2007 Texas Tech Red Raiders football team
Encyclopedia
The 2007 Texas Tech Red Raiders football team represented Texas Tech University
in the college football
season of 2007–2008. The team was coached by Mike Leach. The Red Raiders
play their home games at Jones AT&T Stadium
in Lubbock, Texas
.
The football team competes in the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), formerly I-A.
Entering the season, the Red Raiders were predicted to finish fifth in the Big 12 South
, ahead of only the Baylor Bears
. However, they completed conference play tied for third place with Texas A&M
and . While all three teams had a matching 4–4 conference record, Tech had a better overall record of 9–4 compared to the Aggies and Cowboys who both had a record of 7–6. Final Coaches
and AP
Polls put the Red Raiders at 23 and 22, respectively.
would come away with an upset win over the Red Raiders. However, Tech scored seven touchdown
s while holding SMU to only three field goals
and no touchdowns.
The first score of the game came on a one-yard rush
by Texas Tech quarterback Graham Harrell
. This was followed by a successful point after try by Alex Trlica
, who holds the NCAA
record for consecutive extra points with no misses. SMU answered with a 36-yard Thomas Morstead field goal.
The Red Raiders scored twice more in the second quarter on passes to Danny Amendola
and redshirt
freshman Michael Crabtree
, both followed by successful point after tries. The Mustangs also scored in the second quarter, a 35-yard field goal by Thomas Morstead. Going into halftime, the score stood at 21–6.
Michael Crabtree also caught both Texas Tech touchdown passes during the third quarter, one for a 42-yard gain and one for a 2-yard gain. Alex Trlica added an extra point after each.
The final quarter of the game saw two more Red Raider touchdowns, the first being a 2-yard rush by Shannon Woods. This was answered by the Mustangs' final score of the game, a 37-yard field goal. After sending in backup quarterback Taylor Potts, Tech scored once more on a 5-yard rushing touchdown by Woods. Trlica again followed with the extra point, extending his PAT record to 173 consecutive conversions without a miss.
, 45–31. Texas Tech got on the scoreboard first when Kobey Lewis rushed up the middle for a one-yard touchdown with Alex Trlica making the point after.
UTEP answered with an eight-yard pass from Trevor Vittatoe to Jeff Moturi for a touchdown. The Miners successfully made the PAT to tie the game. The next score also came from UTEP, giving them the lead on a 41-yard-pass from Vittatoe to Joe West, followed by a point after. UTEP scored a third time before the end of the first quarter. UTEP running back Marcus Thomas, who sat out the previous game because of a suspension, scored on a one-yard-run. Another successfully PAT followed. This gave the Miners a 21–7 lead going into the second quarter.
In the second quarter, the Red Raiders scored first on a pass from Graham Harrell to Michael Crabtree. The Miner's Thomas made another touchdown, bringing the score to 28–14, UTEP, after the successful PAT. Texas Tech scored a field goal as the first half wound to a close.
In the third quarter, the Red Raiders scored twice. First on a nine-yard touchdown pass from Harrell to Crabtree. Then Harrell threw for another touchdown. Both scores were followed by successful extra points by Alex Trlica. The Miners added three points with a field goal, closing out the quarter with a 31-point tie.
Texas Tech defense held UTEP scoreless in the game's final quarter while the offense added 14. Harrell passed to Grant Walker down the middle for an eight-yard touchdown. The successful PAT made it Texas Tech 38, UTEP 31. On the final score, running back Shannon Woods rushed up the middle for a two-yard-touchdown. Texas Tech made the PAT to close the game out with a 45–31 lead.
on a pass from Graham Harrell to Shannon Woods for an eleven-yard gain. Alex Trlica made the PAT, extending the NCAA record.
The next score of the game was also by Texas Tech. Harrell passed to Grant Walker down the middle for 38-yards, ending in a touchdown followed by a success point after.
The Owls got onto the scoreboard when Clark Fangmeier kicked a 35-yard field goal. This brought the score to 14–3.
Rice scored again after the beginning of the second quarter. Chase Clement connected with Toren Dixon down the middle for a thirteen-yard gain and the first Owl touchdown of the season. Following the PAT, the score stood at 14–10. The Red Raiders' first score in the second quarter came on a two-yard rush by Shannon Woods, followed by an extra point conversion.
Rice responded with their second TD of the game. Clement passed to Jarett Dillard for a 47-yard gain, followed by a successful PAT, bringing the score to 21–17.
The last 2 scores in the first half were made by Texas Tech. The first was a Harrell pass to Michael Crabtree for a 74-yard gain. The second was another Harrell pass—this time to Eric Morris—for ten yards. Both were followed by successful point after tries by Trlica.
The second half opened with the Red Raiders leading, 35–17. Tech held Rice scoreless in the third quarter while adding 14. Crabtree scored on a nine-yard passing play and Kobey Lewis rushed one-yard for a touchdown. Successful PATs followed both scores.
In the fourth quarter, Texas Tech made their third unanswered touchdown—a 20-yard pass to Crabtree—to bring the score to 56–17. The Owls scored their final touchdown of the game when C. J. Ugokwe rushed up the middle for a seven-yard gain. Fangmeier made the point after.
The Red Raiders were able to score once more after backup quarterback Taylor Potts entered the game. Alex Trlica kicked a 39-yard field goal, making the final score 59–24 in favor of Texas Tech.
against the Oklahoma State Cowboys
marked the first conference
game of the season for both teams. Tech leads the series, 20–12–3. In 2006, Tech beat OSU in Lubbock. However, the Red Raiders have not won in Stillwater since 2001.
The game was an offensive shootout with Oklahoma State scoring 49 points to Texas Tech's 45. The first quarter saw two scores by the Red Raiders—a Graham Harrell pass to Michael Crabtree and a rushing touchdown by Shannon Woods. Between the two Tech scores, the Cowboys' Dantrell Savage rushed four yards for a touchdown. All three TDs were followed by successful point after tries.
After the beginning of the second quarter, Oklahoma State tied the score with a five-yard pass from Zac Robinson to Desmond Bryant, followed by a point after conversion by Jason Ricks. The Cowboys took the lead when Kendall Hunter rushed up the middle for a 46-yard gain followed by a successful PAT.
Another Harrell to Crabtree pass followed by successful PAT by Alex Trlica again tied the score. However, Oklahoma State answered when quarterback Zac Robinson rushed up the middle 48-yards for a TD and Ricks made the point after. The next two scores were made by the Red Raiders—a touchdown pass to Eric Morris and another to Michael Crabtree followed by PATs.
The second half opened with a 35–28 Red Raider lead but the Cowboys tied it when Zac Robinson rushed for a touchdown, followed by successful point after conversion. This marked the only score of the third quarter by either team.
Oklahoma State again took the lead in the final period of play when Seth Newton passed to Jeremy Broadway for a 33-yard gain, followed by successful PAT. The Red Raiders tied it again on a pass from Graham Harrell to Danny Amendola, followed by PAT, and took the lead on a 20-yard Alex Trlica field goal.
