Texas Tech cruised to a 34-14 victory over California in the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl behind an empowered offense and an opportunistic defense.
The Golden Bears offense was powered by running back Jaydn Ott this season, a First Team All-Pac-12 nominee. He finished the regular season averaging 114.6 yards per game, the seventh-best mark in the nation, but despite an early touchdown, the Red Raiders defense stifled him to just 45 yards on 16 carries.
On the offensive side of the ball, sophomore quarterback Behren Morton threw for 256 yards with three touchdowns and one interception. All three of his touchdown passes came in the first 21 minutes of the game, including a go-tying 15-yard score to Mason Tharp and a go-ahead touchdown pass to Loic Fouonji in the early second quarter. Texas Tech never surrendered the lead again.
Despite a touchdown pass in the opening minute of the game, California quarterback Fernando Mendoza made too many costly mistakes in the second half. With Texas Tech leading and Ott unable to get going downhill, the Golden Bears quarterback threw an interception on the first drive of the third quarter. He threw two more before the game was over and even coughed up a fumble, turning the ball over four times in seven second-half drives.
With the California offense unable to get off the ground, the Red Raiders cruised to an easy victory. Running back Tahj Brooks punched his way into the end zone in the third quarter, the highlight of a 98-yard performance. Texas Tech scored the game’s final 27 points, and the California offense didn’t score after the first quarter ended.
Here are the best photos from the Texas Tech victory.