• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Texas Tech seeks 6-0 start against Nebraska

Oct 11, 2008 - 10:17 AM Nebraska (3-2) at (7) Texas Tech (5-0), 3:00 pm EDT

LUBBOCK, Texas (Ticker) -- Despite being 5-0 for the fifth time in school history, Texas Tech is far from satisfied.

After overcoming a shaky start at Kansas State last week, the seventh-ranked Red Raiders return home Saturday to host Nebraska in a Big 12 Conference contest.

Texas Tech (5-0, 1-0 Big 12 South) found itself tied with the Wildcats early in the second quarter before pulling away for a 58-28 victory. In the win, Graham Harrell became the Red Raiders' all-time passer leader.

"That's just one step," wide receiver Michael Crabtree said. "We've got a lot more to do. I'm looking forward to that."

Harrell raised his career passing total to 12,709 yards, surpassing Kliff Kingsbury, who threw for 12,429 yards at Texas Tech from 1999-2002.

"I've had great receivers here and the offensive line has been great to me," Harrell said. "I've played in 30-some games here and only been sacked around 30 times."

One of those receivers is Crabtree, who already has 30 touchdown receptions midway through his sophomore season to tie the school record held by Jarrett Hicks. Harrell and Crabtree hooked up for a pair of scores against Kansas State.

A victory over Nebraska (3-2, 0-1 Big 12 North) will give the Red Raiders their fourth 6-0 start in school history but their second since 2005.

After giving up two early touchdowns to Kansas State, Texas Tech held its third straight opponent under 300 total yards. Still, it's the Red Raiders' potent offense that could pose more problems for Nebraska's battered defense, which is still reeling following last week's 52-17 loss to Missouri.

The Cornhuskers have surrendered 87 points in back-to-back losses to Virginia Tech and Missouri. Now they have to face a Texas Tech team that is third in the Football Bowl Subdivision in scoring, averaging 52.6 points per game.

Nebraska first-year coach Bo Pelini did not take the loss to Missouri well.

"I'm not used to losing," he said. "I'm not used to getting beat soundly. I apologize to the state of Nebraska, I apologize to everybody associated with the University of Nebraska football and it's my responsibility."

The Cornhuskers have dropped seven of their last nine conference games after finishing tied for last place in the Big 12 North last season.

Nebraska holds a 7-2 all-time edge against Texas Tech, but the Red Raiders have won the last two meetings, including a 34-31 victory in Lincoln in 2005.