The Cowboys pulled ahead with the final score of the game when Zac Robinson passed to Brandon Pettigrew for a touchdown followed by point after conversion. Texas Tech answered with a drive that ended with a failed fourth down conversion when a pass from Harrell to Crabtree was dropped in the end zone.
After the poor defensive showing by the Red Raiders, Tech Defensive Coordinator Lyle Setencich
resigned on September 23, 2007, ostensibly for personal reasons. Ruffin McNeill
was appointed interim defensive coordinator.
In spite of the loss, Tech's Harrell was honored as AT&T
's player of the week for completing 46 of 67 passes for 646 yards and five touchdowns. The recognition took place during halftime of the ESPN
college game (Southern Miss
at Boise State
) on September 27, 2007.
were unable to score in the first quarter, but the Texas Tech Red Raiders scored twice. The first was a four-yard rushing touchdown by Shannon Woods. The second was a 34-yard TD pass from Graham Harrell to Michael Crabtree.
Northwestern State's only score came on a touchdown at the opening of the second quarter when Quarterback Germayne Edmond passed to Dudley Guice for an 18-yard gain. Everett Scott made the PAT. Texas Tech scored four touchdowns and a field goal before the half.
The final half of the game saw two more touchdowns before Taylor Potts replaced Graham Harrell in the quarterback position. Potts passed for three touchdowns—two to Detron Lewis and one to Lyle Leong. Additionally, the Red Raiders scored on a safety when a fumble by the Demons bounced out of the back of the end zone in the fourth quarter. All Tech touchdowns in the game were followed by point after conversions by Alex Trlica.
of Iowa State. While holding ISU scoreless in the first quarter, Texas Tech scored three touchdowns. The first was on a pass from Graham Harrell to Michael Crabtree for a 31-yard gain, the second was on a one-yard rush by Harrell, and the third was on another Harrell to Crabtree pass. All three were followed by successful point after tries by Alex Trlica.
The Red Raiders scored again in the second quarter when a Cyclone fumble was recovered by Darcel McBath who returned it 16 yards for a touchdown. This was followed by a Trlica PAT. ISU's first score of the game came on a 30-yard field goal by Bret Culbertson.
The second half opened with the Red Raiders holding a 28-3 lead. However, neither team was able to score in the third quarter of play.
Tech scored twice more in the final quarter—on a pass from Harrell to Danny Amendola and a pass from Harrell to Crabtree, both followed by PAT. The final two scores of the game were made by the Cyclones. Meyer rushed five yards for a touchdown, followed by Culbertson's PAT. Then, Meyer passed to Todd Blythe for a 38-yard gain, followed by PAT.
On October 11, 2007, AT&T announced that Texas Tech Quarterback Graham Harrell was the AT&T All-America Player of the Week. This marked the second time in three weeks that he was honored with the award.
has a 1–3 record with Texas Tech as A&M head coach, and Tech coach Mike Leach has a 5–2 record with A&M as Tech head coach. In their previous meeting, the Raiders outscored the Aggies 31–27, after Tech redshirt sophomore quarterback Graham Harrell made a 37-yard touchdown pass with 26 seconds left in the game.
Texas A&M's only score came in the first quarter when Jorvorskie Lane
rushed into the end zone on a one-yard gain. This was followed by a successful point after try by Matt Szymanski. Texas Tech was held scoreless in the quarter.
The Red Raiders were able to score three times in the second quarter. Graham Harrell passed to Eric Morris for a 13-yard touchdown. Later in the quarter, Harrell passed to Edward Britton for a 28-yard TD. The last TD was on a 2-yard rush by Shannon Woods. All three were followed by Alex Trlica point after conversions. Going into the half, Tech led 21–7.
Neither team scored in the third period of play, but the Red Raiders did add two more touchdowns in the final quarter. The first was a rushing touchdown by Harrell. The second was a Harrell-to-Amendola pass for an eight-yard gain. These were followed by PATs bringing the final score to 35–7 in favor of Texas Tech.
and the Texas Tech Red Raiders were ranked 21st.
The only two scores during the first quarter were made by the Tigers. First, a pass by Tech quarterback Graham Harrell was tipped resulting in an interception by Stryker Sulak who returned it 37 yards for a touchdown. This was followed by a successful point after try by Jeff Wolfert. Later in the quarter, Wolfert kicked a field goal.
The Red Raiders scored twice in the second quarter. A Harrell pass to Edward Britton resulted in a 67-yard touchdown. Alex Trlica made the PAT. Trlica kicked a 45-yard field goal later in the quarter. These would be the only times Tech scored during the game. Missouri scored a touchdown during the quarter when Jimmy Jackson rushed up the middle for a one-yard gain, followed by Wolfert PAT. The score at the half stood at 17–10 in favor of the Tigers.
Missouri's Jackson scored two more rushing touchdowns in the second half, both followed by successful point after conversions by Wolfert. A pass by Chase Daniel
to Jeremy Maclin resulted in a touchdown followed by Wolfert PAT. The last score of the game was a 39-yard Wolfert field goal.
scored twice—a touchdown in the first quarter and another in the second—before the Red Raiders put points on the board with two Alex Trlica field goals. Both of Colorado's scores were followed by successful point after tries by Kevin Eberhart. The score at the half stood at 14—6 in favor of the Buffaloes.
Colorado scored twice more in the beginning of the third quarter. The first was a field goal by Eberhart. The second was a 42-yard touchdown run by Jordan Dixon after he intercepted a Graham Harrell pass. The TD was followed by an Eberhart PAT. Tech answered with a five-play, 80-yard drive that ended with a touchdown pass from Harrell to Eric Morris, followed by Trlica PAT.
Both teams scored once more in the third quarter. The Buffaloes made a touchdown followed by PAT. The Red Raiders made a touchdown followed by a failed two-point conversion try.
Tech was the only team to score in the final quarter. Graham Harrell passed to Edward Britton for a touchdown. Alex Trlica followed it with a PAT. However, it would not be enough to overcome a Colorado lead created, in part, by four interceptions thrown by Harrell.
was tied at 32–32–1 with Tech winning the last eleven straight. A victory by the Red Raiders gave them the series lead.
Tech scored two touchdowns in the opening quarter. The first was on a Graham Harrell pass to Eric Morris for a 37-yard gain. The second was on a three-yard rush by Aaron Crawford. Both were followed by extra points by Alex Trlica. The Red Raiders scored again in the second quarter when Trlica kicked a 23-yard field goal. The score at the half stood at 17–0.
In the third quarter, all three of Tech's touchdowns were at the hands of Crawford. First, he caught a pass from Harrell. The second was a rushing TD and the third was on another pass from Harrell. All were followed by Trlica PATs.
The Baylor Bears made the only score in the final quarter when Blake Szymanski passed to Brandon Whitaker for a touchdown. This was followed by a point-after kick by Caleb Allen.
began in 1928 and Tech's record was 14-42–0 coming into this years game. In the 2006 contest, fifth-ranked Texas barely came away with a 35–31 win over an unranked Texas Tech team. Two days before the 2007 game, oddsmakers favored Texas to win by 6½ points.
