Two teams with potent offenses and shaky defenses met Saturday in Lubbock, Texas, and the back-and-forth result was predictable.

Texas Tech edged Cincinnati 44-41, with a defensive touchdown providing some breathing room in the fourth quarter that was just enough.

After forcing the Red Raiders’ first punt of the game, the Bearcats took possession with 1:50 left in the fourth quarter. Cincinnati drove to the Texas Tech 32-yard line, but Nathan Hawks missed a 51-yard field goal at the right edge as time expired.

The Red Raiders (4-1, 2-0 Big 12) scored on all but two offenses and stole a touchdown on AJ McCarty’s 51-yard pick-six for a 41-27 lead with 12:40 left.

The Bearcats (3-2, 1-1) responded quickly when Manny Covey, in the game after injuries to Cincinnati’s first two running backs, caught a screen pass and ran loose for a 71-yard touchdown.

Texas Tech extended the lead to 44-34 on Gino Garcia’s 27-yard field goal at 7:50. But the Bearcats responded with a 10-play, 75-yard drive that Covey capped with a 3-yard touchdown catch from Brendan Sorsby at 3:24.

Before the game-winning defensive score, the teams went back and forth in a game that ended in a 24-24 draw at halftime.

The Red Raiders converted a Cincinnati fumble into a 31-24 lead before securing their first two-point lead on McCarty’s interception.

Texas Tech running back Tahj Brooks dismantled the Bearcats’ defense for 172 yards on 32 carries and reached the end zone twice, part of a 482-yard night for the Red Raiders. Quarterback Behren Morton completed 19 of 29 throws for 251 yards and two touchdowns.

Sorsby excelled in the loss with 426 yards and four touchdowns on 31 of 45 passes. His interception against McCarty was his first of the season.

Sorsby also led Cincinnati with 52 rushing yards and helped the Bearcats rush for 555 yards.

–Field level media