Leach routed by old program
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Donovan Smith threw for 252 yards and a touchdown and ran for another score as Texas Tech manhandled Mississippi State 34-7 in the Liberty Bowl on Tuesday night.
Tahj Brooks rushed for 107 yards and a touchdown and SaRodorick Thompson ran for 80 yards and a score for the Red Raiders (7-6), who finished with a winning record for the first time since 2015. They were appearing in their first bowl game since 2017.
Mississippi State (7-6) fell short in coach Mike Leach’s first game against a former program of his. Leach, who went 84-43 at Texas Tech from 2000-09, failed to become the first Bulldogs coach to end each of his first two seasons with a bowl victory. Mississippi State was playing in its 12th straight bowl game.
Red Raiders interim coach Sonny Cumbie, a former player at Texas Tech under Leach, ended his fivegame run with a 2-3 record. Cumbie, who is departing to become Louisiana Tech’s coach, took over for Matt Wells in October.
“It’s a sense of relief and accomplishment,” Cumbie said. “In these bowl games, the most excited team that shows up is the one that comes out on top. That’s what this team did.”
Texas Tech rushed for 260 yards against a Bulldogs defense that came in allowing 101 yards per game on the ground.
Leach’s prolific offense never could get rolling against the Red Raiders, and the resulting lopsided loss dropped the Southeastern Conference to 0-4 in the postseason. The Bulldogs were held scoreless in the second half and finished with 344 yards, 105 below their average.
“I didn’t think we were consistent,” Leach said. “We didn’t … get into any kind of rhythm. They deserve credit for preparing the way they did and playing the way they did.”
Texas Tech put the game out of reach with two thirdquarter touchdowns. Smith scored on a 1-yard run to cap a 95-yard drive, the Red Raiders’ second-longest of the season. Smith, who was named the game’s MVP, completed passes of 39 and 52 yards during the drive. He added a 14-yard scoring pass to J.J. Sparkman with two seconds left in the third.
Thompson scored his touchdown on a 1-yard run midway through the final quarter for a 34-7 lead.
Texas Tech established the run at the outset, gaining 145 yards in the first quarter and using its physical play to take a 10-0 lead. The Red Raiders moved 75 yards — all on the ground — on the game’s opening possession, scoring on a 19-yard run by Brooks.
Texas Tech added a 31yard field goal by Jonathan Garibay later in the quarter.
Mississippi State answered on its next series with Will Rogers converting on third-and-11 on the Red Raiders’ 38 to extend the drive. Rogers evaded a strong rush before finding Jo’quavious Marks for 18 yards to the 20. Two plays later, Rogers fired a 17-yard scoring pass to Rara Thomas for the Bulldogs’ only points.