El Paso, TX - Alex Trlica booted a 49-yard field goal in
overtime to give 24th-ranked Texas Tech a slim 38-35 victory over UTEP at the
Sun Bowl.
Graham Harrell completed 40-of-52 passes for 376 yards and two touchdowns and
Joel Filani hauled in 10 catches for 169 yards and a score for the Red Raiders
(2-0), who defeated SMU, 35-3, in their season opener last week.
Jordan Palmer threw for 334 yards on 34-of-51 passing, with three touchdowns
and two interceptions. Johnnie Lee Higgins caught 13 passes for 162 yards and
two scores for UTEP (1-1), which beat San Diego State, 34-27, in its first
game on August 31.
Texas Tech took a 7-0 lead on the first play of the second quarter when
Harrell punched in a one-yard run up the middle.
UTEP answered back on the next possession on Joe West's 41-yard touchdown
reception from Lorne Sam, but Reagan Schneider's missed PAT kept the score at
7-6 with 12:16 remaining in the half.
On the ensuing possession, Trlica kicked a 25-yard field goal to give the Red
Raiders a 10-6 lead.
After UTEP went three-and-out, Texas Tech took over on their own 43-yard line.
Harrell completed a 21-yard pass to Filani and Shannon Woods then rushed up
the middle for 23 yards. Three plays later, Harrell connected with Filani for
a 6-yard touchdown pass to go up 17-6.
The Miners fought right back, however, constructing an 11-play, 80-yard drive
to cut their deficit to six just before halftime. Palmer completed 8-of-13
passes for 90 yards, but UTEP, trying cut within a field goal, failed to
convert on a two-point conversion.
Texas Tech went up 24-12 on their opening drive in the third on Robert
Johnson's 15-yard touchdown catch.
UTEP marched down the field on the next possession to make it a 24-19 game on
Sam's nine-yard rushing touchdown. The drive was highlighted by a 16-yard pass
from Palmer to Higgins for a first down.
The Miners took their first lead of the game, 25-24, with 4:51 left in the
third. Palmer found Jamar Hunt for a three-yard TD pass, but once again, UTEP
failed on a two-point conversion.
After Quintin Demps intercepted Harrell, UTEP took over on Texas Tech's 47-
yard line and opened the fourth with a 25-yard field goal by Schneider to give
the Miners a 28-24 lead.
Texas Tech capped a 12-play, 71-yard drive with a 25-yard field goal by Trlica
to cut within one.
A quick three-and-out by UTEP brought Texas Tech's offense back on the field.
Woods' 10-yard rushing score and Harrell's pass to Johnson for the two-point
conversion, gave the Red Raiders a 35-28 lead with 7:15 to play.
With 1:15 remaining in the fourth, UTEP tied the game 35-35 on Higgins' 39-
yard touchdown reception.
Game Notes
Woods ran for 82 yards on 12 carries.
Texas Tech leads the series 13-6-1,
including 7-3-1 in games played in El Paso.
The Red Raiders have won the last
four meetings between the schools.
UTEP is 3-43 all-time versus AP Top-25
squads.
© 2006 The Sports Network
USA
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