Texas center Dallas Griffin was determined to be out for the season due to injuring his anterior cruciate ligament
against Oklahoma State the week before the Texas Tech game. Backup defensive end Eddie Jones and reserve safety Drew Kelson also missed the game, while linebackers Jared Norton and Sergio Kindle were listed as "questionable" and "probable", respectively. The Austin American-Statesman reported, "Defensively, Texas must hope that the injured are quick healers because it's a given that the Longhorns will need every available body against the Red Raiders. Texas Tech fields the most dynamic passing offense in the country, and the Red Raiders also stay on the field an average of 77.3 plays per game. Tech further frustrates a defense by often going for fourth downs. They've been successful on 14 of 23 fourth-down attempts this season. A year ago, Tech was one of three on fourth downs in a 35-31 loss to Texas."
On the first series, the Horns scored a touchdown on a pass from McCoy to Shipley. Their defense held Tech to a field goal. Texas' offensive tackle Tony Hills injured his leg and left the game on a cart. Texas scored another touchdown on a run by Vondrell McGee to create a 14–3 lead at the end of the first quarter. Tech's Graham Harrell threw a touchdown pass and Texas answered with a rushing touchdown. On the ensuing kick, Texas used a pooch kick which was tipped by a Texas Tech player. The Longhorns' special team recovered the ball to set up a short field for their offense to rush for another touchdown. Tech brought the game to 28–20 with another touchdown. Texas drove into field goal range but tried to throw a touchdown pass with 11 seconds remaining in the half. The pass was intercepted for a touchback and the Red Raiders ran a short play to run out the half.
Jamaal Charles and tight end Jermichael Finley were injured in the second half but were able to return. In the fourth quarter, McCoy was on the sidelines nursing a cut on his head but he did not miss any snaps due to the injury. McCoy threw for four touchdowns and ran for two more. Both teams kept running their first team offense until late in the game; they combined for 47 points in the final 12 minutes and each scored a touchdown within the final two minutes of play. Tech attempted two onside kicks in an effort to come from behind, but Texas recovered both kicks.
During his post-game press conference, Texas Tech's Mike Leach used most of his time to rail against the officiating crew for making what he felt were bad calls. He speculated that the officials may have favored Texas because the head official lives in Austin, because they are incompetent, or possibly because the conference wants Texas to appear in a BCS bowl because of the increased appearance fees that such a bowl generates for the conference. Jim Vertuno of the Associated Press wrote "Leach was upset officials disallowed two Tech touchdowns in the third quarter. The first was overruled when video replay clearly showed the receiver let the ball hit the ground. On the next play, a touchdown pass was negated by a holding penalty. Leach also wanted, but didn't get, a flag for roughing the quarterback." The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
reported, "Big 12 policy prohibits coaches from commenting publicly about game officials, so Leach’s actions leave him open to reprimand, fine or worse." ESPN reported, "Big 12 official spokesman Bob Burda did not immediately respond to telephone messages seeking comment. Leach's rant will likely draw a fine from the league and possibly a suspension."
On November 13, 2007, the Big 12 fined Leach $10,000, the largest fine in Big 12 history. Leach also received a reprimand and was warned that further violations can result in suspension. In a Big 12 coaches' conference call that day, Leach added that he did not regret making any of the comments. Leach announced that he will appeal the fine.
Tech alumni and fans began raising money to aid Leach in paying the penalty in the event that it was upheld. Optionally, the proceeds raised could be used charitably. So, just before Christmas 2008, Leach requested that the nearly $5,000 raised to that point be spent on 400 hams to be given free to families in Lubbock
. Future donations were to go to the university or athletic department.
In the final regular season game for Texas Tech and final regular season road game for Oklahoma, the Sooners traveled to Lubbock. Oklahoma had led the series 11–3 since the first game was played in 1992.
ABC
broadcast the game live to the entire country. Previous games carried by ABC during the season were shown to only a portion of the market. This was be the largest single-viewed game since Mike Leach began coaching at Tech.
After starting at their own 20 yard line, Tech's quarterback Graham Harrell completed four straight passes to bring them to midfield. On the fifth play, Harrell's pass was intercepted by Lendy Holmes and returned for a touchdown giving Oklahoma the early lead. The Red Raiders answered on their next two possessions with two field goals to cut Oklahoma's lead to one point. On the Sooners' first offensive play, quarterback Sam Bradford
handed the ball off to Allen Patrick who quickly fumbled. Bradford suffered a concussion when he tackled the Tech defender who recovered the lost ball. Bradford did not show any immediate signs as he played on the ensuing Oklahoma possession, but he later told quarterbacks coach Josh Heupel that he did not remember any of the plays from the previous drive and Bradford was benched for the remainder of the game. Bradford was replaced by backup Joey Halzle.
Texas Tech scored a touchdown on each of their next three possessions. Late in the second quarter, the Red Raiders fumbled the ball and it was recovered by Oklahoma. Oklahoma was unable to score a touchdown but managed a field goal with less than ten seconds remaining in the first half. Tech went into halftime with a 27–10 lead.
To begin the third quarter, the Sooners went three-and-out and the Red Raiders answered with another touchdown. On Oklahoma's next possession, they ran six rushing plays against three passing plays and managed another field goal. Tech missed a 51-yard field goal on their next possession. The two teams traded possessions for the remainder of the third quarter. The Sooners went three-and-out, the Red Raiders got a first down on the first play, then went three-and-out. Tech intercepted Halzle on the next possession and Oklahoma responded with their own interception on the following play.
In the fourth quarter, Oklahoma began to chip away at Tech's lead. Halzle completed a 65-yard touchdown pass to Manuel Johnson with less than eight minutes remaining to make it a two-possession game. Oklahoma got to the Tech seven yard line on their next possession but failed to convert. On the following possession, they got to the Tech 14 yard line but again failed to convert. With less than a minute left in the game, Halzle completed a 47-yard pass to Juaquin Iglesias that set up a nine-yard touchdown pass to Johnson to bring the Sooners within seven points. The Sooners attempted an onside kick with 20 seconds remaining but Tech got the ball and ran out the clock.
The Red Raiders were ranked 24th in the Coaches' Poll released the day following the game.
also scored on a 96-yard run, setting an NCAA bowl record for a running back. The halftime score stood at 21–7.
Tech scored a touchdown in the third quarter but did not allow any points, narrowing Virginia's lead to a single touchdown. However, Simpson caught an eleven-yard pass from quarterback Peter Lalich with 11:26 left in the game to make the score 28–14.
With 7:54 left in the game, Texas Tech turned the ball over on downs just outside of Virginia's goal line. The Cavaliers were unable to pick up a first down and, following a punt, the Red Raiders took over at midfield trailing by 14 with 5:32 left. Harrell engineered an efficient drive completing five of his eight passes on the drive, including a 20-yard fade to Michael Crabtree for a touchdown to make it 28–21 with 3:31 left on the clock.
On Virginia's ensuing drive, Lalich was sacked and fumbled the football, setting up a one-play drive for Texas Tech—a four yard touchdown run for Aaron Crawford. Virginia was again unable to pick up a first down and Texas Tech drove to the UVA 24 yard line, kicking the winning 41-yard field goal with two seconds left. The final score was Texas Tech 31, Virginia 28.
