Fournette, LSU run over Red Raiders in Texas Bowl, 56-27

Oh, that old black magic from the Red Raiders had LSU’s defense in its spell Tuesday night.

LSU head coach Les Miles, center, celebrates with defensive tackle Christian LaCouture (91) and cornerback Tre’Davious White (18) after defeating Texas Tech in the Texas Bowl NCAA football game Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2015, in Houston.

The Tigers capped a 9-3 season just shy of the 10-win plateau thanks to the early cancellation but were still 7-0 and ranked No. 2 entering November.

“That was a little different level of speed than we’re used to”, Texas Tech coach Kliff Kingsbury said of LSU’s defense.

Despite missing two quarterbacks, an award-winning receiver and a 1,000-yard running back, the Bears’ top-ranked scoring offense stayed creative, pounding out 645 yards rushing and 756 total yards – both records. Texas Tech was the more finesse team, its receivers cutting graceful patterns through the LSU defense even though Mahomes was often running for his life. “I think there’s a response and a responsibility to our team that he plays his best”.

Brandon Harris did it with his legs and his arm, passing for 254 yards and a touchdown while adding a 26-yard scoring run. Mahomes capitalized with another third down touchdown pass, this one a 31-yarder to Reginald Davis at the 10:28 mark of the third quarter, pulling Texas Tech to within 21-20. The Tigers scored 21 unanswered points in the third quarter after being up by just one point.

But eventually, those passing plays worked, particularly a long bomb to Trey Quinn which helped set up the touchdown which blew the game open.

Marquise Williams passed for 243 yards and three scores, and rushed for two more.

Despite having one of the most explosive offenses in the nation, Texas Tech finished in the middle of the pack in the Big 12, with all five of its losses coming against conference foes.

Tigers’ Fournette ran for a 2-yard TD. Jakeem Grant set a Texas Tech bowl record with three receiving touchdowns.

Tigers’ Fournette ran 43 yards for a TD. He’s seventh in the nation with 4,283 yards passing and has thrown for 32 touchdowns.

Since the Red Raiders are playing in their home state one would think that they’d have the home-field advantage in this game. Tre’Davious White returned a 53 yard punt 16 yards to the Texas Tech 42. “And it was a special moment for me to see hi finally get the ball and score”.

LSU took a 21-6 lead with 6:41 to go before halftime on a short pass from quarterback Brandon Harris to Fournette, who took it 44 yards for the touchdown.

LSU wide receiver D. J. Chark ran 79 yards for a TD.

Cain, who has been the Tigers’ biggest deep threat this season, kicker Ammon Lakip and tight end Jay Jay McCullough will not play Thursday in the Orange Bowl against Oklahoma. On third-and-goal from the 2, Fournette leaped over the goal line to give LSU its largest point total in its bowl history. Mahomes still completed 28 of 56 passes for 370 yards and four touchdowns for the Red Raiders (7-6), often dodging defenders and throwing with defenders on him.