COLLEGE FOOTBALL \ Monday’s other games

Clemson 24, No. 19 Florida State 18

CLEMSON, S.C. — Florida State’s offense still needs a lot of work. It’s defense could use a tuneup, too, after first-time starter Cullen Harper threw two touchdown passes in Clemson’s victory. This was supposed to be a retooled Florida State attack with first-year offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher bringing the flash back to the Seminoles in the latest version of the father-son Bowden Bowl. Instead, it was Harper and the Tigers who came out throwing to take a 21-0 lead before the game was 17 minutes old — and bring their coach, Tommy, his third straight win over father Bobby’s Seminoles.

Texas Tech 49, SMU 9

DALLAS — Texas Tech has proven in recent years that it can keep its offense chugging even when changing quarterbacks. Turns out, coach Mike Leach can plug offensive linemen and receivers into his system just as seamlessly. Quarterback Graham Harrell welcomed four blockers and a trio of pass-catchers to the starting lineup by completing a career-high 44 passes for 419 yards and four touchdowns. Redshirt freshman Michael Crabtree announced his arrival with 12 catches for 106 yards, including touchdowns of 42, 2 and 1 yards. Senior Danny Amendola christened his starting debut with a 49-yard TD reception and finished with 10 catches for 149 yards. “In this offense, you are going to put up big numbers, especially if you stay consistent and get the ball in the playmakers’ hands,” said Harrell, who threw 59 passes. “We came out and executed. That’s what we do at Tech, we execute and make plays.” Harrell is Tech’s first incumbent quarterback since Kliff Kingsbury was in charge from 2000-02. The junior’s poise and accuracy kept the Red Raiders from missing last year’s starting receivers, who left with a combined 504 catches and 7,014 yards.He went 6-for-6 on the opening drive, then capped it with a 1-yard TD plunge. His next two TD drives went 95 and 88 yards, and he converted on six of his first eight third-down tries. He topped his previous high in completions (42) during the third quarter, then called it a day after a touchdown early in the fourth made it 42-6. “We had some opportunities defensively to get them off the field on third downs and we couldn’t just quite get enough pressure on him,” SMU coach Phil Bennett said. The new line boasts four guys who are 6-foot-7, with all five topping 300 pounds. They were solid enough to keep Harrell from getting sacked and helped the Red Raiders average 4.4 yards per run, albeit on only 18 carries. Shannon Woods led the way with 45 yards, including the final two touchdowns. “A lot of people said they’re inexperienced, but they are a huge unit,” Harrell said. “They are going to get better and they did a really good job.” Harrell frustrated the Mustangs no matter what they did, beating blitzes by hitting his safety valve — like Amendola on his touchdown — and patiently finding his third, fourth or fifth passing option when the defense drifted back into coverage. Eleven players caught passes for Tech, including three first-timers. “A lot of his passes he was just throwing them up and somebody was there,” SMU linebacker Wilton McCray said. Crabtree redshirted last year because the Red Raiders were set at receiver.

Associated Press