The Red Raiders were kickstarted by a pair of pick-sixes from their veteran linebacker.
LUBBOCK -- Texas Tech linebacker Austin Romaine started the second quarter by becoming the first player in over a decade to record back-to-back interceptions returned for touchdowns in the No. 11-ranked Red Raiders’ 49-14 win over Sam Houston.
The Kansas State transfer had just one career interception in his prior three seasons of college football, and coincidentally, it came against Texas Tech.
On Saturday, Galaxy Stadium came alive when his breakout sequence flipped a quiet 7-0 lead into a three-score edge.
LIVE UPDATES: Texas Tech Overcomes 4 Turnovers to Beat Sam Houston
"I was in disbelief that I did it twice in a row," Romaine said after jumping a route and sprinting through a field of bodies for his second score. One play earlier from scrimmage, Romaine leapt into the air to grab a batted pass and ran untouched into the end zone.
Romaine added eight tackles for a Red Raiders defense that held Sam Houston scoreless in the second half.
Romaine transferred into a Texas Tech linebacker core that was the foundation of a historic defense from a year ago. With Ben Roberts and John Curry returning, Romaine slid into the void left by All-American Jacob Rodriguez. An awfully tall task trying to fill the shoes of a Heisman Trophy candidate.
Tech coach Joey McGuire sent Romiane words of wisdom before the game that he credits for his breakout day.
"I just feel like overall the past couple games, I wasn't playing myself," Romaine said. "I was doing too much thinking and before the game, Coach McGuire sent me a message saying, 'Cut it loose and play free.' And I just did a lot less thinking this game."
Despite a first half filled with hiccups on offense and special teams, the Texas Tech defense was what kept the Red Raiders in control, even beyond Romaine's two picks.
Although the Bearkats scored on back-to-back drives in the second quarter, the Tech defense forced Sam Houston into four three-and-outs in their final seven drives. That period included five punts, a turnover on downs and an eight-play drive ending with the Red Raiders' getting their third interception of the game.
"I think he's really been pressing," McGuire said of Romaine. "He hasn't played the way he wants to play and expects to play. My message to him this morning ... I said, 'Man, I don't need Jacob Rodriguez. He's not coming back. I need Austin Romaine. There's a reason we brought you here. Go out there and be Austin Romaine. Go be that guy.' And he showed up today."
Romaine carries that newfound confidence into the rest of conference play as Texas Tech remains unbeaten through the nonconference schedule and its Big 12 opener
"I'm me," he said, "and I just need to continue being me."
Perhaps thinking less leads to more.
The Red Raiders play at Colorado on Saturday, Oct. 3, with kickoff slated for 6:30 p.m. CT on FOX.
