Texas Tech ends Manhattan skid with 43-20 win as Morton returns

Texas Tech defeated Kansas State 43-20 on Saturday at Bill Snyder Family Stadium in Manhattan, ending an eight-game losing streak in Manhattan and handing the Wildcats a setback in Big 12 play. The Red Raiders forced five turnovers and converted Kansas State miscues into decisive scores while quarterback Behren Morton returned from a leg injury to throw for 249 yards and two touchdowns.

The game opened as a sloppy affair, with both teams trading mistakes, but Texas Tech capitalized more consistently. Morton threw an interception on his first drive, yet the Red Raiders recovered from the early miscue and built a lead by turning Kansas State turnovers into points. A fumble by Jayce Brown led directly to a touchdown that gave Texas Tech an early advantage, and a second fumble deepened the Wildcats' problems when a turnover on the fourth play of the second half set up a 41-yard rushing score by JKoby Williams. Williams finished with 135 yards on the ground and a touchdown. Late in the fourth quarter, linebacker John Curry returned an Avery Johnson fumble for a touchdown, putting the game out of reach.

Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson finished with 199 passing yards, one...