Harrell passes many QBs on yardage lists in Tech win
MANHATTAN, Kan. – So much for Texas Tech experiencing a letdown, on the road, after an open week and against a little better competition.
Tied at 14 after a fast-paced beginning, Tech blew Kansas State’s doors off with 24 straight points in the final 10 minutes of the first half and went on to a 58-28 victory Saturday in its Big 12 Conference opener at Bill Snyder Family Stadium.
Red Raiders receiver Mike Crabtree (5) celebrates one of his two touchdown receptions on Saturday with defensive end Brandon Williams.
Tech quarterback Graham Harrell tied a career high with six touchdown passes and sneaked in for another. Harrell jumped from 10th to seventh on the NCAA career passing chart – his 454 yards giving him 12,709. Along the way, he passed Tech ex Kliff Kingsbury for the school and conference marks as well as former collegians Chris Redman from Louisville and Luke McCown from Louisiana Tech.
But it was more than the numbers that Tech coach Mike Leach noticed.
“Why I think it’s the best game he’s played was he managed the unit better in this one than any of the others,” Leach said. “He managed the unit, responded to things without ever getting rattled, improvised a few times when he had to and did a real good job staying within himself and just making routine plays.”
A blustery south wind clocked at 21 mph gusting to 29 didn’t keep Harrell from completing 38 of 51 passes. Just as impressive, Tech scored 14 points in the first quarter and 7 in the third on drives into the wind that went for 80, 80 and 76 yards.
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Lou Holtz eat your ESPN words, “Texas Tech will be beaten this week” K State band members were chanting “over rated” before the game started.
If Tech keeps playing like this we will earn the respect of the media and the country and get a few Heisman votes too.
Wreck em Tech, Guns Up!
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I was impressed with Tech’s game play. There are still several areas needing to be addressed, but I feel a lot better today than I did yesterday morning before kickoff. With UT and OU banging on each other this weekend, and OState making a trip to Columbia, Tech should benefit from these games providing we take care of business with Nebraska.
Before we play UT, they will have played OU, Mizzou and OState. Before we see OState, they will have played Mizzou and UT. Before we play Kansas, they will have faced OU. As long as we play up to our potential, and not look ahead to any matchup, we should be going into Lawrence 7-0.
That said, Nebraska is no pushover despite the drumming they got from Mizzou and A&M will be licking their chomps at a chance to knock Tech down a peg.
Wow! The Big 12 is incredible this year!
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JH – That is a great angle I had not considered the benefits of playing the tough teams later. For this we I would hate for Texas to beat OU but it makes the most sense. Because we will not beat Oklahoma in Norman, but we can beat the horns in Lubbock. …………..Thankfully Ostate comes to Lubbock they are the giant killer this year. Possibly we get the tie breaker with Texas and Ostate gives Oklahoma their second loss. Here’s to dreaming…………
BTW anyone watching the AM-Tech all time list? We should have a big party in 2011 when we take the all time lead.
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