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Harrell's aerial show helps Texas Tech upset Oklahoma

Nov 18, 2007 - 5:43 AM LUBBOCK, Texas (Ticker) -- Graham Harrell threw for 420 yards and two touchdowns to lead Texas Tech to a 34-27 upset against third-ranked Oklahoma on Saturday.

In a showdown of two of the Big 12's premier quarterbacks, Harrell - the nation's leader in passing yards and touchdowns - was able to steal the spotlight from Sam Bradford, who entered Saturday's game as college football's most efficient passer.

Bradford, however, never had much of a chance to state his case as he appeared to suffer a concussion on the Sooners' first offensive snap. In an attempt to cover a fumbled handoff to running back Allen Patrick, Red Raider linebacker Marlon Williams fell on Bradford.

Bradford would play the next series, but did not appear in the game after that.

Things also started ominously for the Red Raiders. On the fifth play of their first drive, Harrell was intercepted by Lendy Holmes, who returned the pass 63 yards for a touchdown.

Texas Tech (8-4, 4-4 Big 12 South) chipped away at the lead throughout the rest of the first quarter. After a pair of field goals by Alex Trlica, the Red Raiders took a 13-7 lead with a one-yard quarterback sneak by Harrell.

After forcing a punt from Oklahoma on the ensuing possession, Texas Tech continued its run of 27 unanswered points after Harrell hit freshman sensation Michael Crabtree for a 13-yard TD.

Crabtree, who leads college football in receptions (129), receiving yards (1,861) and receiving touchdowns (21), continued his march on the record books. With 12 catches for 154 receiving yards on Saturday, the 6-3, 220-pound freshman moved to within 199 yards of Nevada receiver Trevor Insley (2,060) in 1998.

The Red Raiders defense forced another three-and-out, leading to a 10-play, 64-yard drive that was capped by Harrell's 15-yard TD pass to Eric Morris to extend the lead to 27-7. Oklahoma added a field goal before the half to cut the deficit to 27-10.

Harrell finished 47-for-72 for the game, becoming the 47th quarterback in NCAA history to amass more than 10,000 career passing yards. The junior signal-caller entered the break an amazing 30-for-47 line for 284-yard at intermission.

The 72 attempts were a career-high for Harrell.

The onslaught continued on the first drive of the third quarter for the Red Raiders. Aaron Crawford scored from three yards out to increase the bulge to 34-10.

On the drive, receiver Danny Amendola recorded his 100th reception of the season, joining Crabtree as the second receiving duo in NCAA history to record 100 catches apiece in the same season.

Oklahoma Joey Halzle overcame a rough first half in which he completed just four passes for 24 yards with a solid second half. The junior quarterback led two scoring drives in the fourth quarter to narrow the deficit to 34-27 with 31 seconds remaining.

Oklahoma, however, was unable to recover an onside kick.

Halzle went 21-for-47 for 291 yards in relief of Bradford for the Sooners (9-2, 5-2 Big 12 South), who became the 11th top 10 team this season to lose to an unranked opponent.

The setback also placed Oklahoma into a first-place tie in the South Division with Texas (9-2, 5-2 Big 12 South), meaning they will need to defeat Oklahoma State next Saturday or need a Texas loss to Texas A&M to secure a berth in the Big 12 Championship game.