Earlier in the season, Tech's head coach Mike Leach had been fined $10,000 for criticizing the officiating during the game at Texas. Fans contributed nearly $5,000 to help pay it and the money was spent to give free Christmas
hams to Lubbock
families. So following the Gator Bowl, he joked when referring to the two penalties assessed against his team for intentional grounding in the end zone, "I felt like we had a back there on the one safety, but I don't comment on officiating. I just give out hams is what I do."
After the loss, the Cavaliers fell from the top twenty-five rankings. Meanwhile, the Red Raiders finished the season ranked 22nd in the AP Poll
and 23rd in the Coaches Poll
.
Texas Tech University
Texas Tech University, often referred to as Texas Tech or TTU, is a public research university in Lubbock, Texas, United States. Established on February 10, 1923, and originally known as Texas Technological College, it is the leading institution of the Texas Tech University System and has the...
in the college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
season of 2007–2008. The team was coached by Mike Leach. The Red Raiders
Texas Tech Red Raiders
The Texas Tech Red Raiders are the athletic teams that represent Texas Tech University . The women's basketball team uses the name Lady Raiders; however, the school's other women's teams use the "Red Raiders" name. The university's athletic program fields teams in 15 varsity sports and 30 club sports...
play their home games at Jones AT&T Stadium
Jones AT&T Stadium
Jones AT&T Stadium is an outdoor athletic stadium on the campus of Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, United States. It is the home field of the Texas Tech Red Raiders football team of the Big 12 Conference.-Planning and funding:Clifford B. and Audrey Jones Stadium opened in 1947...
in Lubbock, Texas
Lubbock, Texas
Lubbock is a city in and the county seat of Lubbock County, Texas, United States. The city is located in the northwestern part of the state, a region known historically as the Llano Estacado, and the home of Texas Tech University and Lubbock Christian University...
.
The football team competes in the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), formerly I-A.
Entering the season, the Red Raiders were predicted to finish fifth in the Big 12 South
Big 12 Conference
The Big 12 Conference is a college athletic conference of ten schools located in the Central United States, with its headquarters located in Las Colinas, a community in the Dallas, Texas suburb of Irving...
, ahead of only the Baylor Bears
Baylor Bears
Baylor Bears refers to the sports teams of Baylor University. Baylor's men's sports teams are nicknamed the Bears, and some women's teams are nicknamed the Lady Bears. Student athletes participate in the NCAA's Division I, and Baylor is the only private school in the Big 12 Conference...
. However, they completed conference play tied for third place with Texas A&M
2007 Texas A&M Aggies football team
The 2007 Texas A&M Aggies football team represented Texas A&M University in the 2007-2008 college football season. The team was coached by Dennis Franchione, who had coached at A&M since the 2003 season, but resigned at the conclusion of the annual game with the University of Texas...
and . While all three teams had a matching 4–4 conference record, Tech had a better overall record of 9–4 compared to the Aggies and Cowboys who both had a record of 7–6. Final Coaches
Coaches Poll
The USA Today Coaches' Poll is the current name for a weekly ranking of the top 25 NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football and Division I college basketball teams....
and AP
AP Poll
The Associated Press College Poll refers to weekly rankings of the top 25 NCAA teams in one of three Division I college sports: football, men's basketball and women's basketball. The rankings are compiled by polling sportswriters across the nation...
Polls put the Red Raiders at 23 and 22, respectively.
Schedule
SMU
Because Texas Tech went into the game with new starters in key positions on both offense and defense, CollegeFootballNews.com speculated that the SMU MustangsSMU Mustangs
The SMU Mustangs is the name of the athletic teams representing Southern Methodist University. The Mustangs participate in the NCAA's Division I as a member of Conference USA. In 2005, SMU accepted an invitation to the Western Division of Conference USA, and left the Western Athletic Conference...
would come away with an upset win over the Red Raiders. However, Tech scored seven touchdown
Touchdown
A touchdown is a means of scoring in American and Canadian football. Whether running, passing, returning a kickoff or punt, or recovering a turnover, a team scores a touchdown by advancing the ball into the opponent's end zone.-Description:...
s while holding SMU to only three field goals
Field goal (football)
A field goal in American football and Canadian football is a goal that may be scored during general play . Field goals may be scored by a placekick or the now practically extinct drop kick.The drop kick fell out of favor in 1934 when the shape of the ball was changed...
and no touchdowns.
The first score of the game came on a one-yard rush
Rush (American football)
Rushing has two different meanings in gridiron football .-Offense:The first is an action taken by the offensive team that means to advance the ball by running, as opposed to passing. A run is technically any play that does not involve a forward pass...
by Texas Tech quarterback Graham Harrell
Graham Harrell
Graham Harrell is an American football quarterback. He was signed by the Green Bay Packers and is currently on their scout team. He played college football at Texas Tech.-Early years:...
. This was followed by a successful point after try by Alex Trlica
Alex Trlica
Alex Trlica was a kicker for the Texas Tech Red Raiders football team.As of January 9, 2007, Trlica held the NCAA record for successful point after tries. During his college career, he made 233 consecutive PATs without a miss...
, who holds the NCAA
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
record for consecutive extra points with no misses. SMU answered with a 36-yard Thomas Morstead field goal.
The Red Raiders scored twice more in the second quarter on passes to Danny Amendola
Danny Amendola
Daniel Amendola is an American football wide receiver for the St. Louis Rams of the National Football League. He was signed by the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2008...
and redshirt
Redshirt (college sports)
Redshirt is a term used in American college athletics that refers to a delay or suspension of an athlete's participation in order to lengthen his or her period of eligibility...
freshman Michael Crabtree
Michael Crabtree
Michael Alex Crabtree is an American football wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the 49ers with the 10th overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft. He played college football for Texas Tech, where he received recognition as one of the nation's...
, both followed by successful point after tries. The Mustangs also scored in the second quarter, a 35-yard field goal by Thomas Morstead. Going into halftime, the score stood at 21–6.
Michael Crabtree also caught both Texas Tech touchdown passes during the third quarter, one for a 42-yard gain and one for a 2-yard gain. Alex Trlica added an extra point after each.
The final quarter of the game saw two more Red Raider touchdowns, the first being a 2-yard rush by Shannon Woods. This was answered by the Mustangs' final score of the game, a 37-yard field goal. After sending in backup quarterback Taylor Potts, Tech scored once more on a 5-yard rushing touchdown by Woods. Trlica again followed with the extra point, extending his PAT record to 173 consecutive conversions without a miss.
UTEP
Texas Tech defeated the University of Texas at El PasoUniversity of Texas at El Paso
The University of Texas at El Paso is a four-year state university, and is a component institution of the University of Texas System. Its campus is located on the bank of the Rio Grande in El Paso, Texas. The school was founded in 1914 as The Texas State School of Mines and Metallurgy,...
, 45–31. Texas Tech got on the scoreboard first when Kobey Lewis rushed up the middle for a one-yard touchdown with Alex Trlica making the point after.
