Tech offense dominates Cowboys
By Jeff Walker l A-J Sports Editor
As Texas Tech took another step toward its first Big 12 South Division title, and a possible berth in the BCS National Championship Game, the Red Raiders appeared to be their only opposition against No. 9 Oklahoma State.
Oklahoma State's Zac Robinson is taken down by Texas Tech's Richard Jones(99) and Brian Duncan during their game Saturday at Jones AT&T Stadium.
After No. 1 Alabama struggled in a 27-21 overtime win at No. 16 LSU, and No. 3 Penn State lost at Iowa, the No. 2 Red Raiders built a 21-point lead Saturday night in methodical fashion.
Tech scored touchdowns on five of its first six possessions – the only time the Red Raiders didn’t score was off a turnover – in a 56-20 victory in front of 55,663, the third-largest home crowd, at Jones AT&T Stadium.
“That’s what it’s all about, trying to score touchdowns,” Tech quarterback Graham Harrell said. “Scoring seven in a row is great, but we just tried to put the first (drive) behind us.”
The Red Raiders scored touchdowns on eight of 10 possessions – Tech’s other stopped drive came on a fumbled exchange between Harrell and Edward Britton.
Despite the lopsided win and the Crimson Tide’s near loss in Baton Rouge, the Red Raiders (10-0, 6-0 in Big 12 Conference) probably won’t jump Alabama when the BCS rankings are released at 7 p.m. today.
Texas Tech's Baron Batch goes over Oklahoma State's Quinton Moore during No. 2 Tech's 56-20 victory on Saturday at Jones AT&T Stadium.
Don’t be surprised, though, if the Red Raiders steal some first-place votes after winning their first 10 games for the first time since 1938.
With the national spotlight continuing to grow on Tech, and its two Heisman Trophy candidates, the Red Raiders – and their candidates – continued to shine.
Harrell, the orchestrator of the consistent drives, finished 40 of 50 for 456 yards and six touchdowns against the Cowboys (8-2, 4-2). He was replaced by Taylor Potts with 5:40 remaining in the game.
Mike Crabtree, perhaps Harrell’s biggest challenger for the Heisman at this point, caught eight passes for 89 yards and three scores. This was the second time this season (SMU) that Crabtree caught three touchdown passes, giving him 18 for the season.
The win sets up Tech’s fourth consecutive game against a ranked opponent and as coach Mike Leach said last week, the next “biggest game in the history of the season.”
This time, though, it is.
The Red Raiders have a week off before playing at No. 6 Oklahoma. The winner likely will be the South’s representative in the Big 12 title game Dec. 6 in Kansas City, Mo.
The Sooners, who also have a bye next week, should be ranked higher than sixth after Saturday’s 66-28 win at Texas A&M.
“It’s significant,” Leach said. “We have a long win streak so I’m proud of that, proud of our players. This was a good collective effort.”
Texas Tech 56, Oklahoma State 20
FIRST QUARTER
Oklahoma State – Hunter 2 run (D. Bailey kick), 12:30.
Drive: 3 plays, 31 yards, 0:58. Oklahoma State 7, Texas Tech 0.
Texas Tech – Britton 16 pass from Harrell (Ma. Williams kick), 10:12.
Drive: 5 plays, 80 yards, 2:18. Texas Tech 7, Oklahoma State 7.
Texas Tech – Morris 4 pass from Harrell (Ma. Williams kick), 3:38.
Drive: 11 plays, 70 yards, 4:06. Texas Tech 14, Oklahoma State 7.
SECOND QUARTER
Texas Tech – Crabtree 9 pass from Harrell (Ma. Williams kick), 10:56.
Drive: 14 plays, 97 yards, 6:47. Texas Tech 21, Oklahoma State 7.
Oklahoma State – Toston 5 run (D. Bailey kick), 4:13.
Drive: 12 plays, 80 yards, 6:43. Texas Tech 21, Oklahoma State 14.
Texas Tech – Woods 3 run (Ma. Williams kick), 0:47.
Drive: 8 plays, 72 yards, 3:26. Texas Tech 28, Oklahoma State 14.
