Dallas ? Texas Tech has proven in recent years that it can keep its offense chugging even when changing quarterbacks. Turns out, coach Mike Leach can plug offensive linemen and receivers into his system just as seamlessly.
Quarterback Graham Harrell welcomed four blockers and a trio of pass-catchers to the starting lineup by completing a career-high 44 passes for 419 yards and four touchdowns in a 49-9 victory Monday over SMU.
Red-shirt freshman Michael Crabtree announced his arrival with 12 catches for 106 yards, including touchdowns of 42, 2 and 1 yards. Senior Danny Amendola christened his starting debut with a 49-yard TD reception and finished with 10 catches for 149 yards.
“In this offense, you are going to put up big numbers, especially if you stay consistent and get the ball in the playmakers’ hands,” said Harrell, who threw 59 passes. “We came out and executed. That’s what we do at Tech, we execute and make plays.”
Harrell is Tech’s first incumbent quarterback since Kliff Kingsbury was in charge from 2000-02. The junior’s poise and accuracy kept the Red Raiders from missing last year’s starting receivers, who left with a combined 504 catches and 7,014 yards.
He went 6-for-6 on the opening drive, then capped it with a one-yard TD plunge. His next two TD drives went 95 and 88 yards, and he converted on six of his first eight third-down tries.
