WVU Football's Stars of the Game Against Texas Tech

In a close-fought contest, West Virginia, after putting up just 10 points in the first half against Texas Tech, erupted for 27 points in the second half, defeating the Red Raiders 37-34 in Lubbock.

For the second time this season, Mountaineers’ placekicker Josh Lambert was called on in the final seconds to break the tie and capture the win. In Week 3 against Maryland, he hit a 47 yard field goal to beat the Terrapins 40-37 at the end of the game.

This week, with no time left on the clock, the 5-foot-11, 215-pound redshirt sophomore came thru again for the Old Gold and Blue on Saturday, booting a 55-yard field goal that allowed WVU to claim victory over TTU.

Dana Holgorsen’s crew for the fifth consecutive game racked up 550 yards of total offense and improved their record to 4-2 overall and 2-1 in the Big 12 Conference, besting the 1993 team that had four straight 500-yard offensive games.

Go grab another cup of coffee as we sit back, sift through the stats and determine the four players that helped WVU to get to a hard fought win on the road.

1) Even before putting up the game-winning 55-yard field goal at the end of the game, Lambert connected on a 42-yarder at 10:42 of the first quarter and a 38-yarder at 8:03 of the third quarter. While not perfect on the day, as he missed a 47-yarder in the fourth, Lambert did make all four of his extra point attempts.

For his efforts, the Garland, Texas native on Monday was named the Lou Groza Star of the Week, the Big 12 Special Teams Co-Player of the Week, and the College Football Performance National Placekicker of the Week.

After the win over Texas Tech, coach Dana Holgorsen told wvusports.com, “I knew when he missed one in the fourth quarter we were in great shape because I knew he would come back and drill one when we needed it.”

2) The WVU ground game was working on all cylinders as redshirt sophomore Rushel Shell had 110 yards on 24 carries and two touchdowns. The 5-foot-10, 215-pound running back’s second score capped off a seven play, 78-yard drive at 2:02 in the fourth quarter to knot the game up at 34 all.

3) Redshirt senior quarterback Clint Trickett had a good day at the office under center. The 6-foot-2, 186-pound signal caller completed 28 of 44 passes for 301 yards, no interceptions, and two touchdowns.

4) Senior wide receiver Kevin White had 13 receptions for 123 yards and one touchdown. His 26-yard touchdown reception at 5:55 in the fourth finished off a seven play, 75-yard drive that made the scoreboard read 34-27 and got WVU one step closer to tying up the contest.

Offense Honorable Mentions: Sophomore running back Wendell Smallwood averaged 8.2 yards per carry against the Red Raiders as he contributed 123 yards on 15 carries. Junior wide receiver Jordan Thompson chipped in six catches for 109 yards and one touchdown.

Defense Honorable Mentions: Redshirt junior linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski led the defense with nine solo stops and assisted on two more for a total of 11 tackles. Junior safety K.J. Dillon contributed an interception and broke up another pass while redshirt junior linebacker Shaq Petteway put up one sack in Lubbock

Special Teams Honorable Mention: Junior punter Nick O’Toole averaged 43-yards per punt on Saturday with his four punts totaling 172 yards, and putting two of them inside Texas Tech’s 20 yardline.

WVU Football: Four Players Who Led Mountaineers Victory Over Texas Tech

By Larry Snyder | Oct 13, 2014