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Texas Tech begins brutal stretch against Kansas

Oct 25, 2008 - 10:37 AM (6) Texas Tech (7-0) at (18) Kansas (5-2), 12:00 pm EDT

LAWRENCE, Kansas (Ticker) -- The honeymoon officially is over for Texas Tech.

Off to their best start in over 30 years, the sixth-ranked Red Raiders begin a rugged four-game stretch Saturday when they visit No. 18 Kansas on Saturday in a Big 12 Conference clash.

Texas Tech (7-0, 3-0 Big 12 South) overcame its first halftime deficit of the season to defeat Texas A&M, 43-25, last week. The victory extended the Red Raiders' winning streak to nine, the longest current run in the Big 12.

Texas Tech is 7-0 for the first time since 1976, but it will be severely tested over the next month with games against Kansas, top-ranked Texas, No. 8 Oklahoma State and No. 5 Oklahoma. Those four teams have a combined record of 25-3.

Last week, the Red Raiders allowed just five points in the second half after trailing, 23-20, at the intermission. The win left Texas Tech tied with Texas and Oklahoma State atop the Big 12 South.

Graham Harrell completed 44-of 56 passes for 450 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for two scores. With 13,443 career passing yards, he needs just 41 yards to pass Philip Rivers for fourth on the NCAA's all-time list.

After giving up 674 yards in a 45-31 loss to Oklahoma, Kansas (5-2, 2-1 Big 12 North) has to prepare for another high-powered offense this week.

The Jayhawks could not stay with the Sooners last week despite a record-setting performance by wide receiver Dezmon Briscoe, who set a pair of single-game school marks with 12 receptions for 269 yards.

Todd Reesing tied another school mark with his fifth 300-yard passing game of the season - a record he established last year.

Despite the loss, Kansas held on to first place in the Big 12 North, where the Jayhawks are the only team over .500 in conference play.

But now Kansas has to find a way to beat a Texas Tech team that has given it nothing but trouble.

The Red Raiders lead the all-time series, 9-1, including 5-0 in Lawrence. Kansas' only win was a 34-31 overtime victory in 2001.