WVU Football
By the Numbers: Mountaineers Lose Shootout to Texas Tech 53-48
The West Virginia Mountaineers fell to the Texas Tech Red Raiders 53-48 in a wild shootout at Galaxy Stadium in Lubbock, Texas, on November 8, 2026.
West Virginia established a 17-14 first-quarter lead behind J. Williams’ 75-yard touchdown run. Texas Tech answered by erupting for 27 points in the second quarter, taking a commanding 41-27 halftime advantage. Refusing to fold, the Mountaineers responded brilliantly in the third. West Virginia ripped off 21 unanswered points—fueled by a Michael Hawkins Jr. scramble and two rushing scores—to stun the home crowd and reclaim a 48-41 lead entering the fourth quarter.
Unfortunately, the Red Raiders rallied late. A field goal cut the deficit to four before T. Castellanos connected with K. Johnson for a five-yard, go-ahead touchdown with just 2:51 remaining. A late safety on a Hawkins sack sealed West Virginia’s fate. Despite the loss, the Mountaineer offense executed flawlessly when it mattered most, converting a perfect 7-for-7 on red-zone opportunities in a turnover-free game. Ultimately, the defense simply could not string together enough fourth-quarter stops.
Box Score: WVU vs. Texas Tech
Texas Tech’s massive offensive volume ultimately overwhelmed West Virginia in a remarkably balanced, turnover-free track meet.
| Statistic | West Virginia (Away) | Texas Tech (Home) |
|---|---|---|
| Points | 48 | 53 |
| Total Yards | 582 | 638 |
| Passing Yards (C/A) | 303 (11/16) | 362 (18/28) |
| Rushing Yards (Att) | 279 (59) | 276 (53) |
| Yards Per Play | 7.8 | 7.9 |
| First Downs | 18 | 26 |
| Third-Down Conversions | 7-15 | 8-16 |
| Fourth-Down Conversions | 0-2 | 1-2 |
| Red-Zone Efficiency | 7-7 | 4-5 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Sacks Allowed | 3 | 3 |
| Penalties-Yards | 9-75 | 8-49 |
| Time of Possession | 29:45 | 30:15 |
The Red Raiders generated a staggering 638 total yards and 26 first downs, constantly keeping the Mountaineers’ defense on its heels. While West Virginia was perfect in the red zone and averaged a potent 7.8 yards per play, their inability to convert on fourth down proved costly. Texas Tech’s slight edge in passing volume and time of possession made the final difference.
WVU Offensive Leaders
West Virginia’s offense was powered by a dynamic blend of explosive downfield passing and a relentless rushing attack. Quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. orchestrated the unit with precision, utilizing his dual-threat capabilities to repeatedly keep the defense guessing.
| Player | Position | Key Stat Line |
|---|---|---|
| Michael Hawkins Jr. | QB | 11/16, 303 Pass Yds, 1 TD, 0 INT, 3 Sacks; 19 Rush, 88 Yds, 3 TD |
| Cam Cook | RB | 23 Rush, 149 Yds, 6.5 YPC, 38 Lng, 1 TD |
| Taron Francis | WR | 3 Rec, 169 Yds, 56.3 YPC, 75 Lng, 1 TD |
Hawkins was highly efficient through the air and served as a devastating runner, punching in three rushing touchdowns. Running back Cam Cook consistently gashed the front seven for 6.5 yards per carry. Meanwhile, wideout Taron Francis provided a critical vertical threat, averaging a massive 56.3 yards per catch alongside a 75-yard scoring grab. Field position and scoring efficiency were also buoyed by special teams, as safety Matt Sieg flipped the field with a 74-yard punt return and kicker Jack Cassidy nailed all eight of his kicks.
WVU Defensive Leaders
Despite surrendering a massive amount of yardage, the West Virginia defense battled valiantly against a relentless offensive pace. Several key playmakers fought to contain Texas Tech’s explosive attack throughout the night.
| Player | Position | Tackles (Solo/Ast) | TFL/Sacks | Takeaways |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kameron Reddic | SAF | 11 (6/5) | 0.0/0.0 | 0 |
| Jason Hall Jr. | LB | 8 (5/3) | 1.0/1.0 | 0 |
| Isaiah Patterson | LB | 8 (4/4) | 0.0/0.0 | 0 |
| KJ Henson | DL | 4 (4/0) | 2.0/1.0 | 0 |
Safety Kameron Reddic anchored the secondary with a team-high 11 total tackles. In the front seven, linebacker Jason Hall Jr. and defensive lineman KJ Henson both broke through to register sacks, with Henson adding two tackles for loss. However, the Mountaineers failed to force a single turnover and struggled to generate consistent backfield pressure. Ultimately, West Virginia’s defense was simply worn down by the sheer volume of Texas Tech’s balanced attack, allowing too many sustained drives in the decisive final frame.
Where the Record Stands
Following the defeat, the West Virginia Mountaineers fall to 5-4 overall and 2-4 in Big 12 conference play. The road loss saddles the program with a one-game losing streak and drops their away record to 1-2 on the season. West Virginia now sits tied for 10th place in the crowded Big 12 standings alongside Cincinnati, TCU, and Iowa State. Unsurprisingly, neither the Mountaineers nor the Red Raiders appear in the AP, Coaches, or College Football Playoff polls for Week 11.
Looking Ahead to Next Week
The Mountaineers will look to bounce back at home when they host the Kansas Jayhawks on Saturday, November 14, at 1:00 p.m. ET. The matchup takes place at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium in Morgantown. Kansas arrives with a 3-6 overall record, having dropped four of their last five contests, including a narrow 33-32 heartbreak against UCF.
For West Virginia, this tilt offers a critical opportunity to tighten a defense that just surrendered 638 total yards in Lubbock. Offensively, the Mountaineers must simply maintain their flawless red-zone execution. A decisive home victory against the Jayhawks is essential to reignite their push for postseason contention.
