Texas Tech QB Harrell has surgery on non-throwing hand

Dec 1, 2008 - 6:22 PM LUBBOCK, Texas (Ticker) -- Texas Tech quarterback Graham Harrell had surgery Sunday to repair fractures in two fingers on his non-throwing hand.

Chris Cook, a football spokesman at Texas Tech, confirmed that Harrell underwent the operation to fix nine fractures in the pinkie and ring fingers on his left hand.

Harrell suffered the injuries in the first half of Saturday's 35-28 victory over Baylor. The senior was carted off the field before halftime but played the entire second half, rallying the Red Raiders (11-1) from a two-touchdown deficit.

According to a report by ESPN.com, Harrell underwent a four-hour surgery and had 17 pins and two plates inserted into his hand.

Texas Tech did not disclose exactly when or how Harrell sustained the injury. However, Cook said that the Red Raiders expect Harrell to play in their upcoming bowl game.

Cook also said that Harrell would be able to play if Texas Tech had reached next weekend's Big 12 championship game.

The Red Raiders finished tied with Oklahoma and Texas atop the Big 12 South Division but lost a three-way tiebreaker to the Sooners based on the BCS standings.

Harrell has completed 72 percent of his passes this season for 4,747 yards and 41 touchdowns. He has helped lead the Red Raiders to the third 11-win season in school history and their first since 1973.