Tulsa World: OSU's defense: Burnt orange

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OSU's defense: Burnt orange

Texas Tech's Michael Crabtree (left) breaks the tackle of OSU's Jacob Lacey and Quinton Moore to score a touchdown in the second quarter of Saturday's game. The Red Raiders put up 516 yards passing and 113 yards rushing on OSU's defense. Tech didn't attempt a punt. STEPHEN HOLMAN/Tulsa World

By MATT DOYLE World Sports Writer
Published: 11/9/2008 2:13 AM
Last Modified: 11/9/2008 3:23 AM

LUBBOCK, Texas — The message that flashed on the Jones AT&T Stadium scoreboard following a Michael Crabtree touchdown mocked an Oklahoma State advertising slogan.

Unfortunately from the Cowboys' perspective, it spoke a harsh reality Saturday night.

The message: "a brighter shade of orange gets burnt." Texas Tech quarterback Graham Harrell carved up OSU's defense in the second-ranked Red Raiders' 56-20 victory over the eighth-ranked Cowboys.

The strides OSU's defense has made the past month were forgotten.

"We got hit with a wake-up call," linebacker Patrick Lavine said. "Usually, all season our defense has been making plays and creating turnovers. Tonight, we weren't able to do that."

Lavine recovered a Harrell fumble on the third play of the game to set up OSU's first touchdown. But it was one of the few mistakes the Cowboys forced all night.

Harrell directed seven consecutive touchdown drives following the fumble.

The Red Raiders' senior quarterback was 40-of-50 passing for 456 yards and six touchdowns.

OSU coach Mike Gundy said his defense took a step back Saturday. Tech's 629 yards were the most the Cowboys allowed this year.

"We didn't play very well. They had a lot of success," Gundy said.

The pregame goal of trying to get Harrell off rhythm never materialized.

Harrell was in a rhythm all game. He completed passes to eight receivers, and all eight of those receivers had at least two receptions.

While three of Crabtree's eight catches went for touchdowns, Eric Morris was Tech's top pass catcher, with 10 grabs for 97 yards and a score.

"Graham is a great quarterback. They did a great job," OSU defensive coordinator Tim Beckman said. "When we'd go to one thing, they'd go to something else."

OSU has faced three Heisman Trophy-caliber quarterbacks the past month in Harrell, Texas' Colt McCoy and Missouri's Chase Daniel. Gundy declined to say which was the better.

"I don't follow it that close," Gundy said. "He's a good football player and deserves all the credit he receives."

Matt Doyle 581-8316
matt.doyle@tulsaworld.com By MATT DOYLE World Sports Writer

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