In a thrilling Liberty Bowl showdown, the Texas Tech Red Raiders secured an impressive 34-7 victory over Mississippi State, marking a significant milestone for the team. Donovan Smith, the Red Raiders' quarterback, played a pivotal role, throwing for 252 yards and a touchdown while also adding a rushing score to his impressive performance. Meanwhile, running backs Tahj Brooks and SaRodorick Thompson showcased their skills by collectively amassing 187 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
For Texas Tech (7-6), this win marked a significant achievement as they finished the season with a winning record for the first time since 2015. The Red Raiders had also returned to the bowl scene after a brief hiatus, last appearing in a bowl game in 2017.
On the other side of the field, Mississippi State (7-6) faced disappointment in Coach Mike Leach's first encounter with his former program, Texas Tech, where he had a successful stint from 2000 to 2009. Despite his efforts, Leach was unable to become the first Bulldogs coach to conclude two consecutive seasons with a bowl victory. Mississippi State had a solid bowl tradition, having participated in their 12th straight bowl game.
In an interesting twist, Red Raiders' interim coach Sonny Cumbie, a former player at Texas Tech under Leach, guided the team to a 2-3 record during his five-game tenure. Cumbie, who was about to embark on a new coaching journey at Louisiana Tech, took over the reins from Matt Wells in October.
Reflecting on the victory, Coach Cumbie shared, "It's a sense of relief and accomplishment. In these bowl games, the most excited team that shows up is the one that comes out on top. That's what this team did."
The game's turning point was the Red Raiders' ability to establish a dominant run game, racking up an impressive 260 rushing yards against a Mississippi State defense that had allowed only 101 yards per game on the ground prior to the matchup.
Coach Cumbie commented on the game plan, saying, "Their defensive front is very good. We felt with some of our run schemes and some of our motions, we would be able to hit some creases. And our running backs broke some tackles. They were a good opponent, but I did feel we'd have the ability to run the football."
While Coach Leach's high-octane offense struggled to gain momentum against the Red Raiders, the Southeastern Conference (SEC) endured a tough postseason, ending with a 0-4 record in bowl games. The Bulldogs were held scoreless in the second half, concluding the game with 344 yards, a significant 105 yards below their season average. Mississippi State faced additional challenges as they were missing three offensive linemen, including All-SEC left tackle Charles Cross.
Coach Leach acknowledged his team's inconsistency, stating, "I didn't think we were consistent. We didn't get out of the blocks or get into any kind of rhythm. They deserve credit for preparing the way they did and playing the way they did."
The Red Raiders put the game out of reach with two crucial third-quarter touchdowns. Donovan Smith orchestrated a 95-yard drive, their second-longest of the season, capping it with a 1-yard rushing touchdown. Smith, the game's MVP, showcased his skills by completing passes of 39 and 52 yards during the drive. He later added a 14-yard touchdown pass to J.J. Sparkman with just 2 seconds remaining in the quarter. SaRodorick Thompson contributed with a 1-yard touchdown run, sealing a 34-7 victory in the final quarter.
Texas Tech set the tone early in the game, amassing 145 rushing yards in the first quarter and taking a commanding 10-0 lead. The Red Raiders displayed their physical prowess, embarking on a 75-yard, all-rushing opening possession that culminated in a 19-yard touchdown run by Tahj Brooks.
Reflecting on the impressive start, Smith said, "I felt that ignited us. We knew we had to come out and score."
The first quarter also saw the Red Raiders add a 31-yard field goal by Jonathan Garibay.
Mississippi State, however, responded with a well-executed drive, as Will Rogers found Jo'quavious Marks for a 17-yard touchdown pass, reducing the gap to 10-7.
In the closing moments of the first half, a Bulldogs' mishandled punt return gave the Red Raiders a chance to extend their lead. Jake Bishop recovered the fumbled ball at the Bulldogs' 14-yard line, leading to a 26-yard field goal by Garibay and a 13-7 halftime lead for Texas Tech.
The Red Raiders' defense was a force to be reckoned with, with defensive lineman Tyree Wilson earning the game's most outstanding defensive player award. Wilson's back-to-back tackles for loss played a crucial role in shutting down Mississippi State's offense. His key sacks helped Texas Tech pull away with a commanding 27-7 lead.
As we look ahead to the next season, Mississippi State will enter 2022 with a promising roster, including several returning young talents. Quarterback Will Rogers, who set the school's single-season passing record, will continue to lead the Bulldogs.
On the other side, Texas Tech will start a new chapter under the leadership of former Baylor associate head coach Joey McGuire, bringing fresh energy and ideas to the Red Raiders' program. McGuire's extensive experience, including successful stints at the high school level, is sure to bring excitement and potential success to Texas Tech in the upcoming season.
