No. 7 BYU vs No. 8 Texas Tech Game Recap:
This game was going to come down to one of two outcomes. A quarterback’s duel or a defensive struggle. It turned out to be a defensive struggle that Texas Tech won in an almost landslide.
Texas Tech held BYU to 3 of 14 on 3rd downs and 1 of 3 on 4th downs. BYU punted the ball seven times, two turnovers on downs, had an interception, a lost fumble and a missed field goal.
The most intriguing aspect of this game going in was the quarterback matchup that had freshman Bear Bachmeier going up against senior Behren Morton. Their numbers were very similar. However, the No. 1 ranked rush defense of Texas Tech simply would not allow Bachmeier to hurt them with his feet.
Texas Tech jumped out to an early 10-0 lead and short of a late scoring drive by BYU almost pitched a shutout. Cameron Dickey’s 121 yards on the ground (5.3 yards per carry) helped the Red Raiders put this one way long before the clock read double zeroes.
While the nation’s leading sack artist David Bailey did not disappoint with four tackles and a tackle for loss, but the real defensive hero of Texas Tech was fan favorite Jacob Rodgriguez. His famous wife, Emma Rodriguez who is a US Army Blackhawk helicopter pilot, was in attendance. Rodriguez finished the day with 14 total tackles including 9 solo, a tackles for loss and an acrobatic interception that might as well have ended the game.
By beating BYU, Texas Tech and BYU now are in a virtual tie in the Big 12 conference. Unless BYU faulters against Cincinnati in two weeks, there is still a very real possibility that these two teams will meet in the Big 12 Championship Game and have a shot at a first round bye in the eventual college football playoff.
Full Game Team Stats
BYU | Texas Tech | |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Downs | 14 | 17 |
| 3rd down efficiency | 3-14 | 7-18 |
| 4th down efficiency | 1-3 | 0-1 |
| Total Yards | 255 | 368 |
| Passing | 188 | 219 |
| Comp/Att | 23/38 | 17/32 |
| Yards per pass | 4.9 | 6.8 |
| Interceptions thrown | 1 | 0 |
| Rushing | 67 | 149 |
| Rushing Attempts | 27 | 43 |
| Yards per rush | 2.5 | 3.5 |
| Penalties | 5-37 | 6-50 |
| Turnovers | 3 | 0 |
| Fumbles lost | 2 | 0 |
| Interceptions thrown | 1 | 0 |
| Possession | 30:35 | 29:25 |
"Our superpower is how much we love each other."@JoeyMcGuireTTU postgame w/ @sportsiren pic.twitter.com/RUCZue5HLO
— Texas Tech Football (@TexasTechFB) November 8, 2025
Texas Tech defeats BYU 29-7
End of the second half
1:28PM: No Huddle-Shotgun #47 B.Bachmeier pass complete short left to #2 C.Roberts caught at BYU50, for 10 yards to the BYU50, out of bounds at BYU50, 1ST DOWN. 1st & 10 at BYU 40
1:27PM: No Huddle-Shotgun #47 B.Bachmeier pass incomplete deep right to #13 J.Phillips thrown to TTU38 PENALTY TTU Pass Interference (#14 B.Pollock) 15 yards from BYU25 to BYU40, 1ST DOWN. NO PLAY. 2nd & 10 at BYU 25
1:26PM: #48 S.Harrington kickoff 65 yards to the BYU00, Touchback
Texas Tech leads BYU 29-7
