Sept. 2, 2006
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LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) - Graham Harrell threw for 342 yards and five touchdowns in his first start for No. 25 Texas Tech and the Red Raiders beat SMU 35-3 on Saturday night.
Harrell, who completed 34-of-49 passes, showed poise even as the Mustangs pressured him with numerous blitzes.
SMU (0-1) jumped in front with a field goal and had a good opportunity to pull within 11 points early in the second half. Blake Warren nearly returned a punt for a touchdown but was tackled by Tech punter Alex Reyes at the Red Raiders' 26.
Four plays later, after first-time starting quarterback Justin Willis fumbled the snap and lost 9 yards, the Mustangs missed a field goal from 49 yards to trail 21-3.
SMU at Texas Tech Post-Game Notes
• The missed 49-yard field goal by Thomas Morstead in the third quarter broke a school-record streak of 18 straight field goals made by SMU kickers. The Mustangs had not missed a FG since Sept. 10, 2005.
• The fourth-quarter interception by Joe Sturdivant was the fourth pick of his career.
• With 58 yards in punt returns tonight, Blake Warren now has 623 for his career. He ranks fourth on the SMU all-time list, 127 yards short of Doak Walker's career record or 750 and just 55 yards out of third place (Chris Cunningham, 678). The 54-yard return was the second-longest of his career.
• With 57 yards tonight, Jessie Henderson is now tied for 10th on SMU's all-time kick return yardage list with 720 yards.
• While it is just one game SMU punter Thomas Morstead's average of 43.2 yards per punt would be the best season average for a Mustang punter since Dodge Carter averaged 42.6 ypp in 1986.
• Cory Muse's sack tonight gives him 3.5 for his career.
• With 25 yards tonight, Bobby Chase has 1,133 receiving yards for his career - just 25 yards out of 15th place on SMU's all-time list.
• Several Mustangs got their first starts tonight - Justin Willis, Randall Goode, Vincent Chase, Emmanuel Sanders, Tony Hawkins, Tommy Poynter and Kenard Burley. Sanders, Willis and kicker/punter Thomas Morstead were seeing their first collegiate action.
