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Harrell leads aerial attack as Texas Tech romps UMass

Sep 21, 2008 - 4:02 AM LUBBOCK, Texas (Ticker) -- Graham Harrell and Texas Tech may have eaten their last cupcake.

Harrell tossed all four of his touchdowns in the first half and Shannon Woods ran for three scores as the 10th-ranked Red Raiders rolled to a 56-14 victory over Massachusetts of the Football Championship Subdivision on Saturday.

Texas Tech (4-0) won its first three non-conference games by a combined score of 150-27.

It was more of the same in this one, as Eric Morris caught two TDs and Michael Crabtree hauled in a 2-yard score for the Red Raiders, who beat up on a UMass team that had allowed 110 points in its first three games.

UMass coach Don Brown was thoroughly impressed.

"I've been coaching in New England my whole coaching career and we've played a number of I-A games," Brown said.

"That's the best I-A team I've ever been around or ever competed against. They're extremely talented and obviously Graham Harrell is unbelievable."

This may be the last guaranteed win for Texas Tech, which opens Big 12 Conference play on October 4 vs. Kansas State.

"We haven't had one since 2004 and I think everyone was kind of shocked when we found that out," Texas Tech coach Mike Leach said. "We have to manage it well and get better as a team. We need to take advantage of the practice opportunities, and get ready to go on the field at Kansas State."

"We aren't going to mind the days off we're fixing to get," said Woods, who recorded his first 100-yard game since 2006.

Kansas State will surely put up a tougher fight than the overmatched Minutemen.

Harrell completed 27-of-34 passes for 322 yards and connected with 11 different receivers for the Red Raiders, who scored on six of their first seven possessions and rolled up 391 of their 538 yards in the first half.

Woods' 2-yard TD run opened the scoring and 3:33 later, Harrell hit Tramain Swindall for a 17-yard score. The only offensive miscue came when Swindall's fumble was returned 53-yards by Brian Ellis for a score.

Harrell responded by hitting Morris for a 12-yard TD, followed by a 38-yard run by Woods. Crabtree hauled in a touchdown and Morris snagged a 4-yard strike for a 42-7 lead with 58 seconds left in the half.

The defense got into the act in the second half, as Darcel McBath returned an interception 45 yards for a score and a 49-7 lead. Woods third score made it 56-7 with 3:20 left in the third. He ran for 108 yards on 10 carries.

"I was proud of our overall effort. The first group all played well," Leach said.

Liam Coen completed 13-of-20 passes for 145 yards for the Minutemen, who managed just 253 yards and have not beaten an FBS opponent since 1984. Korrey Davis ran for 51 yards on 15 carries and scored UMass' lone offensive touchdown.

Coen said the Red Raiders were in a different class than any team they've played.

"Absolutely. Boston College was a good team last year (and) they were up there in the rankings, but this is a different breed down here and we knew that coming into the game. We expected that," he said.