By Betsy Blaney
The Associated Press
LUBBOCK, Texas — Taylor Potts threw for 359 yards and four touchdowns to lead Texas Tech over SMU 35-27 and give Tommy Tuberville a victory Sunday in his first game as Red Raiders coach.
Tuberville took over after the popular and successful Mike Leach was fired in December amid allegations he mistreated an injured player.
Tuberville promised to stick with a pass-heavy offense that helped Leach make the Red Raiders famous. Promise kept.
Potts was 34 for 53 with no interceptions and connected with Lyle Leong for three scores and Detron Lewis for the other.
Texas Tech ran its winning streak against SMU to 14 games, dating back to 1989.
Eric Stephens rushed for 3-yard TD to put Texas Tech up 35-14 midway through the third quarter.
The Mustangs had a chance late and were driving when they failed to convert a fourth-and-21 from the 50 on their final drive.
Texas Tech intercepted SMU quarterback Kyle Padron three times. He threw for 218 yards.
Tuberville’s 111th career victory came in the Red Raiders now-less-lopsided stadium. The east side of the stadium now has a $25 million addition where all 29 new suites were sold for the opener. The addition ups the stadium’s capacity to 60,454.
