Colombi, Texas Tech run all over Kansas in 41-14 drubbing

Updated Oct. 16, 2021 8:42 p.m. ET

Associated Press

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Henry Colombi threw for a touchdown, ran for another as Texas Tech had four rushing touchdowns in a 41-14 win over Kansas on Saturday afternoon.

Colombi was 14-for-20 passing for 124 yards and added 35 rushing yards while Jason Bean was 11-for-21 passing for 80 yards and one interception for Kansas.

“I think it was important for us to come out here and execute today and we did it on both sides of the ball," Colombi said. "Every position played well today and I think we spread the ball around.”

Texas Tech (5-2, 2-2 Big 12 Conference) had three rushing touchdowns — by Colombi, Erik Ezukanma and Myles Price to lead 24-0 at halftime. Donovan Smith added a rushing touchdown in the third quarter.

“Proud of guys for coming on the road and playing a very disciplined football game," Texas Tech head coach Matt Wells said. "I think the key was starting fast and jumped out and played well on both sides.”

The past two seasons combined, this matchup had been decided by a total of six points. Texas Tech showed this year there’s still a big difference between the programs. The Raiders held Kansas to 20 passing yards and only four first downs in the first half.

Texas Tech had 438 yards with 244 of those coming on the ground. Sarodorick Thompson ran for 83 yards and Ezukanma had 76 receiving yards.

The Jayhawks (1-5, 0-3) Luke Grimm had 33 receiving yards and a touchdown and Devin Neal ran for 54 yards.

The Red Raiders were spectacular on third downs going 9-for-11 and held Kansas to 5-for-13. They were also a perfect 6-for-6 in the red zone and Kansas was 2-for-2.

“That was disappointing,” Kansas head coach Lance Leipold. “We missed a field goal in the second quarter, and we turned the ball over. We show flashes, but our third down situations are not good. I thought we would’ve played better today.”

One bright spot for Kansas happened in the final minute when they scored two touchdowns. Miles Kendrick relieved Bean at quarterback and found Grimm for a 14-yard touchdown pass and then Lawrence Arnold for a 13-yard touchdown. Kendrick went 4-for-7 for 48 yards in the final drives of the game.

The Jayhawks forced two turnovers and committed one.

“We need to stack success and we need to do everything we can to take advantage of the opportunity we have against Kansas State next week," Wells said.

THE TAKEAWAY

Kansas: The Jayhawks have been competitive against the Red Raiders recently, but were outmatched this season. Their last conference win was against Texas Tech two years ago.

Texas Tech: The Red Raiders dominated from the first possession and are now just one win away from being bowl eligible.

UP NEXT

Texas Tech hosts Kansas State on Saturday

Kansas stays at home to take on Oklahoma next Saturday.

___

More AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25.