Tech wins on last second field goal

A last second field goal by Alex Trlica from 41-yards out propelled the Texas Tech Red Raiders to a 31-28 victory over the Virginia Cavaliers at Tuesday's Konica Minolta Gator Bowl.

Quarterback Graham Harrell of Texas Tech took the game MVP.

Gator Bowl attendance

60,243 tickets were sold to today's Gator Bowl. That figure only represents tickets sold and not actual attendance. Actual attendance would be much lower with the upper decks and endzones almost entirely empty.

Tech scores; Reed injured

Texas Tech recovered a fumble deep in Virginia territory allowing Aaron Crawford to run in a four-yard touchdown. The score puts the game even at 28 with 3:10 left in the game.

In an unfortunate sidenote, Texas Tech's Rylan Reed was carted off the field on a backboard after the touchdown run. Eight trainers were needed to lift the 314 lb. Reed onto the cart.

It looks as though an air cast was placed on Reed's right leg.

Passing records surpassed

Numerous Gator Bowl records being broke were just announced here at the press box. Graham Harrell of Texas Tech has set records for most passing attempts (67 currently), completions (43 currently) and most yards passing (397 currently).

Kim Hammond of FSU held the record for passing attempts and completions, 53 and 37 respectively, against Penn State on December 30, 1967.

Matt Cavanaugh held the record for most yards passing previously with 387 yards against Clemson on December 30, 1977.

The Michael Crabtree touchdown reception set Texas Tech's single season touchdown receptions record with 22.

Crabtree gets TD

Crabtree came back on Tech's next drive. With defensive pass interference being called, Crabtree still caught a 20-yard touchdown reception bringing Texas Tech within one score with 3:31 left in the game. The Red Raiders trail 28-21.

Crabtree appears

When Michael Crabtree had a 29-yard catch followed by another 6-yard reception brought Tech to the Virginia 2, it looked like Tech may bring themselves back within 7. On fourth on inches though, Graham Harrell threw one up to Crabtree but the pass fell incomplete. Virginia got held back deep in their own territory but a mighty punt keeps Tech starting their next drive at their own 49-yard line.

Tech mistake leads to Cavaliers touchdown

Texas Tech continues to dismantle after looking to make a comeback in the second half. After stopping Virginia's Staton Jobe, Tech's Chris Parker pumped his fist towards Jobe drawing an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.

After the penalty Virginia's Peter Lalich found Mikell Simpson for an 11-yard touchdown reception. Virginia regains their two touchdown lead, 28-14.

Virginia's Sewell hurt

Virginia may have suffered a big blow to their offense with quarterback Jameel Sewell going down early in the fourth quarter. Sewell wasn’t putting pressure on his left leg as he was helped off the field.

Tech. momentum halts with fumble

The Red Raiders' momentum was coming on strong in the second half before two dropped passes and a fumble stopped the Tech drive in its track. Grant Walker caught the reception and fumbled. Tech's Lyle Leong jumped on the ball but lost it as well before Virginia's Joe Torchia recovered the fumble.

Tech. still trails by seven on the Cavaliers at the end of the third quarter.

Red Raiders add touchdown

Virginia expanded their lead to two touchdowns with a field goal just before the half. Some trickery on the kickoff though gave Texas Tech the ball to begin the second half. The Red Raiders converted with a 13 play, 59-yard drive resulting in a 6-yard Danny Amendola touchdown reception. Tech now trails by seven, 21-14.

Tech gives up second safety

Virginia is playing in basketball scores today. Texas Tech just gave up a safety after Harrell intentionally grounded the ball in the endzone for the second time in the game. This time Virginia's Clint Sintim gets credit for the sack causing the safety.

The last time even one safety occurred in the Gator Bowl was 1981 North Carolina punter Jeff Hayes intentionally ran out of the endzone giving Arkansas two points.

Virginia now leads 18-7.

Virginia breaks record

Virginia is taking control of the game halfway through the second quarter. Mikell Simpson took the rush 96-yards for a touchdown. The 96-yard touchdown breaks the Gator Bowl record for the longest rush in history.

Virginia's drive took 51 seconds on two plays going 98-yards. After adding the extra point Virginia leads 16-7.

The rush also breaks Virginia's school record for the longest rush in school history. Prior to Simpson, Bob Davis ran 88-yards against NC State in 1964.

Virginia plays safe with safety

Though Tech's defense held Virginia's offense from scoring points, the Virginia defense was ale to score a safety on Tech's next possession. Tech quarterback Harrell was called for intentional grounding in the endzone resulting in a safety for Virginia. Virginia takes the lead for the first time 9-7. Nate Collins was credited for a sack on the safety.

Tech snaps punt high

A high snap on a punt went over punter, Jonathan LaCour's head. LaCour tried to recover and was hit by Jermaine Dias as the ball was kicked. It may not have been a good punt, resulting in a 6-yard loss from the line of scrimmage but it did save Tech from Virginia points.

Virginia answers Tech.

Virginia immediately answers Texas Tech's last scoring drive with one of their own. A 3-yard touchdown pass from Jameel Sewell to Jonathan Stupar evens the score with Tech at 7.

Lewis hauls in first score

Texas Tech. gets on the leaderboard first with a 10-yard touchdown pass from Graham Harrell to Detron Lewis. Texas Tech's drive lasted 10 plays, 78-yards taking 3:27 off the game clock.

The touchdown drive came on Texas Tech's second drive of the game. Tech leads 7-0.

Attendance woes

Attendance will not be announced until later in the game but today's game looks to have just about the same, if not a few less fans than the ACC Championship game back on December 1st.

At the ACC Championship game I counted just over 70 fans in the east upper decks. Today I count just over 60 fans on the same upper deck.

Gator Bowl kicks off

Jacksonville resident and American Idol contestant Phil Stacey started the festivities for today's Konica Minolta Gator Bowl. Stacey sung the National Anthem to begin the game and was followed by a flyover.

Gator Bowl coverage

The Grass Stains blog will convert to cover the Gator Bowl tomorrow as Texas Tech and Virginia battle at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium. Check our Gator Bowl page for the most recent news, photos and video.

Leave your pregame predictions in the comments below and come back during the game tomorrow for all the game action.