UTEP answered with an eight-yard pass from Trevor Vittatoe to Jeff Moturi for a touchdown. The Miners successfully made the PAT to tie the game. The next score also came from UTEP, giving them the lead on a 41-yard-pass from Vittatoe to Joe West, followed by a point after. UTEP scored a third time before the end of the first quarter. UTEP running back Marcus Thomas, who sat out the previous game because of a suspension, scored on a one-yard-run. Another successfully PAT followed. This gave the Miners a 21–7 lead going into the second quarter.
In the second quarter, the Red Raiders scored first on a pass from Graham Harrell to Michael Crabtree. The Miner's Thomas made another touchdown, bringing the score to 28–14, UTEP, after the successful PAT. Texas Tech scored a field goal as the first half wound to a close.
In the third quarter, the Red Raiders scored twice. First on a nine-yard touchdown pass from Harrell to Crabtree. Then Harrell threw for another touchdown. Both scores were followed by successful extra points by Alex Trlica. The Miners added three points with a field goal, closing out the quarter with a 31-point tie.
Texas Tech defense held UTEP scoreless in the game's final quarter while the offense added 14. Harrell passed to Grant Walker down the middle for an eight-yard touchdown. The successful PAT made it Texas Tech 38, UTEP 31. On the final score, running back Shannon Woods rushed up the middle for a two-yard-touchdown. Texas Tech made the PAT to close the game out with a 45–31 lead.
Rice
Texas Tech won the toss and opted to receive. On their first drive, the Red Raiders scored, getting into the end zoneEnd zone
In gridiron-based codes of football, the end zone refers to the scoring area on the field. It is the area between the end line and goal line bounded by the sidelines. There are two end zones, each being on an opposite side of the field...
on a pass from Graham Harrell to Shannon Woods for an eleven-yard gain. Alex Trlica made the PAT, extending the NCAA record.
The next score of the game was also by Texas Tech. Harrell passed to Grant Walker down the middle for 38-yards, ending in a touchdown followed by a success point after.
The Owls got onto the scoreboard when Clark Fangmeier kicked a 35-yard field goal. This brought the score to 14–3.
Rice scored again after the beginning of the second quarter. Chase Clement connected with Toren Dixon down the middle for a thirteen-yard gain and the first Owl touchdown of the season. Following the PAT, the score stood at 14–10. The Red Raiders' first score in the second quarter came on a two-yard rush by Shannon Woods, followed by an extra point conversion.
Rice responded with their second TD of the game. Clement passed to Jarett Dillard for a 47-yard gain, followed by a successful PAT, bringing the score to 21–17.
The last 2 scores in the first half were made by Texas Tech. The first was a Harrell pass to Michael Crabtree for a 74-yard gain. The second was another Harrell pass—this time to Eric Morris—for ten yards. Both were followed by successful point after tries by Trlica.
The second half opened with the Red Raiders leading, 35–17. Tech held Rice scoreless in the third quarter while adding 14. Crabtree scored on a nine-yard passing play and Kobey Lewis rushed one-yard for a touchdown. Successful PATs followed both scores.
In the fourth quarter, Texas Tech made their third unanswered touchdown—a 20-yard pass to Crabtree—to bring the score to 56–17. The Owls scored their final touchdown of the game when C. J. Ugokwe rushed up the middle for a seven-yard gain. Fangmeier made the point after.
The Red Raiders were able to score once more after backup quarterback Taylor Potts entered the game. Alex Trlica kicked a 39-yard field goal, making the final score 59–24 in favor of Texas Tech.
Oklahoma State
The Red Raiders' road game in StillwaterStillwater, Oklahoma
Stillwater is a city in north-central Oklahoma at the intersection of U.S. 177 and State Highway 51. It is the county seat of Payne County, Oklahoma, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 45,688. Stillwater is the principal city of the Stillwater Micropolitan Statistical...
against the Oklahoma State Cowboys
Oklahoma State Cowboys
Oklahoma State Cowboys are the athletic teams that represent Oklahoma State University. Their mascot is a cowboy named Pistol Pete. Oklahoma State participates in the NCAA's Division I-A and in the Big 12 Conference's South Division. The university's current athletic director is Mike Holder...
marked the first conference
Big 12 Conference
The Big 12 Conference is a college athletic conference of ten schools located in the Central United States, with its headquarters located in Las Colinas, a community in the Dallas, Texas suburb of Irving...
game of the season for both teams. Tech leads the series, 20–12–3. In 2006, Tech beat OSU in Lubbock. However, the Red Raiders have not won in Stillwater since 2001.
The game was an offensive shootout with Oklahoma State scoring 49 points to Texas Tech's 45. The first quarter saw two scores by the Red Raiders—a Graham Harrell pass to Michael Crabtree and a rushing touchdown by Shannon Woods. Between the two Tech scores, the Cowboys' Dantrell Savage rushed four yards for a touchdown. All three TDs were followed by successful point after tries.
After the beginning of the second quarter, Oklahoma State tied the score with a five-yard pass from Zac Robinson to Desmond Bryant, followed by a point after conversion by Jason Ricks. The Cowboys took the lead when Kendall Hunter rushed up the middle for a 46-yard gain followed by a successful PAT.
Another Harrell to Crabtree pass followed by successful PAT by Alex Trlica again tied the score. However, Oklahoma State answered when quarterback Zac Robinson rushed up the middle 48-yards for a TD and Ricks made the point after. The next two scores were made by the Red Raiders—a touchdown pass to Eric Morris and another to Michael Crabtree followed by PATs.
The second half opened with a 35–28 Red Raider lead but the Cowboys tied it when Zac Robinson rushed for a touchdown, followed by successful point after conversion. This marked the only score of the third quarter by either team.
Oklahoma State again took the lead in the final period of play when Seth Newton passed to Jeremy Broadway for a 33-yard gain, followed by successful PAT. The Red Raiders tied it again on a pass from Graham Harrell to Danny Amendola, followed by PAT, and took the lead on a 20-yard Alex Trlica field goal.
The Cowboys pulled ahead with the final score of the game when Zac Robinson passed to Brandon Pettigrew for a touchdown followed by point after conversion. Texas Tech answered with a drive that ended with a failed fourth down conversion when a pass from Harrell to Crabtree was dropped in the end zone.
After the poor defensive showing by the Red Raiders, Tech Defensive Coordinator Lyle Setencich
Lyle Setencich
-External links:...
resigned on September 23, 2007, ostensibly for personal reasons. Ruffin McNeill
Ruffin McNeill
Ruffin McNeill is the head football coach for the East Carolina Pirates. Before being named head coach, McNeill served the Texas Tech Red Raiders as an interim head coach, assistant head coach, special teams coordinator, and linebackers coach...
was appointed interim defensive coordinator.
In spite of the loss, Tech's Harrell was honored as AT&T
AT&T
AT&T Inc. is an American multinational telecommunications corporation headquartered in Whitacre Tower, Dallas, Texas, United States. It is the largest provider of mobile telephony and fixed telephony in the United States, and is also a provider of broadband and subscription television services...