1:23PM: #48 S.Harrington field goal attempt from 34 yards GOOD (H: #41 J.Burgess, LS: #89 J.Llewellyn), clock 02:37. 4th & 7 at BYU 16
1:19PM: PENALTY TTU False Start (#79 H.Sampson) 5 yards from BYU19 to BYU24. NO PLAY. 1st & 10 at BYU 19
1:17PM: No Huddle-Shotgun #47 B.Bachmeier sacked for loss of 5 yards to the BYU19 (#2 L.Hunter), fumble by #47 B.Bachmeier recovered by TTU #10 J.Rodriguez at BYU19, End Of Play. 2nd & 6 at BYU 24
1:16PM: #41 J.Burgess punt 46 yards to the BYU00, Touchback. 4th & 15 at BYU 46
1:11PM: PENALTY TTU UNS: Unsportsmanlike Conduct (#5 C.Douglas) 15 yards from BYU35 to BYU50. NO PLAY. 3rd & 4 at BYU 35
1:06PM: #41 J.Burgess punt 40 yards to the BYU32 fair catch by #11 P.Kingston at BYU32. 4th & 9 at TTU 28
1:02PM: #44 W.Ferrin kickoff 38 yards to the TTU27 #20 J.Williams return 0 yards to the TTU27
Texas Tech leads BYU 26-7
BYU gets on the board finally, nearly half way through the 4th quarter pic.twitter.com/Pjo48wK7ww
— The GridIron Geek (@GridIron_Geek_) November 8, 2025
12:55PM: Shotgun #47 B.Bachmeier pass complete short left to #2 C.Roberts caught at TTU00, for 6 yards to the TTU00 TOUCHDOWN, clock 07:35. 1st & Goal at TTU 6
12:54PM: No Huddle-Shotgun #47 B.Bachmeier pass complete short right to #4 L.Martin caught at TTU18, for 11 yards to the TTU06 (#10 J.Rodriguez), 1ST DOWN. 2nd & 10 at TTU 17
12:53PM: No Huddle-Shotgun #47 B.Bachmeier pass complete short right to #11 P.Kingston caught at TTU18, for 13 yards to the TTU17 (#14 B.Pollock), 1ST DOWN. 2nd & 3 at TTU 30
12:52PM: Shotgun #47 B.Bachmeier pass complete short middle to #11 P.Kingston caught at TTU30, for 7 yards to the TTU30 (#13 B.Roberts). 1st & 10 at TTU 37
12:52PM: Shotgun #47 B.Bachmeier pass complete short right to #11 P.Kingston caught at TTU41, for 21 yards to the TTU37 (#7 B.Jordan), 1ST DOWN. 1st & 10 at BYU 42
12:51PM: Shotgun #47 B.Bachmeier pass complete short left to #2 C.Roberts caught at BYU42, for 12 yards to the BYU42 (#27 A.Boyd), out of bounds, 1ST DOWN. 2nd & 5 at BYU 30
12:50PM: Shotgun #47 B.Bachmeier pass complete short right to #20 C.Ryan caught at BYU26, for 5 yards to the BYU30 (#10 J.Rodriguez). 1st & 10 at BYU 25
12:49PM: #48 S.Harrington kickoff 65 yards to the BYU00, Touchback
Texas Tech leads BYU 26-0
Texas Tech has dismantled,owned, and bodied BYU today
— College Football Update (@CFBUpdate_) November 8, 2025
Watch out for the Red Raiders in the College Football Playoff 👀
pic.twitter.com/dlhnJfhVnl
12:45PM: Shotgun #8 C.Dickey rush middle for 1 yard gain to the BYU00 TOUCHDOWN, clock 10:46. 2nd & Goal at BYU 1
12:44PM: No Huddle-Shotgun #20 J.Williams rush middle for 7 yards gain to the BYU03 (#3 R.Damuni), 1ST DOWN. 3rd & 1 at BYU 10
12:43PM: No Huddle-Shotgun #2 B.Morton pass complete short left to #3 C.Eakin caught at BYU15, for 9 yards to the BYU10 (#2 J.Kabeya; #45 V.Po'uha). 2nd & 10 at BYU 19
12:42PM: No Huddle-Shotgun #8 C.Dickey rush right for 11 yards gain to the BYU19 (#28 T.Wall), out of bounds, 1ST DOWN. 2nd & 10 at BYU 30
