Texas Tech upsets No. 4 Texas

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Posted 8:07AM on Sunday, November 17, 2002

LUBBOCK, TEXAS - Kliff Kingsbury knocked No. 4 Texas out of the national title chase with six touchdown passes in leading Texas Tech to a 42-38 upset over the Longhorns on Saturday. Kingsbury, who completed 38 of 60 passes for 473 yards against one of the nation's top defenses, not only dashed Texas' title hopes but also lifted Texas Tech (8-4, 5-2) into the Big 12 South race. The Red Raiders visit co-No. 4 Oklahoma (9-1, 5-1) next Saturday, with the winner taking the division and advancing to the Big 12 title game on Dec. 7. The defeat was another tough blow for Texas (9-2, 5-2) and coach Mack Brown. A loss to Oklahoma last month all but eliminated the Longhorns from the conference race, but they still had an outside chance of reaching the BCS' national title game in the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 3. That's gone, too. Chris Simms, who threw for 345 yards and four TD passes, tried to lead Texas back, but Texas Tech safety Ryan Aycock intercepted a pass with 5:21 remaining to seal the win. Although Texas' defense came into the game ranked fifth nationally, allowing just 261 yards per game, Texas Tech had 306 yards by halftime and finished with 606. With the score tied at 21-all at the half, Kingsbury opned the third quarter with eight straight completions, including a 5-yard TD pass to Wes Welker, who had 247 all-purpose yards. After his big day, Kingsbury moved up to the No. 4 passer in Division I history with 11,831 yards, passing Todd Santos of San Diego State, Chris Redman of Louisville and Tim Rattay of Louisiana Tech. Texas took a 7-0 lead when Cedric Benson scored from 2 yards just out two plays Kingsbury fumbled on Tech's first play from scrimmage. After a Tech punt forced Texas to start at its 10, Simms led the 'Horns on a 12-play drive, finding Roy Williams alone in the end zone to give Texas a 14-0 lead. Texas kept the drive alive on a fake punt. Tech, averaging just over 38 points before the game, failed to score in the first quarter for the first time since its opening game 45-21 loss to Ohio State. But the Red Raiders came back in the second quarter to tie it at 14-all with touchdown passes from Kingsbury of 23 and 15 yards in the first five minutes. Simms answered with a 19-yard TD pass to Williams for a 21-14 lead. Tech got the ball back on its own 14 with 1:01 left in the half and no time outs. That didn't stop Kingsbury, who threw a 62-yard TD pass to Nehemiah Glover.