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Texas Tech football: Hidden moments in Saturday’s win over the Mountaineers

By Matthew Conner

LUBBOCK, TEXAS - OCTOBER 24: Receiver Erik Ezukanma #13 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders signals after picking up a first down during the first half of the college football game against the West Virginia Mountaineers on October 24, 2020 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TEXAS - OCTOBER 24: Receiver Erik Ezukanma #13 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders signals after picking up a first down during the first half of the college football game against the West Virginia Mountaineers on October 24, 2020 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /
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LUBBOCK, TEXAS – OCTOBER 24: Receiver Erik Ezukanma #13 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders signals during the first half of the college football game against the West Virginia Mountaineers on October 24, 2020 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TEXAS – OCTOBER 24: Receiver Erik Ezukanma #13 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders signals during the first half of the college football game against the West Virginia Mountaineers on October 24, 2020 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /

Colombi hits Ezukanma on 4th-and-long

4th-and-11 is never a great down for an offense, especially when facing the Big 12’s top defense.  However, it was no problem for Colombi on Saturday.

With Tech ahead 13-7, the Red Raiders had moved the ball inside the WVU 30 but then the drive hit a speed bump.  That’s when a holding call against left tackle Ethan Carde was flagged for holding, one of only three penalties Tech would incur on the day.

Thus, Tech was in a tough spot on 4th down.  A field goal of over 40 yards into a stiff wind seemed out of the question given that kicker Trey Wolff has yet to make a field goal this season.

Therefore Tech had no choice but to try to pick up the first down.  And to do so, they had to ask Colombi to make a play with his arm.  That’s exactly what he did.

At the WVU 28, Colombi fired a bullet to Ezukanma who hauled it in for a 14-yard gain to the 14.  That was the best throw of the day from Colombi.

On the play, Ezukanma was tightly covered.  In fact, the WVU defensive back had as good of a position on him as possible.

But Colombi delivered a perfect strike and Ezukanma made a contested catch to keep the ball with the Red Raiders. Three plays later the ball would be in the endzone thanks to an 11-yard strike from Colombi to Trey Cleveland and Tech would have the game’s only double-digit lead.

Everyone hoped that Colombi would provide the offense with a spark and that’s what happened on this crucial 4th-down play.  Hopefully, that’s a sign of things to come as Tech needs more plays like that from the QB position.

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