K-State Falls at Texas Tech

LUBBOCK, Texas -- Kansas State pulled within one possession late in the fourth quarter, but it was not enough as the Wildcats fell to Texas Tech, 59-44, at Jones AT&T Stadium on Saturday.

The setback extended the Wildcats' losing streak to six games, the longest since dropping seven straight in 1989.

Down 28-7 after one quarter of action, K-State rallied to within 52-44 with 3:38 remaining in the contest behind quarterback Joe Hubener's three touchdown runs. However, Texas Tech (6-5, 3-5 Big 12) was able to recover the on-side kick before scoring for the final time with 1:02 to play.

Hubener had a productive afternoon, throwing for 289 yards on 19-of-40 passing and two touchdowns to go with his three scores on the ground. Running back Charles Jones fell one yard short of a 100-yard day, rushing for 99 yards, as he became the 27th player in school history with 1,000 career rushing yards.

Receiver Kyle Klein posted the first 100-yard receiving day for the Wildcats (3-6, 0-6 Big 12), catching a career-high six passes for a career-high 131 yards. Wide out Dominique Heath's 6-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter moved him into fourth place in school history in receptions (22) and yards (267) by a freshman. He also moved to third in school history with three touchdowns by a freshman.

On defense, sophomore defensive back Kaleb Prewett set a career high in tackles with 12, three more than his previous career high set against Oklahoma State on Oct. 3. Fellow sophomore Will Geary recorded his second-career forced fumble and recovered his first fumble of his career. Elijah Lee recorded 11 tackles, including a sack.

Texas Tech sophomore quarterback Patrick Mahomes completed 33-of-42 passes for three touchdowns and added 14 yards on the ground for one touchdown. Senior running back DeAndre Washington had a career day, rushing for a career-high 248 yards for a career-high three touchdowns. The 658 yards of total offense tallied by the Red Raiders was the most by a Wildcat opponent since 2011.

Texas Tech opened the scoring less than three minutes into the game, as Mahomes connected with Justin Stockton for a 17-yard touchdown pass. Mahomes threw for 49 yards on the drive.

On the ensuing kickoff, the Wildcats used strong downfield blocking to open up a hole for Morgan Burns, who returned the kick 93 yards for a touchdown to tie the game at 7-7. The score was Burns' second kick return of the season and the first since a 100-yard score in the season opener against South Dakota on Sept. 5.

Tech took a 14-7 lead on its second offense possession as Washington rushed for a five-yard score. The drive was highlighted by a 53-yard reception by wide-out Jakeem Grant.

Washington scored his second touchdown of the quarter on an 80-yard scamper to give the Red Raiders a 21-7 lead. The touchdown run was the longest rush of Washington's career, snapping his previous best of 72 yards set against Iowa State in 2014.

The Red Raiders scored their fourth touchdown on as many possessions, as Stockton rushed in from seven yards to extend the lead to 28-7, capping a 4-play, 63-yard drive. Tech's 28 points in the first quarter were the most points scored in a single quarter in school history.

K-State scored its first offensive touchdown at the 6:02 mark of the second quarter, as Hubener finished off a 10-play, 71-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown run to cut the lead to 28-14. Klein caught a 30-yard pass from Hubener on 2nd and 10 to set up the score.

Mahomes threw his second touchdown pass of the first half, connecting with wide out Devin Lauderdale on a 19-yard touchdown strike to extend the lead to 35-14. Washington had two, double-digit rushes on the drive to help set the Mahomes pass.

The Wildcats answered with 2:04 remaining in the second quarter, as Hubener rushed for his second touchdown of the game. Back-to-back passes of 35 and 27 yards from Hubener highlighted the Wildcats' scoring drive.

K-State took advantage of good field position after a Red Raider fumble and pulled within a touchdown as Hubener scored his third, 1-yard touchdown of the day. Jones rushed for 18 yards on the drive before Hubener scored.

Texas Tech answered just over two minutes later as Stockton caught a 20-yard pass from Mahomes to push the lead to 42-28. Mahomes was a perfect 5-of-5 passing on the drive for 57 yards on the drive.

Placekicker Clayton Hatfield hit a 48-yard field goal to give the Red Raiders a 45-28 lead with 5:14 left in the third quarter.

Mahomes scored his first rushing touchdown of the game from six yards out, capping a 16-play, 87-yard drive to give Tech a 52-28 lead with 11:30 remaining in the fourth quarter.

The Wildcats scored a touchdown on their next drive as Hubener hooked up with Heath on a 6-yard pass. A failed two-point conversion would bring the Wildcats within 52-34. The score came on 4th and goal.

After the defense forced a three-and-out, Hubener hit Klein on a 33-yard touchdown strike to cut the lead to 52-41 with 5:04 remaining in the game. The lead was cut to a single possession after an on-side kick recovered by the K-State set up a 43-yard field goal by placekicker Jack Cantele, capping a 6-play, 26-yard drive.

Washington sealed the game with 1:02 remaining, punching it in from 12 yards out to give the Red Raiders a 59-44 advantage. Washington went for 36 yards during the final drive, which covered 43 yards in seven plays.

K-State returns home next Saturday as it hosts the Iowa State Cyclones. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. CT and will be aired on Fox Sports 1.

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Team Stats

Joe Hubener

Players Mentioned

Morgan Burns

Jack Cantele

Will Geary

Dominique Heath

Joe Hubener

Charles Jones

Kyle Klein

Elijah Lee

Kaleb Prewett

Players Mentioned

Morgan Burns

Jack Cantele

Will Geary

Dominique Heath

Joe Hubener

Charles Jones

Kyle Klein

Elijah Lee

Kaleb Prewett

Kansas State University Athletics