BETSY BLANEY
Associated Press
LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) — Davis Webb threw for 452 yards and four touchdowns to lead Texas Tech to a 42-35 win over Central Arkansas Saturday night.
The sophomore quarterback also had two interceptions, a fifth what he threw all last season.
Webb completed 39 of 52 passes and threw TDs of 6, 5 and 70 yards. The 70-yarder early in the fourth quarter was a career high for Webb and receiver Bradley Marquez.
Central Arkansas (0-1) of the Football Championship Subdivision was ahead midway through the second quarter. Once Texas Tech led, the Bears pulled within 42-35 late in the game when backup quarterback Ryan Howard threw an 8-yard TD to Damien Watts.
Bears starting QB Taylor Reed threw for 140 yards and scored on a 1-yard run.
DeAndre Washington of Texas Tech (1-0) rushed for a career-high 104 yards on 20 carries. The team beat last season’s rushing average by 66 yards.
Marquez had two touchdown catches, grabbing a 27-yarder from Webb about 7 minutes after the first.
The Red Raiders came out after halftime and put together an 11-play scoring drive. Webb found Reginald Davis over the middle on a 5-yard slant to put Texas Tech up 28-16.
Webb hit Bradley Marquez on a crossing route and he scampered along the near sideline for a 70-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter to put the Red Raiders up 35-21.
The Bears kept plugging, scoring after each of the Red Raiders touchdowns in the fourth quarter.
Early in the week, Red Raiders coached Kliff Kingsbury said his goals for the game were to reduce penalties and turnovers. Last season the Red Raiders had 18 interceptions (113th in nation) and the team lost 15 fumbles (116th).
Webb, who had nine interceptions in 10 games last season, had two before halftime. Both picks seemed to come on plays where Webb forced the pass. Both picks led to scores for the Bears.
Texas Tech finished with 114 yards on 15 penalties; last year they averaged eight penalites and 75.2 yards per game.
Webb’s first pick came on first down at the Bears 11-yard line. Webb rolled to left and tried to force the ball to Devin Lauderdale, who was being covered by Prince Ene. The ball popped up and was intercepted by Dawson Hadnot.
From there, the Bears put together a 12-play drive to go up 10-7.
Webb’s second interception came when he tried to hit Jakeem Grant on the far sideline. There wasn’t a lot of space to get it to Grant and the ball was picked off by Artez Williams at Texas Tech’s 40. Williams returned it to the Red Raiders 2-yard line, and Willie Matthews took it in on the first play to put Central Arkansas up 16-7 early in the second half.
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