Adrian Martinez and Deuce Vaughn combined for 341 yards rushing as No. 25 Kansas State pushed past Texas Tech in the fourth quarter for a 37-28 victory Saturday in a Big 12 game at Manhattan, Kan.
Martinez had three rushing touchdowns, as well as one passing, as Kansas State (4-1, 2-0 Big 12) extended its winning streak in the series to seven straight games.
Texas Tech quarterback Donovan Smith was 34 of 48 for 359 yards, with two touchdowns and two interceptions for Texas Tech (3-2, 1-1).
Martinez ran 57 yards on the first play of the game before taking the next snap and racing into the end zone for an 18-yard touchdown.
Texas Tech’s defense stiffened on the next two K-State drives as the Wildcats had to settle for a pair of field goals by Chris Tennant and a 13-0 lead at the end of the opening quarter.
Texas Tech got on track late in the first half, completing a nine-play, 86-yard touchdown drive to cut the lead to 13-7 with 1:24 left in the half. Smith hit Nehemiah Martinez with a 6-yard pass for the score. Prior to the drive, the Red Raiders had just 48 yards of total offense.
Trey Wolff added a 51-yard field goal on the final play of the first half to trim Texas Tech’s deficit to 13-10. Wolff hit a 39-yard field goal midway through the third quarter to tie the score at 13-13.
On the first play of the ensuing drive, Vaughn split the gap in the line and scooted 69 yards up the left sideline to reach the Texas Tech 8-yard line. Following an offensive holding penalty, Martinez hit Phillip Brooks with an 18-yard touchdown pass.
Tech responded with a seven-play, 75-yard touchdown drive to tie the game again at 20-20. Smith hit Xavier White with a 12-yard touchdown pass. Tech missed a chance to take its first lead of the game when Wolff missed a 42-yard field goal on the second play of the fourth quarter.
Martinez gave K-State the lead for good on a 69-yard touchdown run with 13:34 remaining after he raced untouched through the middle of the line. Tennant’s 32-yard field goal gave the Wildcats a 10-point lead with 9:07 left.
Martinez ran it in from the 12-yard line to give Kansas State a 37-20 lead with 5:54 left.
Smith scored on a 3-yard touchdown run with 2:23 left.
–Field Level Media
