The class of unbeaten teams shrunk a bit more on Saturday.
No. 11 Iowa State, which entered the week 7-0, lost their first game of the season at home to Texas Tech. The Red Raiders (6-3) went to Ames, jumped out to a 10-3 lead, and scored a go-ahead touchdown with 19 seconds remaining to win 23-22.
Texas Tech tailback Tahj Brooks took a direct snap on second-and-goal from the 5 with 22 seconds remaining and ran off the right side of the line to score the game-winner.
Tahj Brooks for the lead in Ames‼️ ⌚️
ESPN | #WreckEm pic.twitter.com/P8CH4cgCvw
— Texas Tech Football (@TexasTechFB) November 2, 2024
Brooks finished with 122 yards on 25 carries. Tech quarterback Blake Morton went 21-for-40 through the air for 237 yards with 2 touchdowns. Wideout Josh Kelly caught 8 of 19 (!!!) targets for 127 yards and 2 scores.
Texas Tech turned it over twice and was outgained 432-366. But Iowa State had 2 turnovers of its own and missed a fourth-quarter field goal. It was a game of mistakes and responses. After going 3-and-out in the fourth, Tech went 71 yards in 12 plays to score the game-winner.
With Iowa State losing, there are now just 5 unbeaten FBS teams remaining — Army (8-0), Miami (9-0), BYU (8-0), Indiana (9-0), and Oregon (9-0). Penn State also lost its first game of the season on Saturday, 20-13, at home to Ohio State.
The loss for the Cyclones also opens the door in the Big 12 title race. BYU, which is on a bye this week, has games remaining against Kansas, Arizona State, and Houston. The Cougars have a straightforward path to the Big 12’s title game. Behind them, 3 teams are sitting at 4-1 in conference play. Iowa State is joined by Kansas State and Colorado. The Cyclones and Wildcats face each other in Ames on Nov. 30.
Derek Peterson does a bit of everything, not unlike Taysom Hill. He has covered Oklahoma, Nebraska, the Pac-12, and now delivers CFB-wide content.
