The Texas Tech football team proved it was ready to contend with a high-powered offense by defeating Oklahoma State “52-27 in Boone Pickens Stadium”, per the “Texas Tech football pummels Drew Mestemaker, Oklahoma State | Takeaways” report.
The Red Raiders improved their record to “9-1, 6-1” on the season, according to the “RED RAIDERS” coverage.
Questions surrounded the Texas Tech defense regarding whether losing multiple NFL players would cripple the unit, but Shiel Wood’s group answered with aplomb.
Oklahoma State quarterback Drew Mestemaker finished with 277 yards after checking out midway through the fourth quarter.
Mestemaker entered the matchup with eight consecutive games of at least 300 passing yards before being heavily harassed all night by the visiting defense.
A.J. Holmes Jr. sacked the opposing quarterback in the first quarter, which impacted the entire contest and left Mestemaker banged up.
Meanwhile, Auburn transfer Malcolm Simmons made a triumphant return to the field after missing the last few weeks due to an injury.
Simmons made an immediate impact by taking the opening kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown.
He later brought in a 45-yard touchdown reception to finish the night with two touches and two touchdowns.
Quarterback Thomas Castellanos left the game in the fourth quarter after taking a major hit.
The ESPN broadcast reported that Castellanos appeared to suffer a rib injury.
Will Hammond checked in to finish out the contest after the Red Raiders had already put the game out of reach.
Two games remain between Texas Tech and a return to the Big 12 Conference championship game.
The team will travel next to “face Baylor” in Waco, according to the “Lubbock Avalanche-Journal” report.