When you’re the best receiver in college football, your quarterback won’t hesitate to throw any pass in your direction, even if it’s a risky one. That’s how Texas Tech defeated Texas in 2008 for the biggest win in Red Raiders history.
Trailing the top-ranked Longhorns, 33–32, with eight seconds remaining, Tech coach Mike Leach kept his offense on the field rather than try a 45-yard field goal. Leach’s faith in his Air Raid paid off when quarterback Graham Harrell found receiver Michael Crabtree at Texas’ six-yard line. The redshirt sophomore from Dallas shook off two Longhorn defenders and scampered into the end zone.
It was the last of 10 catches, for 127 yards, that Crabtree had on the evening. By year’s end, he had won his second consecutive Biletnikoff Award as college football’s top receiver. After declaring for the 2009 NFL Draft, Crabtree was selected 10th overall by the 49ers, with whom he is in his fourth season.
The Red Raiders host Texas again this Saturday. Everyone in attendance at Jones AT&T Stadium will be hoping that Tech can recreate that Harrell-to-Crabtree magic from four years ago. Michael Crabtree profile
