After their first loss of the season, Texas Tech entered the game with newly reinstated quarterback Thomas Castellanos. The former Boston College and Florida State starter has been battling it out in court this season over his fifth year of college eligibility. He was granted a temporary injunction earlier this month that allowed him to play and start today.
Arizona opened the scoring with a 35-yard field goal from Michael Salgado-Medina. Texas Tech answered with a 24-yard passing touchdown from Castellanos to Terrance Carter Jr., making it 7-3.
In the second quarter, Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita found Isaiah Mizell for a 94-yard score. Later, Arizona running back Kendrick Reescano rushed for a 5-yard touchdown. Texas Tech added a 29-yard field goal by Stone Harrington to take the lead 17-10 at the break.
In the third quarter, Castellanos rushed for an 8-yard touchdown to tie the game at 17-17. Arizona answered with a 1-yard touchdown run by Reescano but didn’t get the extra point, making it 23-17. Castellanos found Kenny Johnson for a 27-yard touchdown to take the lead, 24-23.
In the fourth quarter, Texas Tech got another Harrington field goal, this time from 42 yards away to make it 27-23. Arizona had a great chance to retake the lead after a Texas Tech fumble but couldn’t get anything going and had to punt. On the next possession, running back J’Koby Williams broke free for a 64-yard touchdown. With 22 seconds remaining, Arizona kicked a 22-yard field goal, but they couldn’t get the onside kick, and Texas Tech walked away with a 34-26 victory.
Castellanos played very well, passing for 144 yards and two scores while rushing for 117 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries. Williams led the team in rushing with 175 yards on 14 carries. Kenny Johnson caught 4 receptions for 49 yards and a touchdown, while Carter Jr. had 3 receptions for 42 yards and a score.
For Arizona, quarterback Noah Fifita went 33 of 45 for 417 yards and a touchdown. Reescano led all rushers with 18 yards and 2 touchdowns on 9 carries. Mizell went off for a 7-reception, 182-yard, one-touchdown day. Gio Richardson also had a solid day, catching 6 passes for 90 yards.
The loss severely hurts Arizona’s chances of making the College Football Playoffs, while Texas Tech is in prime position with this rebound victory.