12:41PM: No Huddle-Shotgun #2 B.Morton pass complete short left to #8 C.Dickey caught at TTU48, for 24 yards to the BYU30 (#28 T.Wall), out of bounds, 1ST DOWN. 2nd & 17 at TTU 46
12:40PM: No Huddle-Shotgun #2 B.Morton pass complete short middle to #1 R.Virgil caught at BYU45, for 16 yards to the BYU33 (#4 M.Bamba) PENALTY TTU Illegal Shift 5 yards from BYU49 to TTU46. NO PLAY. 2nd & 12 at BYU 49
12:39PM: PENALTY TTU False Start (#70 J.Ponton) 5 yards from BYU44 to BYU49. NO PLAY. 2nd & 7 at BYU 44
12:38PM: No Huddle-Shotgun #8 C.Dickey rush right for 33 yards gain to the BYU47 (#16 I.Glasker), 1ST DOWN. 1st & 10 at TTU 20
End of the third quarter
12:36PM: #35 S.Vander Haar punt 33 yards to the TTU20, out of bounds at TTU20. 4th & 7 at BYU 47
12:30PM: Shotgun #47 B.Bachmeier pass complete short left to #5 C.Hagen caught at BYU42, for 17 yards to the BYU44 (#7 B.Jordan), 1ST DOWN. 3rd & 8 at BYU 27
12:29PM: Shotgun #47 B.Bachmeier pass complete short right to #4 L.Martin caught at BYU19, for 6 yards to the BYU27 (#6 J.Curry). 2nd & 14 at BYU 21
12:28PM: Shotgun #47 B.Bachmeier pass complete short to #4 L.Martin caught at BYU16, for 6 yards to the BYU21 (#10 J.Rodriguez). 1st & 20 at BYU 15
12:27PM: Shotgun #12 P.Rex rush left for 2 yards gain to the BYU27 (#14 B.Pollock) PENALTY BYU Holding (#71 I.Jatta) 10 yards from BYU25 to BYU15. NO PLAY. 1st & 10 at BYU 25
12:26PM: #48 S.Harrington kickoff 65 yards to the BYU00, Touchback
Texas Tech leads BYU 19-0
12:23PM: #48 S.Harrington field goal attempt from 29 yards GOOD (H: #41 J.Burgess, LS: #89 J.Llewellyn), clock 03:41. 4th & 9 at BYU 11
12:21PM: No Huddle-Shotgun #2 B.Morton pass complete short left to #20 J.Williams caught at BYU16, for 7 yards to the BYU12 (#16 I.Glasker), 1ST DOWN. 2nd & 7 at BYU 19
12:19PM: Shotgun #47 B.Bachmeier pass intercepted by #31 D.Bailey at BYU30 QB hurried by #31 D.Bailey return 8 yards to the BYU22 (#64 K.Sfarcioc). 3rd & 6 at BYU 25
12:17PM: #48 S.Harrington kickoff 65 yards to the BYU00 #5 C.Hagen return 21 yards to the BYU21 (#45 B.Golwas)
Texas Tech leads BYU 16-0
12:15PM: #48 S.Harrington field goal attempt from 39 yards GOOD (H: #41 J.Burgess, LS: #89 J.Llewellyn), clock 07:00. 4th & 7 at BYU 21
12:10PM: No Huddle-Shotgun #2 B.Morton pass complete short right to #7 T.Carter Jr. Caught at BYU29, for 8 yards to the BYU24 (#13 T.Akana; #15 T.Beasley), 1ST DOWN. 3rd & 6 at BYU 32
12:06PM: No Huddle-Shotgun #8 C.Dickey rush middle for 11 yards gain to the BYU36 (#2 J.Kabeya), 1ST DOWN. 2nd & 6 at BYU 47
12:02PM: #35 S.Vander Haar punt 69 yards to the TTU00, Touchback. 4th & 10 at BYU 31
12:00PM: Shotgun #47 B.Bachmeier pass complete short middle to #2 C.Roberts caught at BYU31, for 14 yards to the BYU31 (#7 B.Jordan), 1ST DOWN. 2nd & 9 at BYU 17
11:58AM: J. Burgess punt for 58 yds, R. Frischknecht returns. 4th & 4 at TTU 31
11:55AM: #44 W.Ferrin kickoff 65 yards to the TTU00, Touchback
First Half Team Stats
| BYU | Texas Tech | |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Downs | 6 | 9 |
| 3rd down efficiency | 2-8 | 4-9 |
| 4th down efficiency | 1-1 | 0-1 |
