The Longhorns hold off the Cowboys to begin conference play

Big 12 Report: Texas takes step in right direction

Big 12 Report: Texas takes step in right direction
Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images

Results that matter

Texas 36 Oklahoma State 30

The Longhorns held off the Oklahoma State Cowboys for their first Big 12 win of the season. The Cowboys held a slight lead for a while but Sam Ehlinger and company were way too much for the Cowboys defense. This is a really solid win for the Longhorns as Oklahoma State has one of the best offenses they will face outside of Oklahoma. It was really important for Ehlinger after the disappointing performances against the Cowboys in the past.

SMU 41 TCU 38

Not the best showing for TCU as they drop a pseudo-rivalry game. They got smoked in the first half and had to play catch up but it wasn't enough. Nobody is sure if TCU is going to figure it out on offense and their defense isn't near as good as it has been on occasion. This is a bad loss for Gary Patterson's bunch.

Studs of the week

Texas QB Sam Ehlinger

Ehlinger balled out against the Cowboys. He was amazing after failing more than a few times against the Cowboys in the past. He looked every bit the leader and playmaker the Horns need him to be.

Iowa State QB Brock Purdy

Finally some offensive excellence from Purdy, even if it was against ULM. He finished with 435 through the air and four touchdowns. The Cyclones have had a disappointing start but what they want to accomplish in the Big 12 is still in front of them. If they get this Brock Purdy they will be a tough out for a lot of teams.

Must-watch game: Baylor hosts Brock

Iowa State at Baylor

This wouldn't have been the matchup if Texas Tech had a healthy QB. They don't so a refreshed Brock Purdy takes on fellow gunslinger Charlie Brewer in Waco. This has shootout potential and the winner could have the inside track on a top four finish in the conference. We could see Brock and Brewer combine for a ton of yards and touchdowns.

Who better ball?

Texas Tech's Quarterback

Alan Bowman is down and whoever starts for Texas Tech has a tall task. Head coach Matt Wells better have them ready to play or the Red Raiders will get embarrassed in Norman. The Sooners can score at will, even with Tech playing slightly better on defense than recent memory. If the Texas Tech chosen starter doesn't play well it will be a long trip back home.

Big 12 Rankings

1. Oklahoma

2. Texas

3. Oklahoma State

4. Baylor

5. Kansas State

6. Iowa State

7. West Virginia

8. TCU

9. Kansas

10. Texas Tech

big 12college football

Most Popular

SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome

Listen Live

ESPN Houston 97.5 FM
Red Sox defeat the Astros, 4-1. Photo by Maria Lysaker/Getty Images.

Rookie Ceddanne Rafaela doubled twice with two RBIs and fellow rookie David Hamilton added a solo homer in the ninth inning to lead the Boston Red Sox to a 4-1 win over the Houston Astros on Wednesday.

Rafaela’s first double off Justin Verlander (3-3) gave Boston a 2-1 lead in the second inning. He drove in another run with a double with two outs in the seventh.

Hamilton’s home run to right field off Seth Martinez made it 4-1 with two outs in the ninth.

The Red Sox, who were swept by the AL West-leading Astros at home earlier this month, won this series after getting a 6-5 victory Tuesday night.

Alex Bregman hit his first career leadoff home run in his return to the lineup after missing five games with a swollen right elbow. But the Astros struggled at the plate the rest of the day, going 0 for 7 with runners in scoring position after finishing 0 for 8 Tuesday.

Bregman was batting first for just the third time this season with Jose Altuve getting a rare day off.

Verlander allowed four hits and two runs with six strikeouts in five innings in his first start since June 9. The 41-year-old, who was out with stiffness in his neck, threw 76 pitches after tossing 57 in his second rehabilitation start Thursday.

Red Sox starter Cooper Criswell permitted four hits and a run in 4 2/3 innings. Josh Winckowski (4-1) pitched a scoreless sixth for the win and Chris Martin struck out one in the ninth for his first save.

The Astros had a chance to take the lead in the seventh. Jake Meyers and Mauricio Dubón hit back-to-back singles with no outs in the bottom of the seventh and they both moved up a base on a wild pitch by Greg Weissert.

Pinch-hitter Jon Singleton struck out before pinch-hitter Trey Cabbage walked to load the bases. Bregman was retired on a foul ball Wilyer Abreu caught in foul territory before Weissert was replaced by Brennan Bernardino.

He struck out Yordan Alvarez on an outside pitch to end the threat and cause a frustrated Alvarez to toss his bat.

Jarren Duran, who went 4 for 4 Tuesday night, led off with a double before scoring on a one-out single by Triston Casas to put the Red Sox up early.

Connor Wong was on first with two outs in the second when Rafaela doubled off the wall in left field to put Boston back on top 2-1.

Masataka Yoshida singled to start the seventh and stole second base with one out. There were two outs in the inning when Rafaela doubled on a line drive to the corner of left field to score Yoshida and make it 3-1.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Astros: Martinez was sent to Triple-A Sugar Land after Tuesday night’s game to make room for Verlander on the roster. But he was recalled before Wednesday’s game after RHP Kaleb Ort was placed on the paternity list.

UP NEXT

Red Sox: Boston is off Thursday and hasn’t released its rotation for a three-game series against the Diamondbacks that starts Friday night.

Astros: Houston hasn’t announced its rotation for a four-game series that starts Thursday night in Baltimore.

alex bregmanastroshouston astrosjustin verlandermlb

SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome