Reminiscent of Michael Crabtree 10 Years Ago, Lil’Jordan Humphrey Catches Game-Winning Touchdown Pass to Beat Texas Tech
The fans who stuck around for all of Saturday's nighttime game between Texas Tech and Texas game at Jones AT&T Stadium were treated to a game they won't soon forget.
Texas Tech (5-5, 3-4) came back from a 17-point deficit in the fourth quarter, but ultimately fell to no. 15 Texas (7-3, 5-2) by a 41-34 score. Longhorns quarterback Sam Ehlinger had career-highs for single-game passing yards (312) and single-game passing touchdowns (four). Ehlinger also extended his streak of Big 12 Conference game pass attempts without an interception, which is now 380.
A large portion of the 60,454 fans in attendance cleared out late during the third quarter when Texas took a 27-10 lead over Texas Tech. However, Texas Tech, through a defensive stop and an onside kick, scored 17 consecutive points in the fourth quarter to tie the game at 34.
Check out photos from the game by Paul Roberts:
Texas Tech Football vs Texas- 2018
Jett Duffey threw two touchdown passes in the fourth quarter -- one to T.J. Vasher, and another to Antoine Wesley.
With 1:45 left in the fourth quarter, the Longhorns took a fair catch on the kickoff after the Red Raiders' game-tying score. Starting at their own 25-yard line, it was apparent the Longhorns were playing for the win, rather than going to overtime.
The Texas Tech defense was unable to stop Sam Ehlinger on the Longhorns' final drive of the game. Ehlinger either ran the ball, or completed passes, to keep Texas moving down the field. On 2nd & 10 at the Texas Tech 41-yard line, Ehlinger again took to the ground, finding a soft spot in the Red Raiders defense to run 12 yards to the 29-yard line.
Then, on the following play, Ehlinger took a snap in a shotgun formation, and found Lil'Jordan Humphrey in one-on-one coverage by the 2-yard line. Humphrey was draped by the 6-foot-tall Demarcus Fields, but Fields was unable to reach high enough up to prevent Humphrey from catching the pass. After catching the ball, Humphrey made a single move to get away from Fields and lunge into the end zone.
The 29-yard touchdown reception by Humphrey, with 21-seconds to play, looked similar to Michael Crabtree's game-winning touchdown catch in 2008 against the Longhorns.
Duffey went 37/47 passing for 444 yards with four touchdowns and one interception. Duffey also rushed the ball 17 times for 80 yards. Duffey got the start against the Longhorns after Alan Bowman didn't even suit up for the game. During last week's game against Oklahoma, Bowman reaggravated a partially collapsed lung injury.
During the postgame press conference Texas Tech head coach Kliff Kingsbury voiced his displeasure in a hit against Duffey not being called targeting during the second half.
Next Saturday, Texas Tech is on the road at Kansas State. Kickoff time is 2:30 p.m. Texas Tech will have to win one of their final two games to guarantee a bowl berth.
Be sure to listen to 1340 The Fan's Countdown to Kickoff show, with Rob Breaux, Karson Robinson and Robert Wright from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on the free 1340 The Fan app and on air.
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