Castellanos leads Texas Tech past Arizona in Big 12 clash
The Red Raiders extended their home winning streak while the Wildcats lost freshman R.J. Mosley to a leg injury.
By John Wisniewski ·
Noah Fifita threw for 417 yards as No. 22 Arizona fell 34-26 to No. 13 Texas Tech on Saturday night in Lubbock. The loss snapped the Wildcats' five-game winning streak and left them with a 6-2 record.
Tommy Castellanos, the first-time starter, passed for two touchdowns and rushed for 117 yards and a score. He replaced Will Hammond, who was benched following a 37-24 loss to Cincinnati. Castellanos secured the lead late in the third quarter with a 27-yard touchdown pass to Kenny Johnson on fourth-and-2. The play gave Texas Tech a 24-23 advantage after Ansel Nedore blocked the extra point kick on Arizona's previous drive.
J'Koby Williams ran for 175 yards and a 64-yard touchdown for the Red Raiders. The win marked the 13th consecutive home victory for Texas Tech, tying a school record. Isaiah Mizell added 182 receiving yards, marking his third consecutive game with at least 100 yards. It was the first time in his career that he achieved that feat in three straight games.
Arizona faced a setback when freshman receiver R.J. Mosley left the game with a serious left leg injury. The Wildcats had a chance to take the lead early in the fourth quarter when Noah Fifita overthrew an open Tyler Powell on fourth-and-1 from the Texas Tech 18-yard line. Arizona regained possession after Cameron Dickey fumbled, but a holding penalty on first down stalled the offense. Kedrick Reescano ran for a one-yard touchdown to give Arizona a 23-22 lead before the final score was set. Quinten Joyner recovered an onside kick after Arizona kicked a field goal with 22 seconds remaining.
Both teams entered the game tied for second place in the Big 12 behind undefeated No. 6 Utah. Texas Tech improved to 7-1 overall and 4-1 in conference play. Arizona dropped to 3-2 in the Big 12. Coach Joey McGuire said he was as frustrated as he had been in 32 years of coaching before the game, a sentiment reflected in his decision to start Castellanos. The Red Raiders responded with their first opening drive touchdown of the season on a 24-yard pass to Terrance Carter Jr.
Arizona travels to host TCU on Friday night. Texas Tech prepares to face West Virginia at home next Saturday.
Source: The Aegis
