Texas Tech Gets 4 Second-Half Takeaways To Beat Colorado in Road Conference Opener

No. 12 Texas Tech used four interceptions, each being followed by scores, to come back from an early deficit and defeat Colorado 29-7 at Folsom Field Saturday night.

The Red Raiders improved to 2-0 after their Big 12 road opener and stayed undefeated on the season despite another slow offensive start.

Trailing 7-3 at halftime, Texas Tech's offense was sparked as the Buffaloes threw three straight interceptions in the third quarter that ended in a field goal, a go-ahead touchdown, and a field goal for the Red Raiders.

Texas Tech also created its third interception returned for a touchdown in the last two weeks on the fourth takeaway.

The second-half breakthrough has become a necessity and a common trend for coach Joey McGuire's team, and this time it churned 29 unanswered points against a Buffs offense that began the game knocking Tech's defense on its heels with a touchdown on the opening possession.

Colorado quarterback Isaac Wilson made his first start of the season after replacing Julian Lewis midway through last week's loss to Baylor. The Buffaloes outgained Texas Tech offensively, with Wilson throwing for 292 yards and a touchdown with three of Colorado's four interceptions.

Red Raiders quarterback Will Hammond went 17 of 26 passing for 134 yards and a touchdown without turning the ball over. The bulk of his completions were in the direction of star tight end Terrance Carter Jr. (8 REC, 67 YDS, TD), who surpassed his season total for catches in Saturday's game alone.

The win is Texas Tech's third straight in road conference openers, matching the program record. The Red Raiders now enter their bye week at 5-0, with the next game coming on Oct. 17 at home against Arizona State.

First Quarter - Colorado offense had its way early

The Buffaloes led 7-3 with two long drives in the first period. Coach Deion Sanders' staff called a series of trick plays where Wilson was effective as a passer, rusher and receiver on Colorado's touchdown drive to open the game.

Tech answered with a 52-yard field goal from Stone Harrington.

On Colorado's second drive, Wilson once again led the team deep into the red zone as the Red Raiders' defense didn't seem to apply much pressure across the defense.

Texas Tech had a chance to create a turnover, but linebacker Ben Roberts saw a would-be interception fall out of his grasp. The Red Raiders caught a break as Colorado kicker Elliott Arnold missed a 29-yard field goal.

Hammond and the Tech offense couldn't build on the Buffaloes' missed opportunity. The Red Raiders went 3-and-out after the drive started with a rush by J’Koby Williams that lost four yards.

Second Quarter - Three 4th-down stops stalled both offenses

Both defenses combined to force three turnovers on downs in the quarter. Colorado lined up to punt after picking up just three yards on the first drive. More trickery came when the Buffs dialing up a fake punt, but the fourth-down run was stopped well short of the line to gain.

In plus territory, Texas Tech running back Cam Dickey was slow to get up as his ankle bent awkwardly under a tackle. He needed assistance walking to the locker room and was out for the rest of the game. He changed out of his pads and wore a walking boot coming out of halftime.

The Red Raiders themselves were then stopped on fourth down at the end of the series. Williams took a direct snap on 4th-and-inches and was tackled behind the line of scrimmage while trying to take it wide to the left.

The Buffaloes' offense stalled again, and Tech rusher Quinten Joyner's 26-yard pick-up brought the Red Raiders into scoring position. Another second-effort run from Joyner was given a mark inches short of the line to gain, and the Red Raiders were again stuffed on fourth down.

Offensive coordinator Mack Leftwich called for Hammond to line up in shotgun on both failed 4th-down attempts. Perhaps such short-yardage situations are where Texas Tech misses Thomas Castellanos, the dual-threat backup quarterback who was ruled ineligible Friday night as his temporary restraining order against the NCAA was dissolved in Kentucky.

Hammond was pressured in the backfield, and after drilling a 51-yard field goal as a timeout was called, Harrington was "iced" and missed the attempt that counted.

Wilson picked up 33 yards with a trio of screen passes, quickly getting the Buffaloes into field goal position. Arnold, too, was iced and missed a 52-yard kick after Texas Tech's timeout.

Colorado led 7-3 at halftime as Texas Tech's season-long first-half struggles continued offensively.

Third Quarter - 3 Interceptions put Texas Tech in front

Hammond was intercepted three times in one quarter last week. This time around, it was Wilson suffering that fate. Tech intercepted the Buffaloes on three consecutive series in the third quarter, the second of which helped the Red Raiders take their first lead of the game.

All-Conference cornerback Brice Pollock, who led the Big 12 in interceptions last year, got his first pick of 2026 as he tight-roped the sideline on a long pass to the right by receiver Joseph Williams.

Williams took a reception out of the backfield 19 yards to bring Texas Tech into the red zone. Joyner's rush was another loss of yardage and a short pass to tight end Matt Ludwig set up a 27-yard field goal from Harrington, bringing the Colorado lead to just 7-6.

After safety Brenden Jordan exited the game with what appeared to be a collision to the head, Texas Tech got its second turnover of the game with Malik Esquerra intercepting Wilson on the next Colorado possession.

Hammond rolled out to the right, found a sliding Carter in the corner of the end zone, and his juggling touchdown catch put the Red Raiders in front with three minutes left in the quarter. Texas Tech's 2-point conversion attempt was unsuccessful, so the Red Raiders led just 12-7.

Pollock got his second interception with 33 seconds remaining in the quarter, six plays into the next Colorado drive.

Fourth Quarter - Another Pick-6 seals Red Raiders win

Texas Tech scored on its third straight possession after the interceptions. Harrington hit a 48-yard field goal to put the Red Raiders up 15-7 at the start of the final period.

One of the best special teams plays of Texas Tech's season was Will Karroll's 60-yard punt pinning Colorado at their own 1-yard line with just over seven minutes to play.

Interceptions remained the name of the game for the Red Raiders as linebacker John Curry used the field position to intercept Wilson while standing in the end zone. What ends up being Tech's third pick-six of the season (after Austin Romaine's back-to-back plays last week), put the Red Raiders ahead by double figures.

Joyner padded the late lead with a physical 30-yard touchdown run.

Texas Tech's Thomas Castellanos Now Ineligible, Won't Play vs. ColoradoTexas Tech had more courtroom drama this season, as quarterback Thomas Castellanos was deemed ineligible after the Kentucky Court of Appeals dissolved the temporary restraining order that allowed him to play for the Red Raiders.