's player of the week for completing 46 of 67 passes for 646 yards and five touchdowns. The recognition took place during halftime of the ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
college game (Southern Miss
The University of Southern Mississippi
The University of Southern Mississippi, informally known as Southern Miss, is a large public research university located in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, United States. It is situated north of Gulfport, Mississippi and northeast of New Orleans, Louisiana...
at Boise State
Boise State Broncos football
This page discusses the Boise State football program. For more Boise State athletics, see Boise State Broncos.The Boise State Broncos football program represents Boise State University in college football and compete in the Football Bowl Subdivision of Division I as a member of the Mountain West...
) on September 27, 2007.
Northwestern State
The Northwestern State DemonsNorthwestern State University
Northwestern State University, known as NSU, is a four-year public university primarily situated in Natchitoches, Louisiana, with a nursing campus in Shreveport and general campuses in Leesville/Fort Polk and Alexandria. It is a part of the University of Louisiana System.NSU was founded in 1884 as...
were unable to score in the first quarter, but the Texas Tech Red Raiders scored twice. The first was a four-yard rushing touchdown by Shannon Woods. The second was a 34-yard TD pass from Graham Harrell to Michael Crabtree.
Northwestern State's only score came on a touchdown at the opening of the second quarter when Quarterback Germayne Edmond passed to Dudley Guice for an 18-yard gain. Everett Scott made the PAT. Texas Tech scored four touchdowns and a field goal before the half.
The final half of the game saw two more touchdowns before Taylor Potts replaced Graham Harrell in the quarterback position. Potts passed for three touchdowns—two to Detron Lewis and one to Lyle Leong. Additionally, the Red Raiders scored on a safety when a fumble by the Demons bounced out of the back of the end zone in the fourth quarter. All Tech touchdowns in the game were followed by point after conversions by Alex Trlica.
Iowa State
For homecoming, the Red Raiders faced the CyclonesIowa State Cyclones football
The Iowa State Cyclones football team represents Iowa State University in college football. The Cyclones compete in the Big 12 Conference in the NCAA's Division I Football Bowl Subdivision. ISU started playing football in 1892, however, it did not become an official sport until 1894...
of Iowa State. While holding ISU scoreless in the first quarter, Texas Tech scored three touchdowns. The first was on a pass from Graham Harrell to Michael Crabtree for a 31-yard gain, the second was on a one-yard rush by Harrell, and the third was on another Harrell to Crabtree pass. All three were followed by successful point after tries by Alex Trlica.
The Red Raiders scored again in the second quarter when a Cyclone fumble was recovered by Darcel McBath who returned it 16 yards for a touchdown. This was followed by a Trlica PAT. ISU's first score of the game came on a 30-yard field goal by Bret Culbertson.
The second half opened with the Red Raiders holding a 28-3 lead. However, neither team was able to score in the third quarter of play.
Tech scored twice more in the final quarter—on a pass from Harrell to Danny Amendola and a pass from Harrell to Crabtree, both followed by PAT. The final two scores of the game were made by the Cyclones. Meyer rushed five yards for a touchdown, followed by Culbertson's PAT. Then, Meyer passed to Todd Blythe for a 38-yard gain, followed by PAT.
On October 11, 2007, AT&T announced that Texas Tech Quarterback Graham Harrell was the AT&T All-America Player of the Week. This marked the second time in three weeks that he was honored with the award.
Texas A&M
This game marked the Red Raiders' 66th meeting with the Aggies. Coming in, A&M led the series 34–30–1, though 1993 was the last time the Aggies won at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock. Coach Dennis FranchioneDennis Franchione
Dennis Wayne Franchione , also known as Coach Fran, is an American football coach. He is currently the head football coach at Texas State University, a position he held from 1990 to 1991, when the school was known as Southwest Texas State University, and resumed in 2011...
has a 1–3 record with Texas Tech as A&M head coach, and Tech coach Mike Leach has a 5–2 record with A&M as Tech head coach. In their previous meeting, the Raiders outscored the Aggies 31–27, after Tech redshirt sophomore quarterback Graham Harrell made a 37-yard touchdown pass with 26 seconds left in the game.
Texas A&M's only score came in the first quarter when Jorvorskie Lane
Jorvorskie Lane
Jorvorskie Javion Lane is an American football running back. He played tailback/fullback for the Texas A&M Aggies college football team. He played tailback during his freshman through junior seasons, and switched to fullback his senior season. He holds the school record for career rushing touchdowns...
rushed into the end zone on a one-yard gain. This was followed by a successful point after try by Matt Szymanski. Texas Tech was held scoreless in the quarter.
The Red Raiders were able to score three times in the second quarter. Graham Harrell passed to Eric Morris for a 13-yard touchdown. Later in the quarter, Harrell passed to Edward Britton for a 28-yard TD. The last TD was on a 2-yard rush by Shannon Woods. All three were followed by Alex Trlica point after conversions. Going into the half, Tech led 21–7.
Neither team scored in the third period of play, but the Red Raiders did add two more touchdowns in the final quarter. The first was a rushing touchdown by Harrell. The second was a Harrell-to-Amendola pass for an eight-yard gain. These were followed by PATs bringing the final score to 35–7 in favor of Texas Tech.
Missouri
Coming into the game, the Missouri Tigers were ranked 17th in the Coaches PollCoaches Poll
The USA Today Coaches' Poll is the current name for a weekly ranking of the top 25 NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football and Division I college basketball teams....
and the Texas Tech Red Raiders were ranked 21st.
The only two scores during the first quarter were made by the Tigers. First, a pass by Tech quarterback Graham Harrell was tipped resulting in an interception by Stryker Sulak who returned it 37 yards for a touchdown. This was followed by a successful point after try by Jeff Wolfert. Later in the quarter, Wolfert kicked a field goal.
The Red Raiders scored twice in the second quarter. A Harrell pass to Edward Britton resulted in a 67-yard touchdown. Alex Trlica made the PAT. Trlica kicked a 45-yard field goal later in the quarter. These would be the only times Tech scored during the game. Missouri scored a touchdown during the quarter when Jimmy Jackson rushed up the middle for a one-yard gain, followed by Wolfert PAT. The score at the half stood at 17–10 in favor of the Tigers.
Missouri's Jackson scored two more rushing touchdowns in the second half, both followed by successful point after conversions by Wolfert. A pass by Chase Daniel
Chase Daniel
William Chase Daniel is an American football quarterback for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League. He was signed by the Washington Redskins as an undrafted free agent in 2009...
to Jeremy Maclin resulted in a touchdown followed by Wolfert PAT. The last score of the game was a 39-yard Wolfert field goal.
Colorado
The Colorado BuffaloesColorado Buffaloes football
The Colorado Buffaloes football program represents the University of Colorado at Boulder in college football at the NCAA Division I FBS level. The team is currently a member of the Pacific-12 Conference, having previously been a charter member of the Big 12 Conference. Before joining the Big 12,...
scored twice—a touchdown in the first quarter and another in the second—before the Red Raiders put points on the board with two Alex Trlica field goals. Both of Colorado's scores were followed by successful point after tries by Kevin Eberhart. The score at the half stood at 14—6 in favor of the Buffaloes.
