Minnesota Golden Gophers vs Texas Tech Red Raiders Match Player Stats On Dec 28, 2012

SportsDirect Inc. staff
Dec 29, 2012

Texas Tech 34, Minnesota 31: Sophomore Ryan Bustin kicked a 28-yard field goal as time ran out to cap a late Red Raiders' comeback in the Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas at Reliant Stadium in Houston.

Texas Tech (8-5), which scored on all four of its first half possessions en route to a 24-17 halftime lead, was held scoreless in the second half until the final 70 seconds when the Red Raiders scored 10 points.

Minnesota (6-7), which has lost five straight bowl games since winning the 2004 Music City Bowl, appeared to be in good shape after it took a 31-24 lead on a 1-yard touchdown pass from freshman quarterback Philip Nelson to tight end Drew Goodger early in the fourth quarter.

Texas Tech, though, rallied to tie it with 1:10 left when quarterback Seth Doege, who completed 31-of-45 passes for 271 yards, hit wide receiver Eric Ward with a 35-yard touchdown pass, capping a seven-play, 82-yard drive.

Minnesota appeared to be in good position to get into overtime, but Nelson's pass for wide receiver Derrick Engel on third-and-7 at the Gophers 33 was deflected to safety D.J. Johnson who returned it 41 yards up the right sideline to the Minnesota 22 to set the stage for Bustin's winner.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Minnesota DB Troy Stoudermire returned the opening kickoff 26 yards to break the NCAA record for career kickoff return yards. The old mark was 3,517 yards by Houston's Tyron Carrier set in 2011. ... Texas Tech's Jakeem Grant returned a first quarter kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown, the first kickoff return in Texas Bowl history. ... Minnesota S Michael Carter had five tackles and two interceptions. ... Minnesota, which rushed for 222 yards, finished with a 36:18 to 23:42 edge in time of possession.