THIRD QUARTER
Texas Tech – Crabtree 8 pass from Harrell (Ma. Williams kick), 9:32.
Drive: 9 plays, 48 yards, 3:41. Texas Tech 35, Oklahoma State 14.
Oklahoma State – Hunter 4 run (run failed), 7:39.
Drive: 5 plays, 76 yards, 1:53. Texas Tech 35, Oklahoma State 20.
Texas Tech – Crabtree 1 pass from Harrell (Ma. Williams kick), 4:05.
Drive: 8 plays, 80 yards, 3:34. Texas Tech 42, Oklahoma State 20.
FOURTH QUARTER
Texas Tech – Texas Tech – Woods 13 pass from Harrell (Ma. Williams kick), 8:52.
Drive: 12 plays, 96 yards, 5:17. Texas Tech 49, Oklahoma State 20.
Texas Tech – Woods 16 pass from Potts (M. Williams kick), 2:31.
Drive: 7 plays, 74 yards, 3:09. Texas Tech 56, Oklahoma State 20.
Attendance: 55, 663
—
TEAM STATISTICS
OSU TECH
First downs 19 38
Rushes-yards 34-186 25-113
Passing 182 516
Comp-Att-Int 16-29-1 45-55-0
Return Yards 0 41
Punts-Avg. 4-52.3 0-0.0
Fumbles-Lost 1-1 3-2
Penalties-Yards 4-40 3-19
Time of Possession 25:03 34:57
—
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING: Oklahoma St., Hunter 17-112, B.Johnson 5-34, Toston 6-24, Robinson 6-16. Texas Tech, Batch 11-79, Woods 9-36, Harrell 5-(minus 2).
PASSING: Oklahoma St., Robinson 16-28-1-182, Team 0-1-0-0. Texas Tech, Harrell 40-50-0-456, Potts 5-5-0-60.
RECEIVING: Oklahoma St., Pettigrew 7-72, Bryant 4-86, Hunter 4-7, Da.Davis 1-17. Texas Tech, Morris 10-97, Crabtree 8-89, Lewis 7-93, Woods 5-77, Batch 5-50, Leong 3-36, Swindall 3-34, Britton 2-21, Franks 1-11, Walker 1-8.
To comment on this story:
jeff.walker@lubbockonline.com 766-8735
terry.greenberg@lubbockonline.com 766-8700
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I just can’t keep away despite the all night affair to watch from Europe! Another well choreographed offense. I am particularly pleased to see how diversified Tech is which tends to keep their opponent’s heads spinning. Harrell and Crabtree make an awesome duo but it is great that there are so very many alternatives to plays that makes their advances so unstoppable. The defense has done a great job as well being able to stifle some otherwise known to be very high scoring opponents. Congratulations once again Raiders on a job well done. It is good that you have not gotten cocky..although I do believe Leach can afford to crack a smile here and there :)! Great coaching staff! Wreck ‘em Tech!
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I feel your pain Rusty. I’m watching these games from the Middle East starting at 0400 local time here. At the end of the last 2 weeks I have been so pumped that I can’t get back to sleep. My last two Sunday shifts have been LOOOONG days with very little sleep. BUT THEY HAVE BEEN WELL WORTH IT!!! GO TECH!!!
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Just to keep the international flavor. I was listening from South Korea. This is becoming the “DREAM SEASON”, a long time coming…I graduated from Tech in ‘69. BTW I had a Longhorn come up and give congrads Friday night on our victory over his team. Hey there really are some good sports from UT! As we used to say in the days before Wreck Em and Guns up…Giv em Hell Tech.
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Tech fans! Go vote for Harrell for the O’Brien trophy at voteobrien.org! He is still behind Colt McCoy and Tim Tebow! Vote every day for Graham.
