field goal to narrow the margin.
Turnovers became an even larger factor after halftime.
Wilson moved Colorado near midfield before throwing another interception, this time to Malik Esquerra. Texas Tech took advantage, with Jacobe Williams breaking a 35-yard run before quarterback Will Hammond found Terrance Carter Jr. in the end zone. The touchdown gave the Red Raiders their first lead of the night.
Colorado's problems continued when Wilson attempted to make a play while rolling to his right and was intercepted again. Texas Tech used the resulting possession to add another field goal, extending its advantage.
The decisive blow came near Colorado's own goal line. Under pressure, Wilson threw another interception in the end zone, and Texas Tech returned it for a touchdown. What had been a close defensive game was suddenly firmly under the Red Raiders' control.
Texas Tech wasn't finished. Joiner later bounced through tackles for another touchdown as the Red Raiders completed a second-half stretch in which their defense repeatedly created short fields and their offense finally began converting them into points.
Colorado had opportunities to make the game considerably closer, particularly during a first half in which its defense kept Texas Tech under control. But missed kicks and turnovers gradually changed the game.
Texas Tech scored 22 consecutive points after halftime and ran out the clock on a 29-7 victory, improving to 5-0 and maintaining its undefeated start to the season.