| Total Yards | 106 | 187 |
| Passing | 43 | 134 |
| Comp/Att | 6/11 | 8/16 |
| Yards per pass | 3.9 | 8.4 |
| Interceptions thrown | 0 | 0 |
| Rushing | 63 | 53 |
| Rushing Attempts | 20 | 20 |
| Yards per rush | 3.2 | 2.7 |
| Penalties | 2-10 | 1-5 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 0 |
| Fumbles lost | 1 | 0 |
| Interceptions thrown | 0 | 0 |
| Possession | 16:54 | 13:06 |
Texas Tech leads BYU 13-0
End of the first half
Kalani Sitake loves what his defense was able to do in the red zone at the end of the second quarter.Pic.twitter.com/pvzotEWXnQ
— Kyle Ireland (@kyleireland) November 8, 2025
11:33AM: No Huddle-Shotgun #2 B.Morton pass incomplete short middle to #7 T.Carter Jr. Thrown to BYU00 broken up by #3 R.Damuni, TURNOVER ON DOWNS. 4th & Goal at BYU 2
11:30AM: No Huddle-Shotgun #2 B.Morton pass complete deep left to #1 R.Virgil caught at BYU12, for 39 yards to the BYU06 (#1 T.Alexander), out of bounds, 1ST DOWN. 1st & 10 at BYU 45
11:29AM: No Huddle-Shotgun #8 C.Dickey rush middle for 11 yards gain to the BYU45 (#48 B.Schoonover), 1ST DOWN. 3rd & 1 at TTU 44
11:28AM: No Huddle-Shotgun #2 B.Morton pass complete short middle to #7 T.Carter Jr. Caught at TTU34, for 18 yards to the TTU44 (#3 R.Damuni). 2nd & 19 at TTU 26
11:26AM: No Huddle-Shotgun #2 B.Morton sacked for loss of 9 yards to the TTU26 (#16 I.Glasker). 1st & 10 at TTU 35
11:25AM: #35 S.Vander Haar punt 47 yards to the TTU35 fair catch by #3 C.Eakin at TTU35. 4th & 14 at BYU 18
11:24AM: Shotgun #47 B.Bachmeier sacked for loss of 1 yard to the BYU18 (#9 R.Height). 3rd & 13 at BYU 19
11:22AM: PENALTY BYU False Start (#71 I.Jatta) 5 yards from BYU24 to BYU19. NO PLAY. 3rd & 8 at BYU 24
11:19AM: #41 J.Burgess punt 61 yards to the BYU20 #0 T.Nacua return 2 yards to the BYU22 (#12 M.Stevenson), out of bounds. 4th & 13 at TTU 19
11:18AM: No Huddle-Shotgun #20 J.Williams rush middle for 6 yards gain to the TTU19 (#4 M.Bamba). 3rd & 19 at TTU 13
11:16AM: No Huddle-Shotgun #2 B.Morton sacked for loss of 9 yards to the TTU13 (#17 J.Kelly). 2nd & 10 at TTU 22
11:14AM: #35 S.Vander Haar punt 44 yards to the TTU22 fair catch by #3 C.Eakin at TTU22. 4th & 2 at BYU 34
11:12AM: Shotgun #47 B.Bachmeier pass complete short right to #13 J.Phillips caught at BYU23, for 6 yards to the BYU32 (#5 C.Wisniewski), out of bounds. 2nd & 10 at BYU 26
11:11AM: Shotgun #47 B.Bachmeier pass complete short right to #2 C.Roberts caught at BYU21, for 5 yards to the BYU23 (#5 C.Wisniewski). 2nd & 7 at BYU 18
11:08AM: #48 S.Harrington kickoff 50 yards to the BYU15 #5 C.Hagen return 0 yards to the BYU15 (#48 S.Harrington)
Texas Tech leads BYU 13-0
11:06AM: #48 S.Harrington field goal attempt from 27 yards GOOD (H: #41 J.Burgess, LS: #89 J.Llewellyn), clock 08:08. 4th & 7 at BYU 8
10:59AM: No Huddle-Shotgun #2 B.Morton pass complete short middle to #7 T.Carter Jr. Caught at BYU15, for 12 yards to the BYU11 (#17 J.Kelly; #28 T.Wall), 1ST DOWN. 3rd & 9 at BYU 23
10:56AM: No Huddle-Shotgun rush right for 43 yards gain to the BYU24 (#16 I.Glasker; #28 T.Wall), 1ST DOWN. 1st & 10 at TTU 33
