The West Virginia vs Texas Tech matchup delivered one of the most entertaining offensive shootouts of the 2026 college football season. No. 13 Texas Tech Red Raiders defeated the West Virginia Mountaineers 53-48 on Saturday night at Galaxy Stadium in Lubbock, Texas, surviving a late comeback attempt in a game that featured 101 combined points and 1,220 total yards.

Texas Tech quarterback Thomas Castellanos delivered a career-best performance, throwing five touchdown passes, including the decisive scoring connection with Kenny Johnson with just 2:44 remaining. His performance helped the Red Raiders improve to 8-1 overall and 5-1 in Big 12 play.

West Virginia football showed tremendous fight after falling behind by two touchdowns at halftime. The Mountaineers took a 48-41 lead in the fourth quarter but ultimately could not hold off the Red Raiders.

West Virginia vs Texas Tech Score and Game Result

The Texas Tech score reflected an explosive offensive performance, but the Mountaineers made the Red Raiders work until the final minutes.

The teams combined for 1,220 yards of total offense, with Texas Tech recording 638 yards and West Virginia producing 582. The game also featured 13 plays of at least 30 yards, highlighting the explosive nature of both offenses.

Thomas Castellanos Leads Texas Tech With Five Touchdown Passes

Thomas Castellanos was the biggest difference-maker for Texas Tech.

Making his second start since replacing Will Hammond, Castellanos produced a career-high five touchdown passes. He completed 18 of 27 attempts for 362 passing yards without throwing an interception.

He also contributed 102 rushing yards, giving the Texas Tech quarterback another dimension that West Virginia struggled to contain.

His most important moment came late in the fourth quarter. With Texas Tech trailing 48-41, Castellanos helped lead a crucial nine-play, 69-yard drive.

The key play came on fourth-and-3, when he delivered a pass over the middle to Micah Hudson for a 26-yard gain. That completion kept the drive alive and set up the go-ahead touchdown.

Castellanos then connected with Kenny Johnson on a five-yard scoring pass with 2:44 remaining to put Texas Tech ahead 53-48.

For Texas Tech football, the performance demonstrated why the Red Raiders remain serious contenders in the Big 12 race.

Michael Hawkins Jr. Delivers Three Rushing Touchdowns for WVU

Michael Hawkins Jr. was another major storyline in the West Virginia vs Texas Tech game.

The Mountaineers quarterback finished with 303 passing yards on just 11 completions while recording three rushing touchdowns.

Those three scores extended his FBS-leading rushing touchdown total to 19, tying a West Virginia record established by Ira Errett Rodgers in 1919.

Hawkins helped WVU erase a 14-point halftime deficit and take control during the fourth quarter.

One of his biggest contributions was his ability to create explosive plays through the passing game and on the ground. West Virginia’s offense repeatedly found opportunities against the Texas Tech defense.

However, Hawkins’ final moments were disappointing. His stumble in the end zone resulted in a safety during the final two minutes, ending West Virginia’s hopes of completing the comeback.

Despite the loss, Hawkins showed why he has become an important part of the Mountaineers’ offense.

Texas Tech vs West Virginia: Key Player Stats

Here are the standout performances from the Texas Tech vs West Virginia matchup.

J’Koby Williams provided another major offensive spark for the Red Raiders. He broke free for a 75-yard touchdown run and finished with 160 rushing yards. He also added a 43-yard reception that helped set up another score.

For West Virginia, redshirt freshman Taron Francis enjoyed a breakout performance. He caught his first three passes of the season for 169 yards, including a 73-yard touchdown reception. Another 75-yard reception helped set up a score.

How West Virginia Nearly Upset No. 13 Texas Tech

The Mountaineers entered the game as underdogs but showed they could compete with one of the Big 12’s strongest teams.

Texas Tech controlled much of the first half, producing 494 yards of total offense and building a 14-point halftime advantage.

However, WVU football completely changed the momentum after the break.

K.J. Henson recorded a 15-yard sack of Castellanos on Texas Tech’s first offensive play of the second half. That defensive play helped spark a significant turnaround.

The Red Raiders were forced to punt on their first four second-half possessions, allowing West Virginia to capitalize.

The Mountaineers scored three touchdowns and eventually took a 48-41 lead in the fourth quarter.

Texas Tech, however, responded when it mattered most.

A crucial defensive stop on third-and-1 prevented West Virginia from extending its advantage. Rather than attempting to continue the drive, Mountaineers coach Rich Rodriguez chose to punt.

Castellanos then led the decisive scoring drive, connecting with Hudson and Johnson to reclaim the lead.

The final safety made the margin five points and sealed the 53-48 victory.

What the Result Means for Texas Tech and West Virginia

Texas Tech remains in the Big 12 championship race

The victory improved the Red Raiders to 8-1 overall and 5-1 in conference play.

Texas Tech is still positioned to challenge for a second consecutive Big 12 championship and another College Football Playoff opportunity.

However, the defensive performance raised some concerns. The Red Raiders surrendered 279 rushing yards to West Virginia, continuing a recent trend of allowing big rushing performances.

Texas Tech has now given up at least 255 rushing yards in two of its last three games.

The Red Raiders will need to improve defensively as the season approaches its most important stage.

West Virginia shows offensive potential despite defeat

West Virginia dropped to 5-4 overall and 2-4 in Big 12 play.

The Mountaineers have struggled defensively throughout the season, but their second-half performance demonstrated their offensive potential.

Michael Hawkins Jr. and Taron Francis were particularly impressive, while the team’s ability to produce 582 total yards against a ranked opponent was another positive.

Still, failing to close out a seven-point fourth-quarter advantage will be frustrating for Rich Rodriguez and his coaching staff.

What’s Next for Texas Tech and WVU Football?

Both teams will return to action next Saturday.

• West Virginia: The Mountaineers will host Kansas as they look to bounce back from the narrow defeat.

• Texas Tech: The Red Raiders will travel to face Oklahoma State, hoping to maintain their position in the Big 12 championship race.

The upcoming games will be important for both programs as they approach the final stretch of the 2026 college football season.

Mountaineers vs Red Raiders: Where to Watch?

Fans searching for Mountaineers vs Red Raiders where to watch information should check the official team schedules, Big 12 listings and television broadcast announcements for the upcoming matchup.

The November 7, 2026, meeting between West Virginia and Texas Tech has already concluded, with the Red Raiders winning 53-48.

For fans following future Texas Tech games and the next WVU game, official team websites and college football broadcast listings are the best places to find confirmed kickoff times and television information.

Final Takeaway

The West Virginia vs Texas Tech matchup was a classic Big 12 shootout featuring explosive offense, dramatic momentum swings and a thrilling finish.

Thomas Castellanos delivered five touchdown passes, while Michael Hawkins Jr. recorded three rushing touchdowns and nearly guided West Virginia to a major upset.

Ultimately, Texas Tech made the biggest plays in the closing minutes. Kenny Johnson’s go-ahead touchdown catch and the Red Raiders’ late defensive stop secured a 53-48 victory.

Texas Tech moves forward with its Big 12 championship and College Football Playoff ambitions alive, while West Virginia will look to turn its offensive positives into victories in the remaining games.