To open Big 12 play in 2009, Texas hosted Texas Tech in what was a revenge game from the year before. In 2008, the Red Raiders beat the Longhorns, giving them their only loss of the season. This year, Texas made sure they would not come in their way of a perfect season.
Ranked No. 2 in the country, Texas was led offensively by quarterback Colt McCoy and wide receiver Jordan Shipley. The two connected 11 times for 73 yards. Shipley also returned a first-quarter punt 46 yards to give Texas a 7-3 lead.
Hunter Lawrence kicked a field goal in the first minute in the second quarter and that was the only scoring of the first half. Texas went into the locker room winning 10-7.
The second half was the opposite of the first, with each team finding their rhythm on offense. The first four drives in the half had four touchdowns, two for each team. Running backs Tre Newton and Cody Johnson found the endzone for Texas, while Texas Tech quarterback Taylor Potts found wide receiver Lyle Leong twice to make it 24-17 in favor of the Longhorns.
With the good, also came the bad. The four drives after the scores were a Texas punt, Potts interception, McCoy interception, and a Sergio Kindle strip-sack on Potts. After the fumble, the Longhorns finally took advantage of a turnover, as McCoy found wide receiver Dan Buckner for a three-yard score.
The Red Raiders responded with another Taylor Potts touchdown, but Texas was able to ice the game with a nine-play, 50-yard drive that ended in a Lawrence field goal to give the Longhorns a 34-24 lead. Texas forced a turnover on downs and got their revenge against Texas Tech.
While Potts’ 420 yards was the most the Longhorn defense allowed all year, Texas held Texas Tech to -6 yards on the ground. They also forced five fumbles, but only recovered two of them. Add an interception and the Longhorns forced three turnovers.
Colt McCoy had one of his worst days of the regular season, throwing his only multiple interception game. Tre Newton led the team in rushing, having 88 yards on 20 carries.
This game started a six-game winning streak in the series for the Longhorns. Tomorrow’s matchup will make it a decade since this matchup and Texas has gone 8-2 in those 10 games. With a win tomorrow, they can keep that 8-2 record in the 2010s.
Texas will face Texas Tech on Friday at 11:00 a.m. on Fox.
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