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Texas Tech’s Defensive Stars Shine In Colorado Win, Earn Big 12 Honors
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- Texas Tech’s Defensive Stars Shine In Colorado Win, Earn Big 12 Honors
(Michael C. Johnson-Imagn Images)
Texas Tech did more than leave Boulder with a 29–7 victory.
The Red Raiders turned one defensive stop after another into a statement win, and Brice Pollock and Will Karoll have the Big 12 honors to show for it.
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MORE: Texas Tech's Second-Half Surges Continue in Win Over Colorado
Pollock was named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week after intercepting two passes in Texas Tech's win over Colorado.
Both picks helped set up field goals, keeping the Red Raiders within striking distance as the Buffaloes clung to a 7–3 lead at halftime.
It was the second multi-interception game of Pollock's career and pushed his career total to eight.
The cornerback's timing mattered. Texas Tech's defense grabbed four interceptions in all, including John Curry's fourth-quarter pick-six, and held Colorado scoreless after the opening drive.
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The Red Raiders then outscored the Buffaloes 26–0 in the second half. Pollock's takeaways helped turn a close, uneven game into a comfortable road win and earned the senior another conference honor.
Karoll was recognized on special teams after averaging 55.7 yards on three punts. His 66-yard punt was downed at Colorado's 1-yard line; Curry intercepted a pass on the very next play and returned it for a touchdown.
Karoll also launched a 67-yarder, his longest punt of the season.
The award marks Karoll's third Big 12 weekly honor this season. He's also leading the NCAA in punting average at 50 yards per attempt, according to the conference announcement.
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That consistency has given Texas Tech a field-position weapon, especially when the offense needs room to settle in.
The Red Raiders weren't flawless in Boulder. Colorado outgained Texas Tech, and the offense had a slow start.
But Tech protected the ball, found a go-ahead touchdown through Will Hammond and Terrance Carter Jr. late in the third quarter, and let its defense take over.
Coach Joey McGuire described the performance as ugly at times, but praised the team for finding a way to win.
MORE: Texas Tech's Terrance Carter Jr. Comes Alive with 'Dominant' Connection
That resilience helped Texas Tech improve to 5–0 for a second straight season.
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The Red Raiders head into a bye before hosting Arizona State on Oct. 17. For Pollock and Karoll, the honors recognize standout individual work; for Tech, they underline how defense and field position can rescue a game before the offense hits top gear.
