College Confidential

Texas struggling on special teams

Oklahoma State just scored its second TD of the first hal, both of which were set up by 52-yard kickoff returns. The Cowboys' latest TD drive covered 29 yards and cut the deficit to 21-14 in the final minute of the first half.

_ Jimmy Burch

No UT rally needed this year

Barring a reversal of first-half fortunes, Texas does not look like it will be needing a second-half rally this season against Oklahoma State. Some timely second-half defensive stops, definitely. But probably not a rally.

The offense has started quickly, with TD drives of 93, 91 yand 80 ards in the first half. Texas leads, 21-7, with 4:18 left in the half.

_ Jimmy Burch 

Texas Tech prevails in a rout, 63-21, over Kansas

LAWRENCE, Kan. -- In a game that surprisingly wasn't even close, the Texas Tech Red Raiders put on their moist impressive performance of the season in running over Kansas, 63-21, Saturday afternoon at Memorial Stadium.

Tech QB Graham Harrell completed 34 of 42 passes for 386 yards and five touchdowns, and also ran for another score in a dominating performance. The eighth-ranked Red Raiders increased their record to 8-0  overall and 4-0 in the Big 12, while 19th-ranked Kansas dropped to 5-3 overall and 2-2 in conference play.

"I was real happy with the way our team came out,'' Tech coach Mike Leach said. "We were excited to prepare all week and we played well when we got here.

"Our defense got better and better as the game went on.''

Tech scored touchdowns on its first five possessions of the first half and on its first three possessions of the second half.

Kansas had allowed only 38 points total in four previous home games this year. But in having their 13-game home winning streak snapped, the Jayhawks never really had a chance.

"They're a very good football team and we didn't match up with them like we would have liked to,'' Kansas coach Mark Mangino said. "They mix it up with the run and the pass.''

-- Dwain Price

For Texas Tech, get the calculator out

LAWRENCE, Kan. _ Even with starting quarterback Graham Harrell on the sidelines, the Texas Tech offense continues to score in calculator-type fashion.

Backup QB Taylor Potts rifled a 10-yard TD to Adam James as the Red Raiders widen their lead over hapless Kansas to 63-14 with 11:12 left in the game. The five-play, 45-yard scoring drive came after KU failed on a fourth-and-5 from its own 45.

 Harrell played just three quarters and finished the day with 34 completions in 42 attempts for 386 yards and five touchdowns, and he also ran for one TD. Michael Crabtree had nine catches for 70 yards and two touchdowns, Eric Morris caught seven passes for 39 yards and a pair of TDs, and Shannon Woods rushed 11 times for 80 yards and two touchdowns. 

_ Dwain Price

Tech is piling it on

LAWRENCE, Kan. _ Running back Shannon Woods bolted over the goal line from the 1 as Texas Tech continues its rout of Kansas, leading 56-14 with 2:42 left in the first quarter.

The six-yard, 47-yard TD drive was set up when safety Darcel McBath intercepted his second pass of the game.

_ Dwain Price

The points just keep on coming for Tech

LAWRENCE, Kan. _ Texas Tech continues its impressive outing against Kansas with yet another touchdown.

Michael Crabtree hauled in his second TD of the game _ a 16-yarder on third-and-goal _ from Graham Harrell to provide the Red Raiders with a whopping 49-14 lead. The seven-play, 43-yard excursion came shortly after safety Darcel McBath intercepted a Todd Reesing pass.

Meanwhile, new kicker Matt Williams is 7-for-7 on extra point kicks.

_ Dwain Price

Texas Tech blowing out Kansas

LAWRENCE, Kan. _ The rout is on.

Graham Harrell tossed his fourth touchdown pass of the game as Texas Tech compiled a 35-14 lead with 2:15 left before halftime.

Harrell's fourth TD was a 10-yarder to Eric Morris, who caught his second touchdown of the day. The five-play, 38-yard drive came after Tech left defensive end Brandon Williams stripped the ball from KU quarterback Todd Reesing and the fumble was recovered by right defensive end McKinner Dixon at the Jayhawk 38.

Matt Williams booted his fifth PAT in as many atempts for Tech.

_ Dwain Price

Tech stretches its lead to 28-14

LAWRENCE, Kan. _ Shannon Woods darted into the end zone from the 3 as Texas Tech moved ahead of Kansas 28-14 with 5:55 remaining in the second quarter.

The drive, highlighted by a 7-yard completion to Detron Lewis on third-and-7 that carried to the Kansas 3. The scoring drive covered 12 plays and lasted 66 yards.

Tech's drive came after the Red Raiders forced Kansas onto just its seocnd punt of the game.

_ Dwain Price

Red Raiders are back on top

LAWRENCE, Kan. _ Texas Tech quarterback Graham Harrell fired his third touchdown of the game _ a 7-yarder to Eric Morris _ as the Red Raiders inched ahead of Kansas, 21-14.

The TD, which came with 12:58 remaining before intermission, culminated a seven-play, 69-yard drive. The big play in the drive was a 24-yard screen pass to Baron Batch.

Matt Williams booted his third PAT of the game in as many attempts for Tech.

Incidently, the two tejams combined for 301 yards in the first period, with KU gaining 154 yards and Tech netting 147 yards.

_ Dwain Price

Kansas knots it up again

LAWRENCE, Kan. _ Todd Reesing threw a 10-yard touchdown to Dezmon Briscoe to tie Saturday's game against Texas Tech at 14-14 with 1:09 left on the first period.

KU's drive lasted nine plays and chewed up 72 yards.

_ Dwain Price