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Tech looked awesome. I think considering the top ten ranking of OSU and the ease that they beat them that are legit. I hope they stay #2 because it will keep a fire lit under them for Oklahoma in two weeks. If they beat Oklahoma then consider them #1. As for now, have a Great time in Lubbock Red Raiders and don’t get a big head just yet. Pat each other on the back, celebrate for a couple of days, rest up and get healthy, then prepare as if the next two weeks meant everthing. Because when you go to OU it will be crazy. We believe in you but YOU will remember this run for the rest of your lives. Its a once in a lifetime opportunity that you have made for yourselves. Finish it off. Wreck ‘em TECH.
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It’s amazing what can happen when everyone does their job. This team is the testament to that. Thanx to the coaching staff as well. Others should learn this life lesson from it. Go Tech!!
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This team is amazing. They have two weeks to rest up before OU in Norman. Every player on the team is great and they just seem to know every play where each man is and can pick that ball anywhere on the field. Best team TT has ever had.
Mike Leach needs a big raise and hope the entire town of Lubbock goes to Norman to support them when they play OU.
Way to go Raiders and it feels soooooooooo good to win. Glad you are making believers out of all the rest. Good Job
Wreck’em
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Keep it rolling Tech….. get some rest and be ready to fire on all
cylinders… We are TEXAS TECH………
Thanks for 2 games that were so fantastic…and to the students.. you know how to party…… you got that right !!!!
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Way to go RUFFIN……. a defense that has grown this year and I knew if that ever happened we would be in the hunt for the big trophy. As they have always said, Offense sells tickets and DEFENSE wins championships. Now that we have both, I just hope we can finish this….. Just keep it up!!!!!!!
GO RAIDERS!!!!!!!!!!
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OMG!! TO THE TECH COACHING STAFF!! Y’ALL ARE AWESOME!!…. TO THE PLAYERS,…ITS Y’ALLS TO TAKE!!
AND Y’ALL GO TO NORMAN OK.. (WHERE LEACH COACHED),
AND TEAR THE SOONERS A NEW @$$
WREK THE SOONERS FOR MIKE LEACH AND THE COACHING STAFF,
Y’ALL HAVE BEEN AWESOME GUYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GUNS UP IN NASHVILLE TN!!
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We didn’t punt the ball once……great game.
I think we can win in Norman. Look how well Leach has prepared his bowl teams with the extra time.
Tech, show coach Leach some money.
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I am a UT grad (that’s University of Tennessee) that is hoping that we can get Leach here to coach our team. So please keep under funding him. I promise, we have plenty of money to put for quality. Look how much we paid for non-quality.
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The 2008 Red Raiders look more awesome each game. I made the comment to my SEC friends here Tennessee that Alabama would be in 4th or 5th place if they were in the Big 12 South. You can imagine what they said. LOL Anyway I am so proud of you guys on the team! I never thought I would live long enough to see a Tech team that I have been waiting for since going to my first Tech game vs Kansas in 1965. Now lets beat the sooners.
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Why would Leach go to Tennesee? They treated Fulmer shamefully. Besides Tennessee would be a step down for Coach Leach.
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Why would Leach go to Tennesee? They treated Fulmer, a coach that won the national championship, shamefully. Besides Tennessee would be a step down for Coach Leach. Musberger’s constant calling Coach Leach the “mad scientist” is getting annoying.
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I always knew you guys could do it! Ya’ll have been such a pleasure for Tech fans everywhere. It’s great to sit down and watch this team with confidence. Some critics seem to find this a tough pill to swallow. I’m so glad you’ve proved them wrong. And you’ve done it with class. Now go get your Titles!!!!!
Class of ‘94
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Jeff… go back to your dream. Coach Leach will voluntarily (not Volunteer) pass up your request at the expense of TTU (that’s Texas Tech University) Gerald and Kent will see to that! GUNS UP!
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I’ve been a passionate Tech fan since 1950 (I grew up in Lubbock). This has been an incredible season! A great big Thanks to the Players, the Coaching Staff, and everyone else involved in creating an unbelievable season for Texas Tech. No matter what happens from here on, this has been a season and a team that I will never forget. GO RAIDERS!!!!!
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beware great red raiders …the Tennessee Volunteers are coming after your coach….!!!!!
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Leach ain’t goin anywhere….geez! He’s happy here. So stop with the rumours already.
