No. 24 Texas Tech rolls previous Kent State, 62-14

LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) — Behren Morton threw for 3 touchdowns, massive defensive sort out Skyler Gill-Howard returned an interception 55 yards for a rating and No. 24 Texas Tech blew out one other overmatched opponent, beating Kent State 62-14 on Saturday.

Cameron Dickey had two dashing TDs and Reggie Virgil added two receiving scores because the Red Raiders (2-0) led 48-0 at halftime, one level higher than the margin on the break every week in the past in a 67-7 victory over FCS member Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

Morton began Saturday after leaving the victory over Pine Bluff within the second quarter with what coach Joey McGuire described as a hyperextended knee. Morton, who had been listed as questionable, was 18 of 26 for 258 yards whereas taking part in solely the primary half.

“I knew … he would probably fight me to play,” McGuire mentioned. “Behren is just a different cat. Really, the progression between Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, I knew he was going to play.”

Dru DeShields threw for a landing and ran for a rating within the fourth quarter for the Golden Flashes (1-1), who ended a 21-game dropping streak with a 21-17 victory over Merrimack of their opener.

Kent State had unfavorable complete yards till Gavin Garcia ran 38 yards on a display cross on its sixth possession early within the second quarter. Two performs later, Gill-Howard took his interception the opposite approach for a 38-0 lead.

The 290-pounder from Northern Illinois, a part of Texas Tech’s extremely touted switch class, made the catch behind the road of scrimmage and scored untouched after Lee Hunter utilized fast strain and A.J. Holmes Jr. tipped the cross

“I played running back in high school, a little bit of tight end, a little bit of receiver, back 50 pounds ago,” Gill-Howard mentioned. “Obviously, I’m not doing that anymore. Maybe we’ll see that in the future.”

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Kent State: The first illustration of futility got here on the primary punt when Jake Stoeckel had a knee on the bottom as he caught the snap. The second got here late within the first half when heart Dustyn Morell’s shotgun snap apparently slipped out of his hand and stayed on the bottom proper under him. Texas Tech’s Anthony Holmes Jr. recovered the fumble.

Texas Tech: The Red Raiders scored on their first 14 possessions of the season, all 11 in opposition to Arkansas-Pine Bluff and the primary three in opposition to Kent State. Jack Burgess’ first punt this 12 months got here late within the first quarter.

Third-string operating again Adam Hill was the primary to 100 yards dashing for the Red Raiders this season. He had 127 yards on 16 carries, all within the second half. In truth, all 206 of his yards have come after halftime, with the result not unsure. The blowouts have restricted the motion for the highest two backs, Dickey and J’Koby Williams.

Hill misplaced a fumble that arrange Kent State’s second TD.

“I know the first thing he’s going to say to me whenever I get a chance to see him is the fumble, we’ve got to have better ball security,” McGuire mentioned. “But I’m proud of him, and that’s been really big for him to get those reps.”

UP NEXT

Kent State: The Mid-American Conference opener in opposition to Buffalo at dwelling subsequent Saturday.

Texas Tech: Oregon State subsequent Saturday within the final of three straight at dwelling to begin the season.