Texas Tech’s defense kept piling up sacks Saturday, and the Red Raiders’ effort did more than slow Arizona down in a 34-26 win. It also pushed the season total to 25 while helping raise money for the Ronald McDonald House Southwest, formerly the RMDH Charities of the Southwest.
Noah Fifita took the brunt of it. Texas Tech brought him down five times, with the pass rush showing up in key moments all afternoon.
The first came in the opening quarter at 12:11, when Arizona had a 3rd-and-goal at the TTU8. OLB Trey White got to Fifita at the TTU18 for a 10-yard loss, and the Wildcats had to settle for a field goal.
Later in the first, with Arizona facing third-and-11, true freshman OLB LaDamion Guyton dropped Fifita for a six-yard loss at 5:59, forcing a punt.
The Red Raiders kept the pressure on in the fourth quarter. At 10:28, LB John Curry sacked Fifita at the TTU33 for a five-yard loss, turning the situation into a 3rd-and-16. Then at 3:47, DL AJ Holmes Jr. shut down another drive with a sack on the AZ23, setting up a 4th-and-20 and another Arizona punt.
Texas Tech’s final sack came with 1:44 left, when LB Austin Romaine and DL Mateen Ibarogba combined to take Fifita down on the AZ41, leaving the Wildcats with a 3rd-and-11.
Fans can still donate for every Red Raider sack, with four regular-season games left and a chance for more in the postseason.
Texas Tech Athletics has partnered with the Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Southwest for more than 25 years, and every sack adds to the total raised. Fans can pledge any dollar amount for each sack Texas Tech records this season through the Quarterback S.A.C.K. website.
The money goes to families who need it most. The Ronald McDonald House in Lubbock gives families a place to stay while a child receives medical care, including newborns in the NICU, children going through cancer treatment, and others needing medical care. Families from Covenant Children’s and UMC Children’s can also use Ronald McDonald Family Rooms inside the hospitals for a break, along with showers, laundry, coffee, snacks, and other basic needs.
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