LUBBOCK, Texas — A year after Davis Webb rallied Texas Tech to a fourth-quarter comeback over West Virginia, he lived life on the opposite side.
“This is by far the worst loss I’ve ever had in my life,” said Webb.
The Red Raiders led by 11 at halftime and by 14 in the final six minutes, yet couldn’t finish off the Mountaineers, who recovered for a 37-34 victory that sucked the life out of Jones AT&T Stadium. Webb racked up 348 passing yards and fired three first-half touchdowns, but in the final minute he missed on a third-and-3 pass that might have given Texas Tech a chance at the game-winning kick instead of the visitors.
Instead of risking a fourth-and-3 gamble at the West Virginia 46, coach Kliff Kingsbury chose to punt, leading to a touchback that set up WVU’s winning series with 52 seconds left.
“I thought we could pin them back, but we ended up kicking it in the end zone,” said Kingsbury. “On second thought, had we known that, we probably would gave went for it.”
With Texas Tech averaging 7.6 yards per snap, did Webb lobby to go for the fourth-down try?
“No, that’s Coach Kingsbury’s decision,” he said. “If we didn’t (pick up the first down), that’s a heck of field position for them.
“We should have got that third-and-3. I missed that slant a little high. We should have completed that pass. My fault.”
Long before Webb’s incompletion killed the last drive, Texas Tech (2-4, 0-3) failed to capitalize on trips into West Virginia territory. The Red Raiders settled for back-to-back field goals at the WVU 4- and 8-yard lines in the third quarter and another series ended on a failed fourth-and-1 run at the Mountaineers’ 35.
Still leading 34-27 at the 5:55 mark, Texas Tech suffered only its second three-and-out of the day, returning possession to West Virginia with 4:39 left.
“We had so many opportunities to put this game away,” Webb said. “We’re close, close, close.”