Sept 14, 2002

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By BETSY BLANEY
Associated Press Writer

LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) - Kliff Kingsbury passed for 270 yards and two touchdowns to become the Big 12's career passing leader as Texas Tech beat Mississippi 42-28 Saturday.

Kingsbury's 8,392 yards tops the record of 8,353, set by Texas' Major Applewhite.

The Red Raiders (2-1) scored touchdowns on offense, defense and special teams to send the Rebels (2-1) to their first nonconference loss in 25 games.

Wes Welker's 71-yard punt return late in the third quarter put Tech up 35-14 and appeared to seal the win.

But Mississippi's Eli Manning, who had 374 yards, threw two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to make it 35-28.

Kingsbury answered with an 84-yard drive capped by a 5-yard touchdown pass to Nehemiah Glover with 3:21 left.

Field position aided Texas Tech throughout the game as punter Clinton Greathouse put the Rebels inside their 20 three times and inside their 5 twice. He averaged 52 yards and hit a 67-yarder that forced Mississippi to start at its own 1.

The Red Raiders scored twice in the final 5 minutes of the second quarter for a 28-7 halftime lead.

The first came when defensive end Adell Duckett, making his first career start, intercepted a pass by Manning and returned it 21 yards for a touchdown.

Then, after going three-and-out on their next possession, Rebels punter Cody Ridgeway couldn't handle a high snap and was tackled on his own 11. Four plays later, Kingsbury ran in from the 2 to give Tech a 28-7 lead.

Robert Williams scored on an 8-yard run on Mississippi's first possession of the third quarter to cut the margin to 28-14.

The Rebels then recovered a fumble by Kingsbury at the Tech 12 but came away without a score when a fake field goal attempt from the 23 failed.