The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper The Spokesman-Review
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883
Current Temperature
49°F
Current Conditions
Broken clouds
View complete weather report

Color Scheme

Subscribe now

Red Raiders make history

Texas Tech celebrates Alex Trlica's FG that sent game into OT. (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
Associated Press The Spokesman-Review
Texas Tech celebrates Alex Trlica's FG that sent game into OT. (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)

TEMPE, Ariz. – After spotting Minnesota a 31-point lead, Texas Tech rallied for a stunning 44-41 overtime victory in the Insight Bowl Friday night, the biggest comeback in Division I-A bowl history.

Joel Monroe kicked a 32-yard field goal to put Minnesota up 41-38 in overtime, but Shannon Woods scored on a 3-yard run to win it for the Red Raiders.

The previous record for a bowl comeback was 30 points, set by Marshall against East Carolina in the 2001 GMAC Bowl.

“We talked at halftime that we had a great opportunity to make history, and the reason people come to Texas Tech is to play all 60 minutes,” Texas Tech coach Mike Leach said.

Tech (8-6) appeared finished after Minnesota (6-7) took a 38-7 lead with 7:47 to go in the third quarter. But the Red Raiders mounted a furious comeback, scoring 31 unanswered points in less than 20 minutes.

Alex Trlica’s 52-yard field goal as regulation expired sent the game into overtime.

Tech’s comeback began with 4:58 to go in the third quarter, when Graham Harrell hit Joel Filani for a 43-yard score to cut the deficit to 38-14. That touchdown started an avalanche that buried Minnesota.

“We’re an offense that can score in a hurry, and everyone knows that,” Harrell said.

Trailing 38-35 with no timeouts, the Red Raiders took over at their 11 with 1:06 remaining. Eight plays later, Trlica tied it.

Harrell threw for 445 yards and two touchdowns. Woods rushed for 109 yards and three touchdowns and Filani caught nine passes for 144 yards.

For Minnesota, Amir Pinnix ran for 179 yards, Bryan Cupito threw for 263 yards and three touchdowns and Jack Simmons caught seven passes for 134 yards.

The Golden Eagles set a school bowl scoring record, and Cupito, a senior, tied Asad Abdul-Khaliq’s career record of 55 touchdown passes.

Minnesota looked as if it ended any Tech hopes for a comeback by opening the third quarter with a 16-play, 78-yard drive that consumed 7:13. Joel Monroe’s 20-yard field goal gave the Gophers a 38-7 lead.

As it turned out, Texas Tech had plenty of time left.