Colorado scored twice more in the beginning of the third quarter. The first was a field goal by Eberhart. The second was a 42-yard touchdown run by Jordan Dixon after he intercepted a Graham Harrell pass. The TD was followed by an Eberhart PAT. Tech answered with a five-play, 80-yard drive that ended with a touchdown pass from Harrell to Eric Morris, followed by Trlica PAT.
Both teams scored once more in the third quarter. The Buffaloes made a touchdown followed by PAT. The Red Raiders made a touchdown followed by a failed two-point conversion try.
Tech was the only team to score in the final quarter. Graham Harrell passed to Edward Britton for a touchdown. Alex Trlica followed it with a PAT. However, it would not be enough to overcome a Colorado lead created, in part, by four interceptions thrown by Harrell.
Baylor
Coming into the game, the series between Texas Tech and BaylorBaylor Bears
Baylor Bears refers to the sports teams of Baylor University. Baylor's men's sports teams are nicknamed the Bears, and some women's teams are nicknamed the Lady Bears. Student athletes participate in the NCAA's Division I, and Baylor is the only private school in the Big 12 Conference...
was tied at 32–32–1 with Tech winning the last eleven straight. A victory by the Red Raiders gave them the series lead.
Tech scored two touchdowns in the opening quarter. The first was on a Graham Harrell pass to Eric Morris for a 37-yard gain. The second was on a three-yard rush by Aaron Crawford. Both were followed by extra points by Alex Trlica. The Red Raiders scored again in the second quarter when Trlica kicked a 23-yard field goal. The score at the half stood at 17–0.
In the third quarter, all three of Tech's touchdowns were at the hands of Crawford. First, he caught a pass from Harrell. The second was a rushing TD and the third was on another pass from Harrell. All were followed by Trlica PATs.
The Baylor Bears made the only score in the final quarter when Blake Szymanski passed to Brandon Whitaker for a touchdown. This was followed by a point-after kick by Caleb Allen.
Texas
The series with the Texas LonghornsTexas Longhorns football
The Texas Longhorns football program is the intercollegiate football team representing The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas. The team currently competes in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Big 12 Conference which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National...
began in 1928 and Tech's record was 14-42–0 coming into this years game. In the 2006 contest, fifth-ranked Texas barely came away with a 35–31 win over an unranked Texas Tech team. Two days before the 2007 game, oddsmakers favored Texas to win by 6½ points.
Texas center Dallas Griffin was determined to be out for the season due to injuring his anterior cruciate ligament
Anterior cruciate ligament
The anterior cruciate ligament is a cruciate ligament which is one of the four major ligaments of the human knee. In the quadruped stifle , based on its anatomical position, it is referred to as the cranial cruciate ligament.The ACL originates from deep within the notch of the distal femur...
against Oklahoma State the week before the Texas Tech game. Backup defensive end Eddie Jones and reserve safety Drew Kelson also missed the game, while linebackers Jared Norton and Sergio Kindle were listed as "questionable" and "probable", respectively. The Austin American-Statesman reported, "Defensively, Texas must hope that the injured are quick healers because it's a given that the Longhorns will need every available body against the Red Raiders. Texas Tech fields the most dynamic passing offense in the country, and the Red Raiders also stay on the field an average of 77.3 plays per game. Tech further frustrates a defense by often going for fourth downs. They've been successful on 14 of 23 fourth-down attempts this season. A year ago, Tech was one of three on fourth downs in a 35-31 loss to Texas."
On the first series, the Horns scored a touchdown on a pass from McCoy to Shipley. Their defense held Tech to a field goal. Texas' offensive tackle Tony Hills injured his leg and left the game on a cart. Texas scored another touchdown on a run by Vondrell McGee to create a 14–3 lead at the end of the first quarter. Tech's Graham Harrell threw a touchdown pass and Texas answered with a rushing touchdown. On the ensuing kick, Texas used a pooch kick which was tipped by a Texas Tech player. The Longhorns' special team recovered the ball to set up a short field for their offense to rush for another touchdown. Tech brought the game to 28–20 with another touchdown. Texas drove into field goal range but tried to throw a touchdown pass with 11 seconds remaining in the half. The pass was intercepted for a touchback and the Red Raiders ran a short play to run out the half.
Jamaal Charles and tight end Jermichael Finley were injured in the second half but were able to return. In the fourth quarter, McCoy was on the sidelines nursing a cut on his head but he did not miss any snaps due to the injury. McCoy threw for four touchdowns and ran for two more. Both teams kept running their first team offense until late in the game; they combined for 47 points in the final 12 minutes and each scored a touchdown within the final two minutes of play. Tech attempted two onside kicks in an effort to come from behind, but Texas recovered both kicks.
During his post-game press conference, Texas Tech's Mike Leach used most of his time to rail against the officiating crew for making what he felt were bad calls. He speculated that the officials may have favored Texas because the head official lives in Austin, because they are incompetent, or possibly because the conference wants Texas to appear in a BCS bowl because of the increased appearance fees that such a bowl generates for the conference. Jim Vertuno of the Associated Press wrote "Leach was upset officials disallowed two Tech touchdowns in the third quarter. The first was overruled when video replay clearly showed the receiver let the ball hit the ground. On the next play, a touchdown pass was negated by a holding penalty. Leach also wanted, but didn't get, a flag for roughing the quarterback." The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
Lubbock Avalanche-Journal is a newspaper based in Lubbock, Texas, U.S. It is owned by the Morris Communications Company.-History:The Lubbock Avalanche was founded in 1900 by John James Dillard and Thad Tubbs. According to Dillard, the name "Avalanche" was chosen due to his desire that the...
reported, "Big 12 policy prohibits coaches from commenting publicly about game officials, so Leach’s actions leave him open to reprimand, fine or worse." ESPN reported, "Big 12 official spokesman Bob Burda did not immediately respond to telephone messages seeking comment. Leach's rant will likely draw a fine from the league and possibly a suspension."
On November 13, 2007, the Big 12 fined Leach $10,000, the largest fine in Big 12 history. Leach also received a reprimand and was warned that further violations can result in suspension. In a Big 12 coaches' conference call that day, Leach added that he did not regret making any of the comments. Leach announced that he will appeal the fine.
Tech alumni and fans began raising money to aid Leach in paying the penalty in the event that it was upheld. Optionally, the proceeds raised could be used charitably. So, just before Christmas 2008, Leach requested that the nearly $5,000 raised to that point be spent on 400 hams to be given free to families in Lubbock
Lubbock, Texas
Lubbock is a city in and the county seat of Lubbock County, Texas, United States. The city is located in the northwestern part of the state, a region known historically as the Llano Estacado, and the home of Texas Tech University and Lubbock Christian University...
. Future donations were to go to the university or athletic department.
