5 takeaways from Texas Tech football's home win over Cincinnati
Tahj Brooks ran like a man possessed as the Texas Tech football team held on for a 44-41 win over Cincinnati on Saturday night in Jones AT&T Stadium.
The Red Raiders overcame another bad night from its pass defense thanks to Brooks carving out 172 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Texas Tech (4-1, 2-0) devised the key stop in the final two minutes and preserved the win.
Defense optional in first half for Texas Tech football, Cincinnati
Neither team was able to get much momentum on defense in the first half. There was one punt in the half, which Josh Kelly fumbled away and led to a field goal for Cincinnati. The Red Raiders had 295 yards of total offense while the Bearcats had 235.
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Run defense remains solid for Texas Tech
Cincinnati's leading rusher Corey Kiner got three carries for nine yards on his team's first drive but did not return for the rest of the game. At intermission, the Bearcats managed just 46 total rushing yards on 17 attempts, an average of 2.7 yards per carry.
This falls in line with Tech's ability to shut down opposing running backs. Quarterback Brendan Sorsby had 22 of those carries while Cincinnati running backs were held to 2 yards per tote in the first half.
Momentum shift early in second half
After being tied 24-all through two quarters, Brendan Jordan forced a fumble and Jacob Rodriguez recovered it on Cincinnati's possession to open the second half. Tahj Brooks found the end zone to put the Red Raiders up 31-24. This came after the Bearcats missed a field goal just before halftime.
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A.J. McCarty's pick-six turns tide
Cincinnati converted a 4th-and-2 from its own 33 to start the fourth but Tech brought the pressure later in the drive, leading A.J. McCarty to a 51-yard interception return for a touchdown, extending Tech's lead to 41-27 early in the final frame.
By a hair
Cincinnati had one last chance to tie the game but a few 10-second runoffs benefitted the Red Raiders. Nathan Hawks' 51-yard field goal attempt as time expired was off the mark.
This story was updated because an earlier version included an inaccurate headline.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: What stood out in Texas Tech football's win over Cincinnati?
