SportsDirect Inc. staff
Aug 31, 2013
Texas Tech 41, Southern Methodist 23: Baker Mayfield threw for 413 yards and accounted for five touchdowns to lead visiting Texas Tech to its 15th consecutive victory against Southern Methodist.
Mayfield, a walk-on freshman, completed 43-of-60 passes for four touchdowns while becoming the first freshman to start a season opener for the Red Raiders. Eric Ward caught 13 passes for 150 yards and Bradley Marquez, Jordan Davis, Reginald Davis and Jakeem Grant each hauled in a touchdown pass for Texas Tech.
Southern Methodist quarterback Garrett Gilbert completed 41-of-62 passes for 388 yards and also scampered for a 23-yard touchdown run that cut the deficit to 20-16 in the third quarter. Jeremy Johnson was the No. 1 option for Gilbert, catching 12 passes for 131 yards, while Darius Johnson hauled in 11 receptions for 103 yards.
After a low-scoring start to the game, Mayfield completed all five of his pass attempts on Texas Tech’s first touchdown drive, capping it off with a 33-yard touchdown strike to Davis for a 13-6 lead with 1:01 left in the first half.
Chase Hover booted his third field goal as time expired to keep SMU within four, but Hover missed from 27 yards out on the opening drive of the second half and Mayfield led the Red Raiders down the field, hooking up with Marquez for a 10-yard touchdown reception. Mayfield’s 11-yard TD run with 10:05 left in the game pushed the lead back to 27-16 and sparked a 21-0 fourth-quarter run.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Gilbert and Mayfield went to Lake Travis High School in Austin, Texas, as did backup quarterback Collin LaGasse of SMU and Michael Brewer of Texas Tech, the starter until he was sidelined with a back injury. … Texas Tech had four sacks in the first half, which tied its single-game high from last season. … Ward caught a school-record 16 passes two years ago against Baylor.