Morton, Brooks lead Texas Tech to a 56-48 win, keep OSU winless in Big 12 play

By HALLIE HART Associated Press

STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) — Behren Morton and Tahj Brooks each accounted for four touchdowns while Jacob Rodriguez made two key defensive plays to secure Texas Tech’s 56-48 victory against Oklahoma State on Saturday.

The Red Raiders (7-4, 5-3 Big 12) bounced back from their previous loss to Colorado, while Oklahoma State (3-8, 0-8) extended its losing streak to eight games, remaining the Big 12’s lone team without a conference win. The Cowboys’ season finale at No. 16 Colorado on Friday is their last chance to avoid going winless in conference play for the first time under coach Mike Gundy.

On Senior Day in Boone Pickens Stadium, a freshman tried to lift the Cowboys out of their rut. Maealiuaki Smith, who took over for Alan Bowman, invigorated the offense during his first career start, completing 26 of 36 passes for 326 yards with two touchdowns and an interception.

Texas Tech amassed 543 yards of offense while OSU had 508.

Morton was 37-of-53 passing for 404 yards and threw four touchdowns. Brooks had 28 carries for 133 yards and three touchdowns and caught nine passes for 65 yards and a touchdown.

After multiple ties, Texas Tech claimed the lead for good when Brooks ran for a 1-yard touchdown with 6:12 left, capitalizing on ideal field position from Drae McCray’s 45-yard kick return. Rodriguez spoiled OSU’s chance to tie the game, recovering a fumble in the end zone as Texas Tech extended its lead to 56-42. Then Rodriguez sealed the win with his 9-yard interception on the final drive.

Ollie Gordon II boosted the Cowboys with 15 carries for a season-high 156 yards rushing and three touchdowns, three receptions for 30 yards, and a 27-yard pass to Rashod Owens.

Woes and Blunders
In the third quarter, Logan Ward’s 42-yard field-goal attempt for Oklahoma State bounced off the left upright, and Trevon McAlpine blocked Ward’s last PAT attempt in the fourth. … A botched kickoff led to a Texas Tech touchdown in the third quarter.

Next Season Return
Asked whether he will return next year to OSU next season despite the Cowboys’ first eight-loss season in his 20 seasons at the helm, coach Mike Gundy said he is motivated to keep coaching the Cowboys. “I have as much energy now as I did when I took this job,” Gundy said. “And most of you guys think I’m crazy, which I am. … And even though we’re in a really tough situation here that we haven’t been in 18 years, I’m excited to come to work tomorrow and try to find a way to beat Colorado.”

The Takeaway
Despite preseason expectations of Big 12 title contention, the Cowboys’ miserable season continued to slide downhill. OSU failed to win on Senior Day, and its hopes of managing one conference win are dwindling. The Cowboys need to defeat Colorado in Boulder to avoid finishing the season as the only Big 12 team without a conference win. The last time OSU finished with a winless conference record was in 1994 when Pat Jones was coaching the Cowboys in the Big 8.

Up Next
Oklahoma State plays at No. 16 Colorado on Friday.