Texas Tech University Athletics
Tech Trio Trounces Baylor Defense
November 04, 2006 | Football
Nov. 4, 2006
By Trey Shipman, Texas Tech Media Relations
LUBBOCK, Texas - Earlier in the week, Texas Tech senior wide receiver Joel Filani was asked what the Red Raiders needed to do in the final three games of the season to ensure the season was a success. Filani's response: just have fun.
Filani and the Red Raiders (6-4, 3-3 Big 12) weren't shy about letting the good times roll in a dominating 55-21 victory over the Baylor Bears (4-6, 3-3) Saturday afternoon at Jones AT&T Stadium. Filani certainly enjoyed himself as much as any of his teammates as he torched the Bears secondary with eight receptions for 212 yards and three touchdowns.
With the absence of injured fellow senior wideout Jarrett Hicks, the sparkling performance from the Playboy All-American was much welcomed.
"Everyone played well," Filani said. "The offensive line played well, everyone stepped up and played well without Jarrett Hicks in the game."
Tech coach Mike Leach said Filani's efforts were key in sparking the eventual Red Raider offensive onslaught.
"I thought he had some big plays," said Leach who, with the win, now has the Raiders bowl eligible for the seventh consecutive year under his watch. "Once he got stoked up, I think that was key. Once he got rolling, he really took off."
However, what's a receiver without his quarterback? In Filani's case, redshirt sophomore Graham Harrell showed he too can put up the gaudy numbers that have been expected out of the position at Tech. In his third consecutive outstanding performance, Harrell completed 35 of 52 passes for 483, four touchdowns and an interception.
Baylor coach Guy Morriss said heading into the contest he knew they had to put pressure on the Red Raider first-year starter or his defense would be in for a long day. The Bears hurried Harrell only three times and sacked him just once, so as it turned out, Morriss was right.
"We just couldn't get much done," Morriss said. "We couldn't get any pressure on Harrell and with this offense, and this set of receivers, if you don't get him out of his rhythm, it's like shooting fish in a barrel. They had an answer for everything."
Joining Harrell and Filani in the points party was sophomore running back Shannon Woods. The native of McKinney ran for 125 yards and three touchdowns including a 51 yard scamper to the one-yard line at the outset of the third quarter. With Woods' performance, it marks the first time the Red Raiders have produced a 100-yard rusher and 100-yard receiver (Filani) since the season's opening week against Southern Methodist.
"We knew what our offense can do," Woods said. "When we got going with our first touchdown, the momentum is with you and then you want to score over and over again."
The Red Raiders will look for the fun to continue as it heads to Norman, Okla. next week to do battle with No. 17 Oklahoma.