Texas Tech leads BYU 10-0
10:54AM: #44 W.Ferrin field goal attempt from 51 yards NO GOOD (H: #35 S.Vander Haar, LS: #26 G.Grimes), clock 10:33. 4th & 4 at TTU 33
10:51AM: Shotgun #11 P.Kingston rush right for 6 yards gain to the TTU32 (#10 J.Rodriguez). 2nd & 9 at TTU 38
10:48AM: Shotgun #47 B.Bachmeier pass complete short right to #20 C.Ryan caught at BYU50, for 15 yards to the TTU39 (#7 B.Jordan; #13 B.Roberts), 1ST DOWN. 3rd & 5 at BYU 46
10:45AM: Shotgun #47 B.Bachmeier pass complete short middle to #2 C.Roberts caught at BYU40, for 14 yards to the BYU41 (#14 B.Pollock), 1ST DOWN. 2nd & 8 at BYU 27
End of the 1st quarter
10:43AM: #48 S.Harrington kickoff 65 yards to the BYU00, Touchback
Texas Tech leads BYU 10-0
Toe tap to cap off a 92-yard drive 😤
— Texas Tech Football (@TexasTechFB) November 8, 2025
📺 @ESPNCFB | https://t.co/ulv8WH2gcQ pic.twitter.com/Blyhsz15kQ
10:40AM: No Huddle-Shotgun #2 B.Morton pass complete short right to #5 C.Douglas for 9 yards to the BYU00 TOUCHDOWN, clock 00:19, 1ST DOWN, PENALTY BYU Pass Interference declined. 2nd & 5 at BYU 9
10:39AM: No Huddle-Shotgun #8 C.Dickey rush middle for 5 yards gain to the BYU09 (#7 L.Lutui). 1st & 10 at BYU 14
10:38AM: No Huddle-Shotgun #8 C.Dickey rush middle for 5 yards gain to the BYU14 (#54 S.Esera), 1ST DOWN. 3rd & 1 at BYU 19
10:37AM: No Huddle-Shotgun #2 B.Morton pass complete short right to #3 C.Eakin caught at TTU46, for 37 yards to the BYU28 (#15 T.Beasley), 1ST DOWN. 3rd & 6 at TTU 35
10:35AM: No Huddle-Shotgun #8 C.Dickey rush middle for 5 yards gain to the TTU36 (#55 J.Taumoepeau). 1st & 10 at TTU 31
10:34AM: No Huddle-Shotgun #2 B.Morton pass complete short left to #1 R.Virgil caught at TTU26, for 9 yards to the TTU29 (#11 F.Satuala). 1st & 10 at TTU 20
10:33AM: No Huddle-Shotgun #8 C.Dickey rush right for 6 yards gain to the TTU20 (#28 T.Wall), out of bounds, 1ST DOWN. 2nd & 4 at TTU 14
10:32AM: No Huddle-Shotgun #2 B.Morton pass complete short left to #1 R.Virgil caught at TTU14, for 6 yards to the TTU14 (#1 T.Alexander). 1st & 10 at TTU 8
10:29AM: #35 S.Vander Haar punt 44 yards to the TTU08 fair catch by #3 C.Eakin at TTU08. 4th & 9 at BYU 48
10:27AM: PENALTY BYU False Start (#20 C.Ryan) 5 yards from BYU47 to BYU42. NO PLAY. 1st & 10 at BYU 47
10:26AM: Shotgun #47 B.Bachmeier rush middle for 5 yards gain to the BYU47 (#94 B.Rigsby; #5 C.Wisniewski), 1ST DOWN. 3rd & 3 at BYU 42
10:25AM: Shotgun rush left for 6 yards gain to the BYU42 (#5 C.Wisniewski; #13 B.Roberts). 2nd & 9 at BYU 36
10:23AM: Shotgun #12 P.Rex rush right for 7 yards gain to the BYU32 (#5 C.Wisniewski), out of bounds. 1st & 10 at BYU 25
10:21AM: #48 S.Harrington kickoff 65 yards to the BYU00, Touchback
Texas Tech leads BYU 3-0
10:19AM: #48 S.Harrington field goal attempt from 47 yards GOOD (H: #41 J.Burgess, LS: #89 J.Llewellyn), clock 10:07. 4th & 22 at BYU 29
10:18AM: No Huddle-Shotgun #2 B.Morton sacked for loss of 14 yards to the BYU29 (#17 J.Kelly). 3rd & 8 at BYU 15
Birthday boy @ashtonhamp3 jumped on it.
