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NCAA Football Recap (Mississippi-Texas Tech)
Posted: Fri January 1, 1999 at 1:45 a.m EST MISSISSIPPI 35, TEXAS TECH 18SHREVEPORT, Louisiana (Ticker) -- Romaro Miller threw an Independence Bowl-record three touchdown passes as Mississippi recorded a 35-18 victory over Texas Tech to make a winner of David Cutcliffe in his first game as head coach. Deuce McAllister accounted for three scores for the Rebels, who made the big plays on offense in a crucial drive midway through the fourth quarter that produced Miller's third scoring toss, a perfect 26-yarder to Cory Peterson. Safety Anthony Magee intercepted Texas Tech's Matt Tittle on the ensuing possession and Mississippi all but sealed the win moments later on McAllister's four-yard touchdown run. Cutcliffe was the offensive coordinator at Tennessee this season and helped the Volunteers reach the Fiesta Bowl and the brink of a national title. But he took over the Rebels after Tommy Tuberville departed for Auburn and became the first Mississippi coach since Steve Sloan in 1978 to win his first game. "This is a great way to end 1998," Cutcliffe said. "What a great year we have had in college football. We were the only game on, and I think anybody that watched was pleased with what they saw." The 44-year-old Cutcliffe had been ill leading up to this game, so his players spared him the usual victory dousing and instead carried him to his postgame handshake with Spike Dykes. "You guys know how good that feels," Cutcliffe added. "I really don't have to tell you that. This was a little harder than I thought it was going to be to get everything ready." The Rebels (7-5) defeated Air Force in the 1992 Liberty Bowl and returned to the postseason last year to edge Marshall, 34-31, in the inaugural Motor City Bowl. They have not suffered a postseason loss since falling to Air Force in the 1983 Independence Bowl. Texas Tech (7-5) has been successful in reaching bowl games but not winning them. The defeat was the Red Raiders' second straight in the postseason -- they fell to Iowa in the 1996 Alamo Bowl -- and dropped their bowl record to 5-17-1. "We had a great experience here, but it was bittersweet," Dykes said. "We didn't play well in the fourth quarter. We couldn't seem to get any field position. We had a hard time blocking them. They were extremely quick and strong." Mississippi's defense shut down Texas Tech's best players -- running back Ricky Williams and receiver Donnie Hart. Williams, who was fourth in the nation in rushing at 144 yards per game, was held to 85 on 23 carries. Hart caught four passes for only 50 yards. "It's disappointing," Williams said. "I think we focused really well on defense but we didn't get it done on offense. Besides the loss, I'm happy with the time we had." The third quarter produced little offense and limited excitement, but things changed early in the fourth as Miller connected with Jamie Armstrong for 10 yards to the Texas Tech 42. Two false start penalties appeared to stall the drive, but Miller threw a screen pass to McAllister that gained 23 yards. Moments later, Miller threw a dart down the middle for Peterson, who made a diving catch in the end zone to complete the 26-yard score and give the Rebels a 21-10 lead. Magee intercepted Tittle at the Texas Tech 31 and the stunned Red Raiders let Mississippi drive nine plays for McAllister's TD. The Red Raiders scored their first points since late in the second quarter when linebacker Kevin McCullar returned running back Tony Cannon's fumble 14 yards for a score and Rob Peters hit Tim Winn for the two-point conversion. But McAllister returned the ensuing onside kick 43 yards for the clinching touchdown. McAllister totaled 79 yards on 27 carries while adding 55 yards on two receptions. Miller completed 14-of-23 passes for 216 yards with an interception for the Rebels. Texas Tech got on the board first when Peters connected with Derek Dorris for a 22-yard touchdown early in the first quarter. But the Rebels answered on their next possession when Miller found Ken Lucas for a 33-yard TD. Peters was 5-for-11 for 69 yards while splitting time with Tittle, who was 11-of-19 for 134 yards but was picked off twice by Magee. Dorris caught five passes for 66 yards. Proving his abilities are well-rounded, McAllister hauled in a 32-yard scoring toss from Miller just under nine minutes into the second quarter. Chris Birkholtz kicked a 49-yard field goal with 2:18 left in the first half to bring the Red Raiders within 14-10. It was the longest field goal in Texas Tech bowl history and ties an Independence Bowl record. © 1998 Sportsticker Enterprises, LP
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