Live Updates: Back-to-Back Pick-Sixes Put No. 11 Texas Tech Up Over Sam Houston
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LUBBOCK — No. 11 Texas Tech hosts Sam Houston at 11 a.m. CT from Galaxy Stadium in the final non-conference game of the season.
The Red Raiders (3-0) escaped with a 28-26 win in Lubbock last Friday night, defeating No. 22 Houston with a last-second, goal-line stop on what would've been a game-tying 2-point conversion.
The win was Tech's tenth straight at home, dating back to their dominant Big 12 campaign in 2025, and it pushed the Red Raiders into the top 10 in the US LBM coaches poll rankings. The Associated Press moved Texas Tech up two spots to No. 11 ahead of the Week 4 slate.
PREVIEW:Red Raiders Hope to Remain Perfect vs. Bearkats
The Bearkats (1-2) are in just their fourth season as an FBS program and are coming off their first win of the season, a 59-0 blowout of Nicholls. Sam Houston gained 619 yards of offense, led by quarterback Landyn Locke surpassing 300 passing yards for the third time in as many games.
Will Hammond was also efficient through the air for the Red Raiders as he threw for 257 yards on 17-of-27 passes against the Cougars. Texas Tech used a more potent offensive performance to overcome an early 10-point deficit and complete the team's first double-digit comeback against a ranked opponent since 2022 – Joey McGuire's first season as head coach.
Live Updates – No. 11 Texas Tech (3-0) vs. Sam Houston (1-2)
12:11 p.m. – After multiple long connections and offensive penalties, Landyn Locke dropped back on 1st-and-30 to find Tim Burns Jr. for a 52-yard touchdown. Bearkats trim into the deficit, trailing Texas Tech 21-7 with 8:17 to go in the half.
12:05 p.m. – The Red Raiders commit their third three-and-out of the opening half as a deep pass to Kenny Johnson over the middle was off-target for what could have been a breakaway touchdown. Hammond is just 4 of -7 for 58 yards through the air.
12:00 p.m. – Sam Houston punted for the third time with 11:14 remaining in the first half. The Bearkats bounce brought the ball to Texas Tech's 11-yard line.
11:50 a.m. – And before I could finish typing the last update, deja vu struck. Romaine intercepted another pass by Locke, then took it 31 yards to the house. Texas Tech up 21-0 in the blink of an eye.
Romaine, who is aptly nicknamed "Lettuce" in the locker room, had just one career interception in three seasons at Kansas State. He doubled that total and scored his first two defensive touchdowns of his career on Saturday.
11:48 a.m. – On the first play of the second quarter, Austin Romaine intercepted a tipped pass and returned it 15 yards into the end zone for Texas Tech's first pick-six of the season. Red Raiders lead 14-0.
End of First Quarter – Texas Tech 7, Sam Houston 0
11:41 a.m. – The Red Raiders punt with 32 seconds remaining in the quarter. A series of rushes between the tackles was handled with ease by the Bearkats defensive line.
11:38 a.m. – An offensive pass interference negated a first-down catch on third-and-long for Sam Houston. The ensuing play made up the penalty yardage, but was short of the line to gain. Texas Tech called its second timeout of the first half before starting the possession at their own 29-yard line. Malcolm Simmons returned the punt instead of Johnson.
11:31 a.m. – Texas Tech spread the ball around to several playmakers, including wide receiver Kenny Johnson on a 35-yard connection and Cam Dickey, who rushed twice for a 12 total yards and the first touchdown of the game. Red Raiders lead 7-0 with 5:11 to go in the first quarter.
11:22 a.m. – Bearkats kicker Sam Carpenter missed a 48-yard field goal wide to the right. Texas Tech takes over at their own 30-yard line.
11:13 a.m. – Texas Tech goes three-and-out while backed up on their first possession. Backup quarterback Thomas Castellanos – who threw an interception on the first play from scrimmage last week – came in but was stopped on a short third-down run.
11:04 a.m. – Red Raiders won the toss and deferred to the second half. Bearkats began at their own 25-yard line but were forced into two incompletions and punted before getting across the 50-yard line. Texas Tech takes over at its own five-yard line after muffing the punt reception.
Pregame: Texas Tech announces it will be without star tight end Terrance Carter Jr., who, despite managing a foot injury, sustained an AC joint injury last week against the Cougars. Jett Carpenter is starting at tight end for the Red Raiders. See below for more.
This story will be updated throughout the game
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