Morton, Gill-Howard Power No. 24 Texas Tech to 62-14 Route of Kent State

AP Photo/Justin Rex

No. 24 Texas Tech continued its dominant start to the 2025 season with another lopsided win, this time dismantling Kent State 62-14 Saturday afternoon at Jones AT&T Stadium. Quarterback Behren Morton threw three touchdowns in a sharp first-half performance, and defensive lineman Skyler Gill-Howard added a 55-yard pick-six as the Red Raiders jumped out to a 48-0 halftime lead and never looked back. Texas Tech (2-0) has now outscored its opponents 129-21 through two weeks, following last week’s 67-7 demolition of FCS Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Despite being listed as questionable all week with a hyperextended knee, Morton started and was highly efficient, completing 18 of 26 passes for 258 yards — all in the first half. “I knew he was going to play,” head coach Joey McGuire said. “Behren is just a different cat. The way he progressed through the week, there was no doubt.”

The Red Raiders scored on their first three possessions, extending a streak that began last week. They’ve now scored on 14 consecutive drives to open the season. Wideout Reggie Virgil hauled in two of Morton’s three touchdown passes, while running back Cameron Dickey added two scores on the ground. But the highlight of the day came from an unlikely source: 290-pound defensive tackle Skyler Gill-Howard. Early in the second quarter, with Kent State struggling to generate any momentum, Gill-Howard snagged a tipped screen pass and rumbled 55 yards untouched for a touchdown, putting Tech up 38-0. “I played running back in high school, a little tight end and receiver too,” Gill-Howard joked. “Back when I was 50 pounds lighter. Maybe you’ll see that again in the future.”

The Golden Flashes (1-1), coming off their first win in 22 games last week against Merrimack, had no answers for Texas Tech’s aggressive defense and fast-paced offense. Kent State failed to record positive total yardage until midway through the second quarter. Miscues—including a punter kneeling to field a snap and a fumbled shotgun exchange—only made matters worse.

Texas Tech’s third-string running back Adam Hill led all rushers with 127 yards on 16 carries, all in the second half. While he lost a fumble that led to Kent State’s second touchdown, Hill has now rushed for 206 yards this season — all after halftime, when games have long been decided. “I know he’s going to bring up the fumble first,” McGuire said. “But I’m proud of Adam. These reps are huge for him.”

Kent State quarterback Dru DeShields accounted for both of the team’s touchdowns late in the game, throwing for one and running for another after the game was well out of reach.