30 Greatest Games in Texas Tech History
Oct 13, 2012; Lubbock, TX, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders tight end Jace Amaro (22) scores a touchdown as West Virginia Mountaineers Darwin Cook (25) defends in the second half at Jones AT&T Stadium. Texas Tech won 49-14. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
No. 28 – West Virginia 2012
The 28th greatest game in Texas Tech history is a classic Jones Stadium ambush. The West Virginia Mountaineers came into the game ranked No. 5 in the nation while Texas Tech was unranked.
Behind Heisman Trophy frontrunner, quarterback Geno Smith, the Mountaineers were 5-0 and had just beaten Baylor and Texas in consecutive weeks. However, the Mountaineers would soon learn that playing in Jones Stadium is an experience like no other in college football.
Amid gusty winds, Texas Tech’s quarterback Seth Doege passed for six touchdowns and 499 yards. Meanwhile, Smith was only 29-55 for 275 yards. Afterwards, Smith and his head coach Dana Holgorsen blamed the strong west Texas wind for Smith’s lackluster performance.
Texas Tech had 18 plays of 15 yards or more against the West Virginia defense and tight end Jace Amaro carved up the Mountaineer secondary. On only five receptions, Amaro amassed 156 yards including a 61-yard touchdown.
The loss sent West Virginia into a tailspin, as they would lose their next four games falling out of the polls. The victory was the biggest to date in the turbulent tenure of Texas Tech head coach Tommy Tuberville and for at least one afternoon, the Texas Tech fans were united and felt good about their football program.
Next: Nebraska 2004