Highlights, key plays and photos from BYU’s victory over Texas Tech
The Cougars forced five turnovers and built a 20-point lead before holding off the Red Raiders
View Comments
Share
Brigham Young Cougars safety Crew Wakley (38) reacts to a Texas Tech Red Raiders tackle for loss in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
The Deseret News is providing live coverage of Saturday’s game between BYU and Texas Tech. Check back for updates throughout the game.
Final score
BYU 27, Texas Tech 14
The Cougars grounded out their second Big 12 Conference win of the season by forcing turnovers — five in total — and putting up enough offense to get the victory.
Special Collector's Issue: "1984: The Year BYU was Second to None"
Get an inclusive look inside BYU Football's 1984 National Championship season.
BYU bounced back well enough after a demoralizing loss last week to TCU, and with the win, the Cougars are now just one victory away from bowl eligibility.
BYU, now 5-2 on the season and 2-2 in Big 12 play, put up 277 yards of total offense, while Texas Tech had 389.
Fourth quarter
BYU 27, Texas Tech 14
5:48 — Ethan Slade intercepted Jake Strong for BYU’s fifth turnover forced on the night — a timely takeaway considering Texas Tech had just scored and was on the move again.
8:41 — Texas Tech pulled within two scores on a 1-yard touchdown run from Tahj Brooks, ending a 14-play, 87-yard drive in the end zone. BYU 27, Texas Tech 14.
The drive was extended by a fourth-and-4 conversion, when Jake Strong completed a 36-yard pass to Jordan Brown to get the Red Raiders to the BYU 21.
Third quarter
BYU 27, Texas Tech 7
1:19 — Will Ferrin nailed his second field goal of the night — this one from 41 yards out — and BYU capitalized on Texas Tech’s fourth turnover of the night.
The Cougars started the drive at the Red Raiders 44 after a fumble recovery on a punt return, forced by Tyler Batty.
5:33 — BYU came up with a huge fourth-down stop near midfield, as Ethan Slade stepped in front of a Jake Strong pass on fourth-and-3 and knocked it down.
The Cougars will start this drive at the Texas Tech 47, after both teams started the third quarter with a pair of punts.
Halftime
BYU 24, Texas Tech 7
The Cougars have forced three turnovers and take a convincing lead into the half.
BYU has a pair of touchdown drives offensively — including on the game’s opening possession — and have never trailed, after putting up 199 yards of total offense in the first half.
Defensively, the Cougars have forced true freshman QB Jake Strong into some mistakes, including two interceptions in the final minutes of the first half, to go along with Eddie Heckard’s fumble recovery for a touchdown.
1 of 32
Brigham Young Cougars safety Ethan Slade (26) celebrates his interception against the Texas Tech Red Raiders in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. BYU won 27-14. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
2 of 32
Brigham Young Cougars defensive end Tyler Batty (92) gestures to the fans to cheer louder against the Texas Tech Red Raiders in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. BYU won 27-14. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
3 of 32
Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Chase Roberts (2) celebrates his touchdown with quarterback Kedon Slovis (10) against the Texas Tech Red Raiders in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. BYU won 27-14. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
4 of 32
Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Darius Lassiter (5) makes a one-handed catch against the Texas Tech Red Raiders in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. BYU won 27-14. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
5 of 32
Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Darius Lassiter (5) warms up prior to the game with the Texas Tech Red Raiders in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
6 of 32
Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Kedon Slovis (10) warms up prior to the game with the Texas Tech Red Raiders in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
7 of 32
BYU fan Brock Mildon watches warmups prior to the game with the Texas Tech Red Raiders in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
8 of 32
Brigham Young Cougars head coach Kalani Sitake reacts to a BYU interception against the Texas Tech Red Raiders in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
9 of 32
Brigham Young Cougars safety Crew Wakley (38) reacts to a Texas Tech Red Raiders tackle for loss in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
10 of 32
Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Darius Lassiter (5) celebrates his touchdown with Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Kedon Slovis (10) in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
11 of 32
Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Darius Lassiter (5) makes a one handed catch against the Texas Tech Red Raiders in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
12 of 32
Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Chase Roberts (2) can't come up with the catch against the Texas Tech Red Raiders in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. BYU won 27-14. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
13 of 32
Brigham Young Cougars cornerback Eddie Heckard (5) recovers a fumble for a touchdown against the Texas Tech Red Raiders in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. BYU won 27-14. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
14 of 32
Brigham Young Cougars cornerback Jakob Robinson (0) celebrates an interception against the Texas Tech Red Raiders in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. BYU won 27-14. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
15 of 32
