Early Ground Game Sets Tone
Texas Tech established control from the opening moments, leveraging a potent rushing attack to build an insurmountable lead early against Abilene Christian. The Red Raiders (1-0) scored first when Quinten Joyner broke loose for a 14-yard touchdown run, capped by a Stone Harrington extra point, giving Lubbock a 7-0 advantage.
The momentum continued into the second scoring play of the half as J'Koby Williams added another rushing touchdown. Williams finished with 13 carries for 71 yards and his first score of the season. A subsequent 23-yard field goal by Harrington extended the Tech lead to 14-0 before Abilene Christian could respond.
Wildcats Find Some Rhythm in Second Half
Abilene Christian (0-2) finally got on the board late in the first half when Brandon Perez kicked a 41-yard field goal, making the score 14-3 at halftime. The Wildcats' offense struggled to maintain consistency, with quarterback John David Black completing just 18 of 32 passes for 119 yards and throwing one interception.
The third quarter saw Texas Tech's defense clamp down, forcing a scoreless period for both sides except for Harrington’s three consecutive field goals. The kicker connected from 28, 33, and 45 yards out, pushing the margin to 26-3 by the end of the frame. This defensive rigidity kept Abilene Christian's offense in check, limiting their ability to mount a serious comeback.
