Sept. 9, 2000

Box Score

By PAM EASTON
Associated Press Writer

LUBBOCK, Texas - Kliff Kingsbury threw a touchdown pass and Chris Birkholz kicked two field goals as Texas Tech held off North Texas 13-7 on Saturday night.

Texas Tech (3-0) took a 13-0 lead into the fourth quarter, but North Texas (0-2) drew within six on linebacker Brad Kassell's 23-yard interception return nine seconds into the final period.

Later in the fourth, North Texas' Scott Hall connected with LaDarrin McLane on a 50-yard pass play, but linebacker Kevin Curtis stripped the ball from McLane at the 2, and cornerback Derrick Briggs scooped up the ball and rambled 53 yards to the Eagles' 45.

Red Raiders star Ricky Williams left the game in the second quarter after hyperextending his left knee. He rushed for 38 yards on 13 carries and caught nine passes for 48 yards.

After averaging 143 yards rushing two years ago, Williams missed almost all of last year because of a knee injury.

Kingsbury, who set a school record last week by passing for 450 yards and three touchdowns against Utah State, found himself under constant pressure. He completed 42 of 55 passes for 238 yards, but was intercepted three times.

Tech opened the scoring late in the first quarter on Kingsbury's 6-yard TD pass to Tim Baker. Birkholz kicked field goals of 50 and 47 yards in the third quarter.

Hall was 5-of-9 for 83 yards for North Texas.