Brigham Young Cougars head coach Kalani Sitake celebrates after an interception against the Texas Tech Red Raiders in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. BYU won 27-14. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
16 of 32
Brigham Young Cougars running back Deion Smith (20) runs against the Texas Tech Red Raiders in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. BYU won 27-14. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
17 of 32
Brigham Young Cougars fans cheer against the Texas Tech Red Raiders in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. BYU won 27-14. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
18 of 32
Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Kedon Slovis (10) throws a touchdown against the Texas Tech Red Raiders in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. BYU won 27-14. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
19 of 32
Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Kedon Slovis (10) throws against the Texas Tech Red Raiders in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. BYU won 27-14. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
20 of 32
Brigham Young Cougars offensive lineman Connor Pay (70) lines up against the Texas Tech Red Raiders in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. BYU won 27-14. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
21 of 32
The Brigham Young Cougars defense tackles Texas Tech Red Raiders running back Tahj Brooks (28) in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. BYU won 27-14. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
22 of 32
Brigham Young Cougars linebacker AJ Vongphachanh (10) makes a diving tackle against the Texas Tech Red Raiders in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. BYU won 27-14. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
23 of 32
The Cougarettes perform in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. BYU won 27-14. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
24 of 32
Brigham Young Cougars safety Ethan Slade (26) celebrates his interception against the Texas Tech Red Raiders in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. BYU won 27-14. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
25 of 32
Brigham Young Cougars running back Aidan Robbins (3) runs against the Texas Tech Red Raiders in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. BYU won 27-14. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
26 of 32
Brigham Young Cougars running back Aidan Robbins (3) runs against the Texas Tech Red Raiders in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. BYU won 27-14. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
27 of 32
Brigham Young Cougars punter Ryan Rehkow (24) punts against the Texas Tech Red Raiders in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. BYU won 27-14. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
28 of 32
Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Darius Lassiter (5) can't complete the catch against Texas Tech Red Raiders defensive back Dadrion Taylor-Demerson (1) in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. BYU won 27-14. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
29 of 32
Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Darius Lassiter (5) is held and can't complete a catch against Texas Tech Red Raiders defensive back C.J. Baskerville (9) in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. BYU won 27-14. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
30 of 32
A Brigham Young Cougars fan participates during a timeout in a game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. BYU won 27-14. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
31 of 32
Brigham Young Cougars defender Ryan Rehkow (24) recovers a fumble against the Texas Tech Red Raiders in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. BYU won 27-14. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
32 of 32
Brigham Young Cougars cornerback Eddie Heckard (5) runs the ball after his interception against the Texas Tech Red Raiders in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. BYU won 27-14. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
Second quarter
BYU 24, Texas Tech 7
1:00 — The Cougars turned the Red Raiders’ second turnover of the day into points, as Will Ferrin hit a 35-yard field goal. BYU 24, Texas Tech 7.
This came after Eddie Heckard intercepted a pass tipped by Crew Wakley and returned it 38 yards to the Texas Tech 40.
6:11 — BYU responded to Texas Tech’s first score with a touchdown of its own, as Darius Lassiter made the 4-yard TD catch on third-and-goal. BYU 21, Texas Tech 7.
9:19 — Texas Tech made BYU pay for poor pass coverage, throwing a 72-yard touchdown to Xavier White on a third-and-16 to cut the Red Raiders’ deficit in half. BYU 14, Texas Tech 7.
True freshman quarterback Jake Strong found White behind the coverage for the momentum-flipping score, giving Texas Tech the momentum after a slow start.
First quarter
BYU 14, Texas Tech 0
2:10 — The first turnover of the game led directly to points, as Eddie Heckard landed on a Texas Tech fumble in the end zone for a defensive touchdown. BYU 14, Texas Tech 0.
The Red Raiders were backed up to their own 10 to start the drive, after a holding penalty on a 37-yard punt return wiped out the big play.
Tahj Brooks fumbled on first down, and Heckard landed on the ball after it bounced its way back into the end zone.
CB Eddie Heckard recovers the fumble for a TD. The last time BYU recovered/returned a fumble for a TD was 2018 against Cal (CB Dayan Ghanwoloku) #BYUFootball
4:41 — The Red Raiders had a promising drive end up with a turnover on downs, after true freshman QB Jake Strong — making his first start — fumbled on fourth-and-inches inside the BYU 5 and was dropped for a 3-yard loss.
11:34 — BYU got off to a much better start this week, taking the opening possession for a touchdown on a 3-yard Chase Roberts catch on third-and-goal. BYU 7, Texas Tech 0.