Football loses shootout to Texas Tech, 48-45

Thursday, November 26

Austin, Texas

6:30 p.m.

University of Texas

4-7 , 3-5

Texas Tech

7-5 , 4-5

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Texas Tech

Texas

11.26.2015 | Football

Box Score

Texas running back Chris Warren III rushed for a freshman program record 276 yards and four touchdowns

Quotes: Texas | Texas Tech
Postgame Notes | Charlie Strong post game availability

AUSTIN, Texas — Despite a Texas freshman record 276 yards and four touchdowns from running back Chris Warren III, the Longhorns (4-7, 3-5 Big 12 Conference) dropped a wild offensive shootout to Texas Tech (7-5, 4-5 Big 12) on a rainy Thanksgiving night at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, 48-45.

In the very first start of his Burnt Orange & White career, Warren III broke off a 91-yard TD run, the fourth-longest rush in school history and the longest by a UT rookie, while registering the vast majority of Texas' season-high 403 total rushing yards. With his effort, the Rockwall, Texas, native also became the first Longhorns runner to reach the 200-yard mark since Jamaal Charles recorded 290 yards against Nebraska back on Oct. 27, 2007.

Junior quarterback Tyrone Swoopes went 9-for-18 for 52 yards through the air with an interception while rushing for 98 yards and a pair of touchdowns. The occurrence marked his third game of the season with multiple running scores.

In all, the two offenses combined for 1,132 total yards and six turnovers (four by TTU), with Texas Tech outgaining the Longhorns, 665-467.

Texas' defense made a positive opening statement on TTU's initial possession of the game. With the high-powered Red Raiders offense having driven into UT territory at the 29 but facing a fourth-and-9, a pass over the middle from Patrick Mahomes was picked off by junior safety Dylan Haines and returned 16 yards.

With 2:10 showing on the first quarter clock, the Burnt Orange & White defense registered its second takeaway of the opening 15 minutes. Mahomes connected with wide receiver Devin Lauderdale on a 10-yard toss, but Texas freshman linebacker Malik Jefferson forced a fumble that was recovered by rookie defensive back Holton Hill at TTU's 41.

From there, a 32-yard run by freshman running back Kirk Johnson set the Horns up with a first-and-goal at the 9. Texas was ultimately forced to settle for a field goal as Nick Rose drilled a 31-yarder on the opening snap of the second stanza to provide UT with a 3-0 advantage.

The Texas lead lasted just seconds after what appeared to be a certain interception was jarred out of Hill's hands before shockingly bouncing straight into the arms of Jakeem Grant. Already at a full sprint, the Mesquite, Texas, product raced down the west sideline for 65 yards to push the Red Raiders in front, 7-3.

Texas Tech expanded its lead to 10-3 as a seven-play, 29-yard drive culminated in a 51-yard Clayton Hatfield FG.

Warren III soon electrified the home crowd by breaking several tackles during a 91-yard TD jaunt that tied the contest at 10-10 with 6:15 remaining in the first half.

A Texas fumble at its own 34 late in the second quarter handed the Red Raiders an opportunity to re-take the lead. Mahomes wrapped up a five-play drive via a one-yard plunge to make it 17-10 with 1:48 showing before the break.

With the benefit of a key third-and-16 conversion on a 31-yard toss from Mahomes to Sadler, TTU drove 91 yards in 12 plays to take a 14-point lead on a two-yard DeAndre Washington scoring run with 7:58 left in the third.

TTU's turnover woes continued as Sadler fumbled on a John Bonney hit at the Tech 28. The Horns needed just two plays to reach pay dirt as Swoopes located Warren III for a 21-yard score, cutting the UT deficit to 24-17.

Trailing 27-17 after a 38-yard Hatfield FG, Texas inched within three points with 1:36 remaining in the third. Warren III followed up a 54-yard Daje Johnson kick-off return by scoring on a 23-yard scamper for his third rushing TD of the night.

The back-and-forth action continued into what would turn into a 42-point fourth quarter as the Red Raiders restored their 10-point advantage on a 16-yard Washington rushing TD.

The Longhorns answered right back with a pair of scores to nab a 38-34 advantage. Swoopes finished an eight-play, 77-yard drive on a one-yard plunge, and with 7:54 left in the contest, the Whitewright, Texas, product broke free through the right side of the line for a 46-yard TD.

Unfortunately for UT, Texas Tech immediately responded with a one-yard TD run from Justin Stockton and a 40-yard rush by Grant to restore a 10-point lead.

After Warren III managed his fourth rushing TD of the contest with 2:06 remaining, TTU fought to recover an onside kick and ran out the clock on its 48-45 victory.