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another big step in two weeks guys! if yall can play hard like you have been i could see you guys winning big. I know some people will say thats dumb to say, but the TTU team i have watched could really put the hurt on OU’s D backs!
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Vigilance, mindful of the objective. History is for remembering. OKLAHOMA, knows that best. TT mission is to win the next game. Good Bad or Ugly, Just WIN. If I were abel to speak to the team and not just my son I would tell him to remember the bully next door, if you let him get away with it he will continue to eat away at your pride, stipping you of your courage, OK will try to avenge there loss of last, your mission if you choose to accept it is to beat the bully up first. Strike first and put the fear of “GOD” in their hearts. You are not Big 12 Champions nor have you received a BCS Invitation, you are just another pretty good football team playing another pretty good football team. Win and you are one step closer, loose and you take one step back. Never be afraid of loosing and you will always WIN. You have a history, steep with the heart of a Lion of comeback victories, Rich in tradition of never giving up, you are the better team, destiny brought you, to this point, good furtune is your reward, earned from opportunities siezed upon when you work hard and expect to be victorious. That what I would say if I could talk to the team, and not just my son. Guns UP#27
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I don’t know why Leach would want to leave Tech for Tennessee. He has worked hard for 8 years to build the program at Tech. He’s now recruiting the players he needs to win. He’d be starting from scratch at Tennessee and also be under constant scrutiny. If he didn’t produce quickly at a high level, they’d throw him out just like they did Fulmer. Its not worth the risk, no matter how much they’re offering to pay him. Besides, he already in the best division in the best conference in the country.
Wreck ‘em Tech!
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Very well put, Britton Sr! Go Raiders!
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From what I understand, Tech gets the shaft altogether pretty much if they were to lose to OU? Meaning, OU or UT would jump them for the bcs title game? Now how right or fair would that bs be?
As I see it, no matter what happens in Norman, Tech trumps both OU and UT. UT beat OU, and TT beat UT. Also, important to note, which the sportswriters, voters, computers don’t seem to be considering, UT plays OU on a neutral site, when we all know how important home field advantage is. How fair is that to any other team in the Big 12 that has to play OU at home? So why would that neutral site win for UT provide with enough bcs points to put them in the no. 1 spot in Oct.?
Tech just needs to continue winning apparently because the results are against them should there be a three way tie.
One other thing, why would the winner of the Big 12 south even need to bother with playing the winner of the Big 12 north? That will be a waste; it would be Mizzou getting royally beat by whoever they play. Since it will end up being Tech anyway, why would UT get to go to the bcs title game if Tech lost that Big 12 game? What significance is that game really since the regular season games have been played and the big powerhouse teams have already been beaten?
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I am a Red Raider fan….but lets not get carried away with dismissing the opportunities coach Leach will have after this season. I lived in Alabama for 5 years and know the power of SEC football. Think about it………if UT (the other burnt orange) came after him they could offer a lot. How about 90-100,000 fans in the seats every game. More money….and the opportunity to recruit on a national basis. I love Lubbock and Texas Tech and want him to stay….but….realistically it is hard to get to Lubbock….and no matter what it will always be more difficult for us to recruit the 4 and 5 star recruits. Tennessee is not a step down. They do have a national championship in the last 10 years and have the budget and facilities to compete in the SEC.
I was a student in 1976 – 79 and we thought it would never end. We had turned the corner and we were going to compete for conference and national championships every year. We lost our coach and it’s taken 30 years to get it back.
We need to start an all out grass roots campaign with Myers and Hance to make it impossible for the coach of the next BCS National Champion to leave!
“Give em Hell Tech”!
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to there in 76,
leach will not go now because he can get the big 4 and 5 star recruits. he is getting them rolling in now. which is more fun for a coach/player? being in a program that could grow to be larger than Tennessee or going to a Tennessee and being on the hot seat immediately? i would be tech over the other UT program because he has no expectation other than to beat OU or UT or A&M once a year. plus the excitement at tech is growing to new levels. Kent and the AD will not let him leave. Alumni unite to keep leach! ha ha ha
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