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Date: December 29, 2006
Location: Tempe, AZ Sun Devil Stadium
Bowl: Insight
Opponent: Minnesota Golden Gophers
Attendance: 48,391
Score: Texas Tech 44 Minnesota 41
Graham Harrell had some really bad games in his career. The good far far outweighed the bad but I believe as an educated fanbase we all knew there would be a game here or there that you couldn't help but scratch your head watching his performance. Looking back this game appeared to be one of those games. Harrell failed to convert a short 4th and 1 on the opening possession, threw an interception on the second and then fumbled on the third. At the end of the first we were down 14-0 and 35-7 at the half. With 7:47 remaining in the third quarter Tech was down 38-7 our season was over, our pets heads were falling off and many found something else, ANYTHING else to watch (or strongly considered it.) Those that stayed tuned in got a late Christmas gift and were witness to history.
The Red Raiders didn't quit. Harrell hooked up with Joel Filani on a 43-yd TD pass and the team went into the fourth quarter down 38-14 but driving the football. Robert Johnson opened up the fourth with an 8-yd TD reception from Harrell to make it 38-21. After Minnesota turned the ball over on downs Tech moved the ball and Harrell capped off a drive with a 1-yd TD run to cut the lead to 38-28. Momentum was ours!! Shannon Woods scored his second TD of the game on the following possession and Tech trimmed the lead to 38-35. A failed onside kick seemingly killed the comeback but with two timeouts in their pocket they were able to get the ball back for one last drive.
It was a tall task as the drive started at the Tech 12 yard line. Harrell completed 5 passes to put the team in position to potentially tie the game and send it into OT with a 52-yd attempt. Alex Trilica, with ice in his veins, booted the kick up and through the uprights as time expired and sent the game into overtime. The defense held Minnesota to a field goal and Woods capped off the greatest comeback in FBS bowl history with his 3rd TD run of the night.
Counting Down To #1:
#10 - Tech 31 Nebraska 10 (2009)
#9 - Tech 49 West Virginia 14 (2012)
#8: - Tech 41 Michigan State 31 (2010)
#7 - Tech 23 Oklahoma 21 (2005)
#6 - Tech 44 Minnesota 41 (2006)