by Fitzgerald Cecilio

Houston, TX

Seth Doege delivered the game-tying touchdown pass and Ryan Bustin buried the game-winning field goal as Texas Tech defeated Minnesota, 34-31, to rule the Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas at Reliant Stadium.

It was the third straight bowl victory for the Red Raiders (8-5) and the second over the Golden Gophers. In 2006, the Red Raiders defeated the Golden Gophers in the Insight Bowl after erasing a four-touchdown halftime deficit.

In that game, the Red Raiders rallied in the second half and escaped with a 44-41 overtime win. The comeback still stands as the NCAA record for the largest come-from-behind win (34 points) in a bowl game.

Doege completed 31 of 45 passes for 271 yards and issued a 35-yard touchdown pass to Eric Ward to tie the game at 31 with 1:10 remaining in the game.

Then, D.J. Johnson intercepted Philip Nelson's pass and returned it 39 yards, paving the way for Bustin's game-winning 28-yard field goal as time ran out.

Doege also contributed a rushing touchdown while wide receivers Darrin Moore caught a game-high 11 passes for 84 yards and Ward added 79 yards on seven receptions for the Red Raiders.

"This is awesome," said Doege, who was named the Most Valuable Player. "These guys have battled through adversity our whole careers. It doesn't surprise me that these guys battled tonight."

Nelson finished 7-for-18 for 138 yards and delivered touchdowns passes to Devin Crawford-Tufts and Drew Goodger for the Golden Gophers, who lost five consecutive bowl games and haven't won one since the 2004 Music City Bowl.

Derrick Engel tallied 108 yards on four catches and a touchdown while rushers Donnell Kirkwood and Rodrick Williams Jr. ran for a score each for the Golden Gophers, who finished the season with a 6-7 record.

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Texas Tech Downs Minnesota in Meineke Car Care Bowl