Captains of the comeback: Erasing deficits becoming normal at Texas Tech under Leach

Texas Tech receiver Michael Crabtree (5) scores the winning touchdown in front of Texas defender Curtis Brown (3) on Saturday in Lubbock, Texas. The last-second victory was one of the many miraculous Red Raider comebacks in the Mike Leach era.

Michael Crabtree’s marvelous TD catch Saturday against Texas was nothing short of epic. ESPN.com Big 12 blogger Tim Griffin called it “the greatest play in the history of the Big 12 Conference.”

It was remarkable, but I’m going with Vince Young’s eight-yard scamper in the 2006 BCS Championship game to beat USC as the best play in conference history.

The play took place on fourth down on the biggest possible stage in college football. Only 26 seconds remained, and Texas trailed, 38-33, before the touchdown and subsequent two-point conversion for a 41-38 final in the Rose Bowl.

Great play in a great game by one of the greatest college football players of all time.

The art of the comeback is not a new concept to the Texas Tech football program under coach Mike Leach.

Last week’s 39-33 triumph at home over then-top ranked Texas made for spectacular theater. It was the most significant victory in Tech’s 83-year history. Leach orchestrated a magical comeback in the final minute-and-a-half that ended in quarterback Graham Harrell throwing a 28-yard touchdown strike to his favorite receiver, Michael Crabtree.

Eight seconds remained when Harrell took the snap; four seconds remained when Crabtree made the catch; one second remained as Crabtree high-tailed it across the goal line and ABC panned to UT quarterback Colt McCoy, who appeared as if he just received word that the end of the world was imminent.

It was the kind of game that left football fans – even those who weren’t pulling for Tech or Texas – wide-eyed, with their hands on their heads and their jaws dropped to the floor.

This sort of thing at Tech has taken place under Leach’s watch in the past. A lot.

Granted, most of them were on smaller stages, but deficits haven’t rattled the Red Raiders in the past. Here’s a look at some of the most memorable Tech comebacks in the Leach era (2000-present):

2006 Insight Bowl: Texas Tech 44, Minnesota 41 (OT)

Deficit: 31 points

Details: Remember this one? Minnesota took a 38-7 lead with 7:47 left in the third quarter, only to have Tech complete the biggest comeback in NCAA Div. I postseason history.

It was the first year Harrell operated under center for Tech, which responded to Minnesota’s field goal in overtime with Shannon Woods’ third TD run of the night.

Minnesota coach Glen Mason, who coached at Kansas from 1988-1996, lost his job after the game.

2004: Texas Tech 31, Kansas 30

Deficit: 25 points

Details: The Big 12 opener for both teams in 2004 saw the Jayhawks leap out to a 30-5 lead in the first half. Tech running back Taurean Henderson capped the comeback with a 70-yard touchdown run off a draw, which gave TTU the one-point victory.

It marked the biggest comeback by an opponent in KU’s history. It also represented the biggest Tech comeback ever at the time.

2004: Texas Tech 70, TCU 35

Deficit: 21 points

Details: TCU, which was favored despite the game being in Lubbock, should have known better than to be cocky. A TCU defensive back was caught mouthing to a camera, “They aren’t going to score” after the Horned Frogs took a 21-0 lead over the Red Raiders in the first half.

Bad idea.

Tech scored three times in the final six minutes of the first half to tie the game, then hung seven touchdowns on TCU in the second half to win by 35. Oops.

2002: Texas Tech 48, Texas A&M 47 (OT)

Deficit: 18 points

Details: Tech quarterback Kliff Kingsbury called this game in College Station, Texas, his best game ever (49-of-59 for 474 yards and five touchdowns).

Tech trailed, 35-17, with 6:57 left in the third quarter.

2008 Gator Bowl: Texas Tech 31, Virginia 28

Deficit: 14 points with 5:32 left in the fourth quarter

Details: Tech trailed Virginia, 28-14, with 5:32 left when the Red Raiders took over at midfield. Harrell connected with Crabtree on a 20-yard fade route that cut the lead to seven. After Tech forced a fumble on Virginia’s next possession, Aaron Crawford (brother of KU running back Jocques Crawford) rushed for a four-yard touchdown to tie the game.

Tech held Virginia again and eventually drove to the UVA 24-yard line. Alex Trlica booted home the game-winning 41-yard field goal with two seconds left.

2005: Texas Tech 23, Oklahoma 21

Deficit: Four points with two seconds left

Details: Henderson took a handoff and plowed into the end zone as time expired. The controversial play was reviewed and officials concluded Henderson crossed the goal line.

2005: Texas Tech 34, Nebraska 31

Deficit: Four points with 12 seconds left in the game

Details: Tech quarterback Cody Hodges found Joel Filani on a 12-yard touchdown pass to give the Red Raiders the victory in Lincoln, Neb.

2006: Texas Tech 31, Texas A&M 27

Deficit: Three points with 26 seconds left in the game

Details: Harrell connected on a 37-yard strike to Robert Johnson, and the Red Raiders escaped College Station, Texas, with the four-point victory.

Captains of the comeback: Erasing deficits becoming normal at Texas Tech under Leach

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