LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Desmond Nisby had four touchdowns rushing, Justin Stockton ran for 161 yards with a score and Texas Tech’s high-flying offense pummeled Kansas on the ground in a 65-19 blowout Saturday.
Nic Shimonek still threw for 233 yards and two scores, and Justus Parker picked off two passes and returned one for a score, as the Red Raiders (4-1, 1-1 Big 12) beat Kansas for the 11th straight time.
Texas Tech has never lost to the Jayhawks (1-4, 0-2) in 10 tries in Lawrence.
Neither team ever got into rhythm, thanks in large part to nine video reviews called for by Big 12 officials. Six came in the first quarter — including three in a five-play stretch — which made referee Eddy Shelton more unpopular among Kansas fans than anyone on the Texas Tech sideline.
Kansas trailed 35-7 midway through the second quarter before slowly clawing its way back, spurred on by a change in quarterback from Peyton Bender to Carter Stanley. The two had shared snaps early in the game, but Bender was ineffective and Stanley’s moxie seemed to energize the offense.
But after getting within 35-19 on Taylor Martin’s touchdown run in late in the third quarter, and forcing a quick fumble, the Jayhawks gave the momentum right back. Stanley’s pass was tipped and picked, and Shimonek hit Keke Coutee with a quick touchdown pass to restore order.
Coutee had eight catches for 87 yards, while Quan Shorts and Derrick Willies also had TD grabs.
Stanley finished with 110 yards passing, while Bender — who had beaten out last year’s starter in fall camp — was 12 of 24 for 146 yards with a touchdown and an interception.
The Red Raiders’ win streak against Kansas is their longest against a Big 12 foe, and very few of the meetings have been close. Their average margin of victory is more than 21 points.
THE TAKEAWAY
Texas Tech has always been known for offense, but coach Kliff Kingsbury showed off the balanced of his Red Raiders this year. Nisby finished with 93 yards rushing. Tre King added 40 and Texas Tech piled up 313 yards while averaging 6 per carry.
Kansas couldn’t overcome a litany of mistakes: The Jayhawks were twice stuffed on fourth-and-1 in the first quarter, their two picks came at inopportune times, their defense missed a slew of tackles and running back Khalil Herbert — who had 291 yards rushing two weeks ago against West Virginia — only had 10 carries for 65 yards before departing with an injury in the third quarter.
UP NEXT
Texas Tech plays the second of three October road games Saturday at No. 23 West Virginia.
Kansas heads to Iowa State on Saturday for the first of back-to-back road games.