The Daily Toreador - Student Newspaper of Texas Tech

Issue date: 10/6/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Ken Muir

MANHATTAN, Kan. - Against this Kansas State team, No. 7 Texas Tech could have dropped the ball.

But the Red Raiders (5-0, 1-0 in Big 12 Conference play) did just the opposite, putting on perhaps their best performance of the year on offense behind Graham Harrell's 454 passing yards and six touchdowns.

"I think we played well as a team," Harrell said. "As an offense, I think it's the best we have played all year and we just have to keep improving."

Tech coach Mike Leach said he agreed the offense had its best game of the season and lauded his quarterback's performance.

"Graham really managed the game well," Leach said. "He did a really good job staying within himself and just making routine plays."

Harrell's 454 yards through the air brought his career total to 12,709, surpassing Kliff Kingsbury, and making him both Tech's and the Big 12's career passing leader. Harrell's six touchdowns also tied a career high for the senior.

Harrell threw three of those six touchdowns to receiver Lyle Leong.

Leong said he could not complain about only catching touchdowns, but is motivated to catch more passes in future games.

Tech receiver Michael Crabtree also had a multi-touchdown day, catching two touchdowns to tie former Tech receiver Jarrett Hicks for Tech's career school record of 30. Crabtree also amassed 107 yards receiving.

Crabtree said he was unaware he had tied Hicks' record, but it was satisfying to know he broke it. He also said he was glad to see Leong and other receivers in the end zone.

"I'm trying to win," he said. "If they double-team me, then we're just going to throw it down their throat. We're trying to win every game."

Kansas State coach Ron Prince said Tech's offensive line was one of the primary reasons the Wildcats had trouble keeping up. He said it was just a matter of being physical.

"Their offensive and defensive line(s) were terrific," Prince said. "We were out-physicaled for a bulk of the game."

The game, projected to be an offensive shootout by some, provided plenty of fireworks in the first quarter. Both Tech and K-State scored on its opening drives, taking just over three minutes off the clock.

Tech also converted on its second drive, but on its third, the Red Raiders attempted a 4th and 1 play at their own 29. Running back Shannon Woods ran up the middle, and was stopped behind the line for a turnover on downs.

K-State (3-2, 0-1 in Big 12 play) scored on the short field and tied the game at 14 early in the second quarter.

Tech's defense then forced two straight three-and-outs, which the offense converted into touchdowns.

From there, the margin quickly widened as Tech outscored the Wildcats 24-7 in the second quarter.

K-State quarterback Josh Freeman threw only one incompletion in the first quarter, going 6-of-7, but completed only three passes in the second, finishing the half 9-of-20.

"I am embarrassed," Freeman said. "As a quarterback and leader of the offense, it is unacceptable to play the way we played."

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