LUBBOCK, Texas — For Rushel Shell, it truly felt like the longest yard.
His game-tying touchdown on fourth-and-inches required second and third effort—and a video booth confirmation—before West Virginia officially pulled even with 2:02 remaining.
The Mountaineers subsequently won it 37-34 on Josh Lambert’s 55-yard last-play field goal, but several teammates thought Shell’s barely-in touchdown swung the game.
“When we tied it up we knew we were going to win,” said receiver Jordan Thompson. “We felt the momentum shift. And the fans were out of it because they felt the momentum shift too.”
Was it the toughest yard Shell ever needed as a college running back?
“Definitely,” he said. “All that was running through my mind was: ‘Anything that’s in your way, just run it over and get in there.'”
Texas Tech’s rush defense, abysmal all season and vulnerable again Saturday, nearly delivered a rousing goal-line stand. Josh Keys and Micah Awe belted Shell short of the end zone on third-and-1.
The Pitt transfer said his linemen and fullback Elijah Wellman knew they had to make fourth down count.
“You don’t want to give them the game over 1 yard,” Shell said. “We knew we could get a yard.”
And so the sophomore churned through the pile on his 24th and final carry of the afternoon, picking up his 110th yard by narrowly crossing the plane. On the sideline, offensive line coach Ron Crook was relieved at the score—no matter how narrow the margin.
“I thought on the third down we should have scored, but I love that our guys stayed with us on fourth down,” Crook said. “Next week, nobody’s going to remember that he barely got it in.”