X-Factor Week 4: Kansas 44, Texas Tech 37

By The Virtual Levi Chronister, Kusports.Com Editor     Sep 24, 2004

Kansas University’s virtual football team scored early and often in the first half against Texas Tech as the Jayhawks led the Red Raiders, 31-13, at halftime.

Fortunately for the Jayhawks, they also scored late, winning the game, 44-37, on a last-minute touchdown pass from Adam Barmann to Gary Heaggans.

The virtual Jayhawks (3-1) jumped out a 17-0 lead less than eight minutes into the first half. Freshman kicker Scott Webb missed a 31-yard field goal on KU’s first possession, but the Jayhawks’ next three drives resulted in scores – a three-yard touchdown pass from Barmann to Brandon Watkins, a 38-yard field goal by Webb, and a 10-yard pass from Barmann to Brandon Rideau.

Rideau’s touchdown was set up by a 29-yard interception return by Tony Stubbs. KU’s other two scores came after the Jayhawk defense forced the Red Raiders offense into three-and-outs.

Texas Tech finally got on the board with just more than minute left in the first period on a 39-yard field goal by Keith Toogood.

The Jayhawks answered right back with a 61-yard scoring pass from Barmann to Heaggans, who outleaped Antonio Huffman at the Texas Tech 23-yard line and outran Chris Brister to the end zone. With just nine seconds gone from the second quarter, the Jayhawks led 24-3 and looked to be in complete control.

The Red Raiders finally put the ball in the end zone four minutes into the second period on an 83-yard pass from Sonny Cumbie to Nehemiah Glover, who sped downfield in front of Charles Gordon.

KU’s sophomore cornerback got his revenge two plays into Texas Tech’s next possession, picking off a Cumbie pass at KU’s 19-yard line and racing 81 yards untouched for a touchdown and a 31-10 lead.

Texas Tech closed to within 18 points, 31-13, just before halftime with a 34-yard field goal by Toogood.

The sophomore kicker added another field goal – a 23 yarder – four minutes into the third quarter, bringing the Red Raiders within 15 points.

Chad Johnson picked off Barmann on the first play of KU’s ensuing drive, giving Texas Tech great field position with a first-and-10 at KU’s 35-yard line.

On the fourth play of the drive, Cumbie appeared to have his second touchdown pass of the game – a 14-yard strike to Glover – but Dylan Gandy was called for holding. The penalty and a sack by Gabriel Toomey pushed Texas Tech out of field-goal range, forcing an Alex Reyes punt.

Texas Tech closed to within eight points, 31-23, late in the third quarter on a 15-yard scoring pass to Trey Haverty, but a pair of Webb field goals extended KU’s lead back to 14 points, 37-23.

That deficit wasn’t too big for the Red Raiders to overcome, tying the game at 37-all after a 28-yard pass to Haverty and a seven-yard scoring run by Taurean Henderson.

Kansas had a chance to take a 40-37 lead with just less than two minutes to go, but Webb missed a 42-yard attempt short and to the right.

Fortunately for the Jayhawks, Cumbie threw incomplete on three straight passes after Webb’s miss, running just 13 seconds off the clock and giving KU one last chance.

The Jayhawks took full advantage, moving downfield with the help of back-to-back third-down conversions, the second of which was a 36-yard touchdown pass to Heaggans, who again beat Huffman and Brister for the score.

Texas Tech had one final opportunity to score, but Rodney Harris picked off Cumbie on the fourth play of the drive, ending the Red Raiders’ hopes.

Barmann finished 25-of-69 passing for 386 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions. Heaggans caught seven passes for 171 yards and two touchdowns, and Rideau had eight receptions for 87 yards and a score.

John Randle led KU’s rushing attack with 125 yards on 32 carries.

Cumbie finished 34-of-94 passing for Texas Tech, with three touchdowns and four interceptions. He also rushed 11 times for minus-37 yards.

Jarrett Hicks caught 11 passes for 175 yards, and Nehemiah Glover had seven receptions for 211 yards and a touchdown.

Notes:
¢ Texas Tech defensive end Seth Nitschmann suffered a hip pointer during Watkins’ touchdown and missed the rest of the game.

  • Kansas cornerback Theo Baines bruised his right shoulder making a tackle in punt coverage with less than five minutes left in the first quarter. He missed the rest of the game. Jayhawk center Joe Vaughn also had to leave the game, suffering a dislocated right wrist in the fourth quarter.
  • Along with his misses on KU’s first and next-to-last drives, Webb also missed a 45-yard field goal early in the second quarter.
  • Both teams struggled early in the fourth quarter, as Barmann was picked off once, Donnie Amadi intercepted Cumbie, and Texas Tech turned the ball over on fumbles by Thomas Bachman and Henderson.
PREV POST

6Sports video: Jayhawks even out conference record

NEXT POST

6680X-Factor Week 4: Kansas 44, Texas Tech 37