KU Falls to Texas Tech 31-30

Sept. 25, 2004

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LAWRENCE, Kan. – It was a tale of two halves for the University of Kansas football team which dropped a 31-30 decision to Texas Tech, in the Big 12 opener Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

After Tech scored a safety to take an early 2-0 lead, the Jayhawks scored a pair of touchdowns on their next two possessions to grab a 14-2 advantage. First, running back John Randle scored on a 36-yard screen pass from quarterback Adam Barmann to make the score 7-2. On the next KU possession, Randle found the end zone again, this time scoring on a one-yard rush.

A 34-yard Texas Tech field goal from Alex Trlica rounded out the first quarter and the Jayhawks led 14-5.

The second quarter belonged to the Kansas defense as the Jayhawks forced four turnovers in the period. Freshman kicker Scott Webb connected on a 22-yard field goal at the 9:45 mark, followed by a 26-yard half back pass from Charles Gordon to wide receiver Brandon Rideau for a 24-5 KU lead. After a Tony Stubbs interception, Kansas went 36 yards on four plays, culminating in a 20-yard touchdown pass from Barmann to Gordon and a 30-11 halftime lead for the Jayhawks.

Texas Tech running back Taurean Henderson scored on a 1-yard touchdown early in the third quarter to make the score 30-18, Tech followed with scoring drives of 54 yards and 74 yards to take a 31-30 lead.

Kansas had a pair of possessions late in the game, but the `Hawks couldn’t hit pay dirt.

“It was a hard fought game, but we didn’t finish,” said KU head coach Mark Mangino. “We have to control the game a little bit better. I think everything is correctable, but we have to play more physical if we are going to improve on offense.”

Kansas (2-2, 0-1) will travel to Nebraska next week to face the Cornhuskers. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:10 p.m.