— Texas Tech Football (@TexasTechFB) November 8, 2025
📺 @ESPNCFB | https://t.co/ulv8WH1Ini https://t.co/oHFXdnnul5 pic.twitter.com/NMRhdVHgtn
10:17AM: #41 J.Burgess punt 0 yards to the TTU23 muffed by #11 P.Kingston at recovered by TTU #18 T.Tilmon at BYU17, End Of Play. 4th & 27 at TTU 23
10:15AM: No Huddle-Shotgun #2 B.Morton sacked for loss of 14 yards to the TTU23 (#54 S.Esera). 3rd & 13 at TTU 37
10:13AM: PENALTY TTU False Start (#70 J.Ponton) 5 yards from TTU40 to TTU35. NO PLAY. 1st & 10 at TTU 40
10:12AM: #35 S.Vander Haar punt 19 yards to the TTU40, out of bounds at TTU40. 4th & 6 at BYU 41
10:08AM: No Huddle-Shotgun #4 L.Martin rush middle for 12 yards gain to the BYU37 (#5 C.Wisniewski; #7 B.Jordan), 1ST DOWN. 2nd & 10 at BYU 25
10:05AM: #48 S.Harrington kickoff 65 yards to the BYU00, Touchback
BYU IS UNDEFEATED @PatrickMahomes...
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) November 8, 2025
THIS IS THE TEXAS TECH RED RAIDERS TIME
HERE COMES THE MASKED RIDER
I LOVE LUBBOCK, TEXAS AND I LOVE THIS FOOTBALL TEAM #CollegeGameDay pic.twitter.com/rMzhLnHWRM
The goat is in the building 💪@PatrickMahomes x @adidasFballUS pic.twitter.com/qNRyG8HNno
— Texas Tech Football (@TexasTechFB) November 8, 2025
No. 7 BYU vs No. 8 Texas Tech Game Preview:
The two best teams in the Big 12 are facing each other weeks ahead of the Big 12 championship game. These two teams are separated by only one loss. A 26-22 loss for Texas Tech at the hands of Arizona State three weeks ago. Had the Red Raiders won that game, they and BYU would have had the same identical record. 8-0 overall and an undefeated record in conference.
Entering this game, BYU controls their own destiny. Kalani Sitake’s Cougars have unblemished record but have only faced on ranked team. No. 23 Utah, a game the Cougars won by a field goal. Texas Tech’s lone ranked opponent was also Utah. However, BYU won that game 34-10.
Based on both of their respective remaining schedules, both teams have a good chance to make the Big 12 championship game. If BYU can beat Cincinnati in their penultimate game of the regular season, these two teams could meet again for the Big 12 title.
This game could come down to Bear vs Behren
Texas Tech leans on their lines. The defensive line has been the strength of their defense, and their offensive line ranks in the top 10 for pass blocking. While BYU also has a great offensive line, their defensive line and their ability to get consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks has been the only inconsistency on their defense.
BYU could lean on their running game to slow down Texas Tech. LJ Martin for BYU ranks in the top 20 of rush yards in the nation. They will have to be efficient and effective though as Texas Tech has the No. 1 rush defense in the country allowing only 2.49 yards per carry and a shade under 83 yards rushing per game.
If this does not become a game won or lost by the quarterbacks, this game could come down to the dominant Texas Tech defense vs BYU’s incredible offensive line. An x-factor for Texas Tech could edge rusher David Bailey who is second in the country in sacks (14) only behind Miami Hurricane Rueben Bain Jr. Bailey also leads the nation in quarterback pressures (55).
This game has the potential to be a prequel to the Big 12 Championship game with interesting matchups throughout.
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