Oklahoma
ABC
ESPN on ABC
ESPN on ABC is the brand used for sports programming on the ABC television network. Officially the broadcast network retains its own sports division; however, for all practical purposes, ABC's sports division has been merged with ESPN, a sports cable network majority-owned by ABC's parent, The...
broadcast the game live to the entire country. Previous games carried by ABC during the season were shown to only a portion of the market. This was be the largest single-viewed game since Mike Leach began coaching at Tech.
After starting at their own 20 yard line, Tech's quarterback Graham Harrell completed four straight passes to bring them to midfield. On the fifth play, Harrell's pass was intercepted by Lendy Holmes and returned for a touchdown giving Oklahoma the early lead. The Red Raiders answered on their next two possessions with two field goals to cut Oklahoma's lead to one point. On the Sooners' first offensive play, quarterback Sam Bradford
Sam Bradford
Samuel Jacob "Sam" Bradford is an American football quarterback for the St. Louis Rams of the National Football League. He was the first overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, and played college football at Oklahoma. In 2008, as a redshirt sophomore, Bradford became the second sophomore to win a...
handed the ball off to Allen Patrick who quickly fumbled. Bradford suffered a concussion when he tackled the Tech defender who recovered the lost ball. Bradford did not show any immediate signs as he played on the ensuing Oklahoma possession, but he later told quarterbacks coach Josh Heupel that he did not remember any of the plays from the previous drive and Bradford was benched for the remainder of the game. Bradford was replaced by backup Joey Halzle.
Texas Tech scored a touchdown on each of their next three possessions. Late in the second quarter, the Red Raiders fumbled the ball and it was recovered by Oklahoma. Oklahoma was unable to score a touchdown but managed a field goal with less than ten seconds remaining in the first half. Tech went into halftime with a 27–10 lead.
To begin the third quarter, the Sooners went three-and-out and the Red Raiders answered with another touchdown. On Oklahoma's next possession, they ran six rushing plays against three passing plays and managed another field goal. Tech missed a 51-yard field goal on their next possession. The two teams traded possessions for the remainder of the third quarter. The Sooners went three-and-out, the Red Raiders got a first down on the first play, then went three-and-out. Tech intercepted Halzle on the next possession and Oklahoma responded with their own interception on the following play.
In the fourth quarter, Oklahoma began to chip away at Tech's lead. Halzle completed a 65-yard touchdown pass to Manuel Johnson with less than eight minutes remaining to make it a two-possession game. Oklahoma got to the Tech seven yard line on their next possession but failed to convert. On the following possession, they got to the Tech 14 yard line but again failed to convert. With less than a minute left in the game, Halzle completed a 47-yard pass to Juaquin Iglesias that set up a nine-yard touchdown pass to Johnson to bring the Sooners within seven points. The Sooners attempted an onside kick with 20 seconds remaining but Tech got the ball and ran out the clock.
The Red Raiders were ranked 24th in the Coaches' Poll released the day following the game.
Virginia (Gator Bowl)
Texas Tech jumped out to an early 7–0 lead on a ten-yard touchdown pass from Graham Harrell on the Raiders' second possession of the game. Virginia answered by scoring 21 unanswered points, including two safeties when Harrell was called for intentional grounding in the endzone. Cavaliers' tailback Mikell SimpsonMikell Simpson
Mikell V. Simpson is an American college football player. He was most recently a running back for the Virginia Cavaliers of the University of Virginia.-Early years:...
also scored on a 96-yard run, setting an NCAA bowl record for a running back. The halftime score stood at 21–7.
Tech scored a touchdown in the third quarter but did not allow any points, narrowing Virginia's lead to a single touchdown. However, Simpson caught an eleven-yard pass from quarterback Peter Lalich with 11:26 left in the game to make the score 28–14.
With 7:54 left in the game, Texas Tech turned the ball over on downs just outside of Virginia's goal line. The Cavaliers were unable to pick up a first down and, following a punt, the Red Raiders took over at midfield trailing by 14 with 5:32 left. Harrell engineered an efficient drive completing five of his eight passes on the drive, including a 20-yard fade to Michael Crabtree for a touchdown to make it 28–21 with 3:31 left on the clock.
On Virginia's ensuing drive, Lalich was sacked and fumbled the football, setting up a one-play drive for Texas Tech—a four yard touchdown run for Aaron Crawford. Virginia was again unable to pick up a first down and Texas Tech drove to the UVA 24 yard line, kicking the winning 41-yard field goal with two seconds left. The final score was Texas Tech 31, Virginia 28.
Earlier in the season, Tech's head coach Mike Leach had been fined $10,000 for criticizing the officiating during the game at Texas. Fans contributed nearly $5,000 to help pay it and the money was spent to give free Christmas
Christmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
hams to Lubbock
Lubbock, Texas
Lubbock is a city in and the county seat of Lubbock County, Texas, United States. The city is located in the northwestern part of the state, a region known historically as the Llano Estacado, and the home of Texas Tech University and Lubbock Christian University...
families. So following the Gator Bowl, he joked when referring to the two penalties assessed against his team for intentional grounding in the end zone, "I felt like we had a back there on the one safety, but I don't comment on officiating. I just give out hams is what I do."
After the loss, the Cavaliers fell from the top twenty-five rankings. Meanwhile, the Red Raiders finished the season ranked 22nd in the AP Poll
AP Poll
The Associated Press College Poll refers to weekly rankings of the top 25 NCAA teams in one of three Division I college sports: football, men's basketball and women's basketball. The rankings are compiled by polling sportswriters across the nation...
and 23rd in the Coaches Poll
Coaches Poll
The USA Today Coaches' Poll is the current name for a weekly ranking of the top 25 NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football and Division I college basketball teams....
.
Statistics
- QB Graham HarrellGraham HarrellGraham Harrell is an American football quarterback. He was signed by the Green Bay Packers and is currently on their scout team. He played college football at Texas Tech.-Early years:...
: 512/713 (71.8%) for 5,705 yards and 48 TD vs. 14 INT. 38 carries for -91 yards and 4 TD. - RB Shannon Woods: 84 carries for 439 yards and 8 TD. 34 catches for 138 yards and 2 TD.
- RB Aaron Crawford: 54 carries for 214 yards and 4 TD. 38 catches for 246 yards and 2 TD.
- RB Kobey Lewis: 50 carries for 189 yards and 2 TD. 24 catches for 178 yards and 0 TD.
- WR Michael CrabtreeMichael CrabtreeMichael Alex Crabtree is an American football wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the 49ers with the 10th overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft. He played college football for Texas Tech, where he received recognition as one of the nation's...
: 134 catches for 1,962 yards and 22 TD. - WR Danny AmendolaDanny AmendolaDaniel Amendola is an American football wide receiver for the St. Louis Rams of the National Football League. He was signed by the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2008...
: 109 catches for 1,245 yards and 6 TD. - WR Eric Morris: 75 catches for 767 yards and 9 TD.
- WR Edward Britton: 48 catches for 631 yards and 4 TD.
- WR Grant Walker: 30 catches for 353 yards and 2 TD.
- WR L.A. Reed: 16 catches for 189 yards and 0 TD.
- WR Lyle Leong: 15 catches for 174 yards and 1 TD.
- WR Detron Lewis: 10 catches for 120 yards and 3 TD.