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Updated 2:08 AM on Sunday, October 14, 2007

Texas A&M's misery in Lubbock continues

By ROBERT CESSNA
Eagle Staff Writer

LUBBOCK - Texas A&M's tumultuous week came to a rocky end at the hands of the Texas Tech Red Raiders, who took pleasure in torturing the Aggies for the seventh straight time at Jones AT&T Stadium before 55,491 fans.

A&M scored first, but Tech gradually took complete control in rolling to a 35-7 victory, knocking the Aggies (5-2 overall, 2-1 Big 12) into a four-way tie for first place in the Big 12 South.

It was the first game for A&M head coach Dennis Franchione since the school released the findings of an internal investigation into his secret newsletter Thursday that included A&M reporting NCAA violations and giving Franchione a letter of admonishment.

Franchione said afterward he had no further comment because he'd already given a statement. Tech quarterback Graham Harrell made the statement that mattered Saturday.

Harrell shook off a jarring first-half hit, throwing for 425 yards and three touchdowns in lifting Tech (6-1, 2-1) into a deadlock in the South along with A&M, Oklahoma State and Oklahoma.

A&M had control early but didn't take advantage of it.

Tech's potent passing attack, which leads the nation at 513 yards per game, got off to a slow start. A&M opted to drop a lineman or two into coverage, which coupled with a stiff wind cut down on Harrell's ability to open up the passing game.

Tech had six runs and six passes in the first quarter for no points.

A&M scored on its first possession - 10 rushes for 73 yards - while never facing a third down.

The Aggies were on the move the second time they had the ball, but when the drive stalled, Matt Szymanski missed a 41-yard field goal.

Things didn't get any better for the Aggies.

Szymanski missed another field goal two possessions later, which allowed Tech to take a 21-7 lead into halftime.

A&M didn't do much in the third quarter -Ê12 plays for 32 yards - despite receiving the kickoff and having the wind at its back.

"We had our opportunities early," Franchione said. "And when you don't get points when you get your opportunities, it hurts."

Tech made the most of its chances.

Harrell shook off a slow start by passing the Red Raiders to a 14-7 lead midway through the second quarter. He had 10 straight completions, the last a 28-yarder to a wide-open Edward Britton.

Brilliant freshman wide receiver Michael Crabtree turned a quick screen pass from Harrell into a 54-yard gain to the A&M 26 with time running out in the first half.

Harrell was upset, however, about what happened after the next play.

Harrell threw the ball into the ground on the when he saw that running back Shannon Woods was well covered. A few seconds after throwing the ball, Harrell was leveled by A&M defensive end Von Miller.

Harrell said after the game that it was a cheap shot and should have been a penalty.

Referee Tom Walker didn't throw a flag. But he accidentally had his microphone on, and asked Harrell if he was all right as he staggered to his feet.

Harrell waved off help from the Tech bench before connecting with Crabtree for 19 more yards, a pass that eventually led to a 1-yard touchdown run by Woods.

The animated Harrell, who had complained to the refs about the hit, celebrated his team's 21-7 lead right in front of the Aggie Band, which was waiting to perform at halftime.

Tech started that drive after Szymanski missed a 34-yard field goal with 1:21 left.

"I think the one that really hurt was when we missed the second field goal and they go 80 yards there in a about a minute and scored a touchdown," Franchione said. "When you move the ball, you've got to get points, especially when you play this team. And we didn't do that."

Franchione said the tricky wind was to blame for the miss, and it wouldn't be fair to lay all the blame on Szymanski because the offense and defense had chances to make plays and didn't.

A&M crossed midfield only once more after its last missed field goal, reaching the Tech 3 on its last drive.

Tech's defense, under interim coordinator Ruffin McNeil for the third game, kept A&M out of the end zone with the help of a penalty.

That delighted the Tech students in the end zone, who chanted "guarantee, guarantee, guarantee," mocking A&M tailback Jorvorskie Lane, who predicted an A&M victory.

"No, I don't regret anything," Lane said. "It was a guarantee. It was a motivational thing for my team. We lost. What can I say? We start practice tomorrow and we get ready for Nebraska. We win together and lose together."

Tech's offense put the game away in the fourth quarter by scoring twice with the wind.

Tech finished with 108 yards rushing. The Red Raiders never scored against the wind, but they also never turned the ball over.

Harrell was 30-of-37 passing for 425 yards with three scores. Woods ended with 93 yards rushing on 21 carries. Crabtree, who had 70 catches for 1,074 yards with 17 TDs going into the game, had eight catches for 170 yards.

"[The balance] is a little disturbing," joked Tech coach Mike Leach. "We will have to throw the ball a little more next time. But it was good to see other people stepping up and making plays."

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NOTES - A&M had two players injured Saturday.

Defensive back Danny Gorrer left the game late with an injury, while offensive lineman Chris Yoder was injured in the first half and didn't return.