Red Raiders stun Cavaliers

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Texas Tech didn’t score 40 or more points, as it had all season. Through three quarters, the nation’s top passing offense couldn’t score much at all.

But Graham Harrell stayed with it, finishing 44 of 69 for 407 yards and three TDs, and the Red Raiders scored just enough to overcome a 14-point deficit and stun No. 21 Virginia 31-28 on a late field goal in the Gator Bowl on Tuesday.

Alex Trlica hit from 41 yards, despite swirling wind, with 2 seconds remaining. It was the third game-winner of the senior kicker’s career.

Tech overcame several mental errors, including pivotal penalties and a fumble, to come back from a 28-14 fourth-quarter deficit. Its aggressive pass offense couldn’t score much for three quarters, but Harrell still managed to rack up Gator Bowl records for yards, completions and attempts.

Just a few minutes before Trlica’s final field goal, the Cavaliers seemed to be in control. But Harrell connected with All-American Michael Crabtree for a touchdown. Then, Virginia gave Tech a gift. The ball was knocked out of backup Virginia quarterback Peter Lalich’s hands at the 4-yard line, Tech recovered and Aaron Crawford’s run a play later tied it at 28.

The Red Raiders overcame a tremendous effort by Virginia tailback Mikell Simpson, who ran for 170 yards on 20 carries – including a NCAA bowl-record 96-yard TD run – and caught another touchdown.