Erickson and Miami Defense Overwhelm Texas Tech, 45-10

Craig Erickson passed for four touchdowns and Miami’s defense had 10 sacks to lead the No. 8 Hurricanes to a 45-10 victory over Texas Tech on Saturday.

The Hurricanes (5-2) bounced back from a loss to Notre Dame, moving the ball effortlessly against outmanned Texas Tech (2-6) for 563 yards. Miami silenced an overflow crowd of 50,028 and impressed scouts from the Citrus, Fiesta and Cotton Bowls.

Miami’s swarming defense, ranked eighth in the country against the rush, allowed Tech only 93 yards, holding the Red Raiders to 41 yards on 44 plays through three quarters. Tech finished with minus-10 rushing yards.

Defensive end Rusty Medearis, who started in place of injured Eric Miller, had five sacks. Tackle Shane Curry and linebacker Darrin Smith each had two.

Erickson completed 22 of 32 passes for 307 yards and led Miami on touchdown drives of 69, 52, 31, 53, 88 and 29 yards. He threw touchdown passes of 11, 38 and six yards to Lamar Thomas, who setting a school record for most touchdown receptions in a game.