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AUSTIN, Texas (Ticker) -- Chris Simms accounted for three touchdowns as No. 5 Texas tuned up for a showdown next week by routing Texas Tech, 42-7, in the Big 12 Conference opener for both schools. Simms completed 21-of-26 for 224 yards and a touchdown for Texas (4-0, 1-0 Big 12), which has won its first four games for the first time since it was 11-0 in 1983. "I am very pleased with the win tonight as there was a lot of pressure on the guys," said Texas coach Mack Brown, whose club faces defending national champion Oklahoma next week at the Cotton Bowl. "It was hard to prepare this week with so many people looking toward OU next week. I commend the players' mentality and effort during practices to stay focused." The 6-5 Simms also ran for a pair of scores as the Longhorns improved to 30-17 all-time against their state rivals. "I was happy about today's performance as we took advantage of Tech leaving the middle of the field open," Simms said. "We are the first UT team since 1983 to be undefeated this far into the season at 4-0. It will be more fun next week against OU as we are both undefeated. It will be a great fight no matter what the score is." Texas has scored at least 41 points in each of its four games, but faces its first test next week against the third-ranked Sooners in Dallas. Kliff Kingsbury was 40-of-57 for 260 yards for Texas Tech (2-1, 0-1), which had scored 42 points in each of its first two contests. "We had opportunities, but we struggled in the red zone early," Kingsbury said. "In the second half, the wheels just fell off and it's hard to come back after that. I have to take my hat off to the Longhorns. They played a great game tonight." Ivan Williams, who rushed for a career-high 152 yards on 26 carries, gave Texas the lead just over seven minutes into game with a two-yard TD run. He also had a one-yard TD plunge to stake the Longhorns to a 28-7 advantage 4:16 into the third quarter. "The team was fired up and the offense played strong," Williams said. "We go out every Saturday and play the game like it is the national championship game. OU will be a great game and we are looking forward to the challenge." Texas scored on each of its first two possessions. Simms capped a nine-play, 74-yard drive with a one-yard keeper to make it 14-0 with 1:26 remaining in the opening quarter. Texas Tech got its only score 33 seconds into the second quarter when Ricky Williams broke through the middle for a 31-yard touchdown to cut the deficit to 14-7. But he was held to just 11 yards on four other attempts and did have a carry after halftime. Texas answered quickly as Simms hooked up with Roy Williams on a 40-yard scoring pass to stretch the lead to 21-7 just two minutes into the second quarter. After Ivan Williams' one-yard TD run made it 28-7 4:16 into the third quarter, wide receiver Richard Hightower recovered freshman Ivory McCann's fumble on the ensuing kickoff at the Texas Tech 12. After two rushes by Ivan Williams, Simms scored from a yard out to make it 35-7 with just under 10 minutes left in the third. Victor Ike capped a 12-play, 85-yard drive with a one-yard TD run to complete the scoring with 4:18 to go in the fourth. Texas has scored at least 40 points in its last 10 home games and is 153-1 all-time when scoring 40 or more.
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