Highlights, key plays and photos from BYU’s victory over Texas Tech

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.

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.

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.

Lassiter helped set up the seven play, 81-yard drive with a one-handed, 32-yard reception earlier in the possession.

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.

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.

The drive was sparked by a 55-yard run from LJ Martin, the longest run of the season for the Cougars.

Pregame prep

Here are a few stories to get you ready for BYU’s game against Texas Tech.

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