Football smothers Texas Tech, 41-16

Thursday, November 28

Austin, Texas

6:30 p.m.

University of Texas

8-3 , 7-1

Texas Tech

7-5 , 4-5

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Texas Tech

Texas

11.28.2013 | Football

Box Score

Longhorns total 281 rushing yards, defense records nine sacks in Senior Day victory

Malcolm Brown and Joe Bergeron both topped 100 rushing yards, Texas' defense had a season-high nine sacks, and the Longhorns ran past Texas Tech 41-16 Thursday night.

Brown ran for 128 yards on 27 carries and Bergeron had 102 yards on 17 as Texas improved to 8-3 overall and 7-1 in the Big 12 on Senior Day. Heading into the regular-season finale at Baylor, the Longhorns are tied for first place in the league standings with Oklahoma State.

After falling behind early when Texas Tech turned a fake punt into a 51-yard touchdown, the Longhorns controlled much of the game. Aside from the scamper on the fake punt, Texas Tech had just 8 yards rushing on 17 attempts in the first half.

The defensive line provided constant pressure. Jackson Jeffcoat tallied a career-high three sacks, vaulting himself into the school's career top 10 in that category. Cedric Reed had two, while Caleb Bluiett, Bryce Cottrell, Duke Thomas and Reggie Wilson had one each, giving Texas its most sacks since recording 10 in the Alamo Bowl last season.

Quarterback Case McCoy went 10 of 19 for 139 yards and accounted for three touchdowns – two passing to Mike Davis and a 1-yard run. Davis, who had four catches for 165 yards and two touchdowns at Texas Tech last season, again burned the Red Raiders by finishing with 112 yards on four receptions, including the two TDs.

Leading 20-10 at halftime, the Longhorns put the game away in the third quarter. McCoy ran it in from a yard out with 10:04 left in the third quarter, and the defense forced Texas Tech into two punts and a turnover on downs in its next three drives. Texas increased its lead to 34-10 when Davis caught a 7-yard touchdown pass with 14:56 left in the fourth quarter.

Texas Tech cut the lead to 34-16 when Jace Amaro caught an 11-yard touchdown pass with 11:04 left, but Texas padded the lead when backup quarterback Tyrone Swoopes scored on a 1-yard touchdown with 4:22 remaining.

The Longhorns built a 20-10 halftime lead behind touchdowns from Bergeron and Davis and two field goals from Anthony Fera, one of 20 seniors making their final appearance at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.

After Texas Tech's fake-punt touchdown, the Longhorns answered on their next drive. Texas went 49 yards on 11 plays – six of them runs by Brown – to setup a 37-yard field goal by Fera.

Duke Thomas, who earlier sacked Tech quarterback Baker Mayfield, came up with his second big play of the game when he intercepted Baker on Tech's following possession. After Tech missed a 40-yard field goal attempt, Texas took its first lead when McCoy hit Davis on a deep pass down the middle of the field for a 47-yard touchdown to make it 10-7.

Fera increased the lead midway through the second quarter. After a seven-play, 27-yard drive stalled, Fera connected from 49 yards to give Texas a 13-7 lead.

On Texas' next drive, Jaxon Shipley took a reverse from Brown, then threw downfield and hit Davis in stride for a 43-yard gain. Five plays later, Bergeron ran for a 12-yard touchdown and a 20-7 Texas lead.

Texas Tech place-kicker Ryan Bustin hit a 32-yard field goal as time expired in the second quarter to cut the Texas lead to 20-10 at halftime.