In the Texas Bowl on Wednesday night, Texas Tech's Tyler Shough put on an impressive performance, throwing for 242 yards and a touchdown while also running for two additional touchdowns. His exceptional play, which included a career-high 111 rushing yards, helped the Red Raiders (8-5) establish a commanding 26-7 halftime lead by accounting for three touchdowns in the first two quarters. Ole Miss' quarterback, Jaxson Dart, managed 361 passing yards with two touchdown passes and a rushing score. However, he struggled in the first half, throwing two interceptions and losing a fumble, which put the Rebels at a significant disadvantage.
This victory marked a significant achievement for Texas Tech, as it marked their first eight-win season since 2013. It also marked a successful debut for their first-year coach, Joey McGuire, who had recently signed a new six-year, $26.6 million contract.
Unfortunately, Ole Miss (8-5) continued its disappointing streak, losing their final four games, and five of their last six after starting the season 7-0. The Rebels had a rough game, committing five turnovers and eight penalties for 86 yards, and two of their defenders were ejected for targeting.
Despite a late comeback attempt by Ole Miss, resulting in two consecutive touchdowns that brought them to within 35-25 with three minutes remaining, they attempted an onside kick which Texas Tech recovered, extending the lead to 42-25. Texas Tech secured the win with a final score of 42-25.
The game saw several key moments, including Texas Tech's initial interception in the end zone, Ole Miss tying the score at 7-7, and Texas Tech's success in capitalizing on turnovers to build their lead.
Looking ahead, Texas Tech appears to be on an upward trajectory under Coach McGuire, with their season ending on a four-game winning streak. Ole Miss, on the other hand, will need to regroup and improve their performance to bounce back from their struggles at the end of the season. Both teams paid tribute to former coach Mike Leach, who passed away recently, with unique helmet decals, honoring his contributions to their programs.
The future holds questions about whether Tyler Shough will return for another season at Texas Tech and how Ole Miss will build on their strong running game led by Quinshon Judkins to aim for a more successful season next year.
