Texas Tech turned in one of its best offensive games of the season with a new starting quarterback against one of the country's best defenses, posting a 34-27 victory over West Virginia on Saturday in Lubbock, Texas.

However, the game turned in the Red Raiders' favor because of their defense. West Virginia made one final lunge, but quarterback Jared Doege's last-ditch pass to the end zone was knocked down.

Henry Colombi got the start at quarterback for Tech (2-3, 1-3 Big 12) after he twice relieved longtime starter Alan Bowman earlier this season. The graduate transfer was solid in his first start since high school: 169 yards passing on 22-of-28 passing with 40 rushing yards. He threw for a touchdown and ran for another.

Texas Tech grabbed the fourth-quarter lead on a defensive score with 8:44 to play. Doege hit Sam James for a short pass on the left flat, where Jacob Morgenstern jarred the ball loose and Zech McPhearson scooped it up and raced 56 yards for a touchdown. It would prove to be the game-winner.

Prior to that turning point, the teams jockeyed for field position with five consecutive punts between them. The Mountaineers (3-2, 2-2) had seemingly gained the upper hand when they took possession in Red Raiders territory with 9:33 on the clock.

Tech controlled most of the first half, thanks to the Colombi-led offense, and led 20-13 at the intermission.

West Virginia cashed in on a Red Raiders fumble on the first play from scrimmage in the third quarter to pull even. Texas Tech scored three plays later on a Doege to T.J. Banks 2-yard TD throw.

With Colombi providing a dual threat, Texas Tech responded with a 73-yard drive that mixed an effective running game and short Colombi passes and yielded the go-ahead touchdown when Tahj Books scored from 5 yards out.

The Mountaineers evened the score at 27-27 with 6:00 left in the third on a Leddie Brown 1-yard run, culminating a 10-play drive.

Brooks and Colombi were part of Tech's 179-yard rushing performance against a Mountaineers defense that came in ranked No. 1 nationally in total defense. SaRodorick Thompson led the Red Raiders with 68 yards rushing.

--Field Level Media