Scout.com > Kansas Kansas Routed by Tech, 63-21 Story URL: http://kansas.scout.com/2/804800.html Kevin Flaherty Phog.net Oct 25, 2008 In a game billed as a shootout, one of the teams brought a knife to the gunfight. The Texas Tech Red Raiders brought the firearm, and used a 42-0 advantage in the second and third quarters to coast to a 63-21 victory over the knife-wielding Kansas Jayhawks Saturday afternoon. “We just didn’t play well,” said Kansas Coach Mark Mangino. “They’re a very good football team and we didn’t match up with them like we would have liked to.” The Jayhawks lost serve early on. After holding Kansas to a three-and-out on its first possession, Texas Tech struck quickly, with Graham Harrell finding Edward Britton over the top for a 55-yard touchdown less than three minutes into the ballgame. Kansas came back with a long pass of its own, tying the score at seven when Todd Reesing hit a wide-open Kerry Meier from 33 yards out. Tech regained the lead eight plays later when, on a third and goal from the four, Harrell connected with Crabtree on a slant route.  That’s when the Red Raiders broke out, scoring the next seven touchdowns. Texas Tech regained the lead on a seven-yard pass from Harrell to Morris, then held Kansas to a three-and-out. The Red Raiders then traveled 66 yards on 12 plays and scored a touchdown on a three-yard Shannon Woods run. It got even worse after defensive end Brandon Williams sacked Reesing, forcing a fumble that was recovered by defensive end McKinner Dixon. Tech upped the lead to 35-14 just five plays later on a second Harrell to Morris touchdown, this one from 10 yards out. At one point, Rich Bailey, the press box announcer, forgot his microphone was on and said “wide open,” as Texas Tech completed another pass. In all, Kansas only stopped Texas Tech once in the first half – when the Red Raiders ran out the clock at the end of the half. It didn’t get any better in the second half. Aided by two third quarter Reesing interceptions, Texas Tech scored three more times in the period, upping the lead to 56-14. The Raiders picked off a third Reesing pass in the stanza, but failed to capitalize when Donnie Carona missed a 43-yard field goal. “I think the tech defense made some plays,” Mangino said. “They had some safeties that did a good job of getting under some routes. Todd probably made a couple decisions that he shouldn’t have, but he doesn’t do that very often so it’s hard to find fault with him.” The teams traded touchdowns in the fourth quarter, with Texas Tech scoring on a 10-yard pass to Adam James and Kansas scoring on a one-yard Jocques Crawford run. Harrell passed for 386 yards and five touchdowns. He also rushed for a score. Texas Tech spread the ball around efficiently – eight different receivers had at least two catches, while six players had at least 30 yards receiving. Crabtree, who hauled in nine passes for 70 yards, led the team in catches while Britton led the team in yards with 106. Shannon Woods finished with 79 yards and two touchdowns on the ground, while Baron Batch had 117 total yards. Overall, the Red Raiders put up 556 yards of total offense. “We weren’t concentrating on what they were trying to do, we were focused on executing and moving the ball,” Harrell said. “That’s what we did. We went out there and executed well. When we play like that. We’re tough to beat. When our line protects, we’re tough to beat.” Reesing started the game 9-10 for 98 yards and two touchdowns in the first quarter, but was just 7-16 for 56 yards and three interceptions afterward. Kansas running backs Jake Sharp, Jocques Crawford and Angus Quigley combined for 150 yards on the ground, and averaged more than 5.5 yards per carry. Briscoe had eight catches for 55 yards and a touchdown, while Meier added six catches for 70 yards and a score. As a team, Kansas has 154 yards in the first quarter, and didn’t top the 300 yard mark until late in the fourth quarter. “Here’s the reality of it: we got a good old fashioned butt-whooping today, and we know that,” Mangino said. “It happens to everybody from time-to-time in college football. You just get a day where the snowball starts rolling downhill, and it gets bigger and bigger and before you know it, you have no chance to stop it and it runs you over. That’s what happened to us today.” Kansas will play again at home next Saturday, this time against Kansas State. “In our locker room, there is no panic or feeling bad,” Mangino said. “Nobody’s taking that route. We don’t do that here. This program has had to fight through losses before and tough times before and we will continue to do that. There is no doubt in my mind our team will be ready to play next week. I’m not concerned about that.” News and notes •    Tight end Tim Biere, free safety Phillip Strozier and cornerback Corrigan Powell all earned their first starts in Saturday’s game. •    Kansas tried several tactics to keep up with Texas Tech’s spread attack. Daymond Patterson saw his debut performance at cornerback, while safety Justin Thornton started at cornerback and played man against Crabtree for much of the game. At the end of the game, Justin Springer saw time at defensive end, where he had two tackles, including one for loss. Usual cornerback starter Kendrick Harper didn’t really see any time until late in the game. •    The loss marks the first Kansas loss in Memorial Stadium since losing to Oklahoma State in October 2006. Kansas had won 13 straight at home. Scoring Summary Texas Tech – Edward Britton 55 pass from Graham Harrell (Matt  Williams kick), 12:46 1Q Kansas – Kerry Meier 33 pass from Todd Reesing (Jacob Branstetter kick), 8:58 1Q TT – Michael Crabtree 4 pass from Harrell (Williams kick), 5:54 1Q KU – Dezmon Briscoe 10 pass from Todd Reesing (Branstetter kick), 1:09 1Q TT – Eric Morris 7 pass from Harrell (Williams kick), 12:58 2Q TT – Shannon Woods 3 run (Williams kick), 5:55 2Q TT – Morris 10 pass from Harrell (Williams kick), 2:15 2Q TT – Harrell 1 run (Williams kick), 8:23 3Q TT – Crabtree 16 pass from Harrell (Williams kick), 5:05 3Q TT – Woods 2 run (Williams kick), 2:42 3Q TT – Adam James 10 pass from Taylor Potts (Williams kick), 11:12 4Q KU – Jocques Crawford 1 run (Branstetter kick), 3:52 4Q Copyright © Scout.com and Phog.net