Missouri puts clamps on Texas Tech

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- For a change, Chase Daniel was a member of the supporting cast for Missouri. The Tigers’ most well-rounded effort of the season made it possible.

Missouri’s improving defense intercepted four passes thrown by Graham Harrell, returning one for a score, and throttled the nation’s top offense in a 41-10 victory over No. 22 Texas Tech in a Big 12 Conference game Saturday.

Texas Tech forced Missouri to run the ball, and the Tigers did so with great success. They gained 212 yards on the ground and Daniel had 210 yards passing in only 19 attempts, both season lows.

“We’ve thrown that many in a quarter before,” Daniel said. “It just really shows we’re multidimensional, we’re not just going to throw it around 50-60 times a game. If the running game is going, we’re going to stick with it.”

Backup tailback Jimmy Jackson had 59 yards and three touchdowns in 12 carries. Freshman Derrick Washington had 66 yards in nine carries for Missouri (6-1, 2-1), which rebounded from a 10-point loss at Oklahoma last week and was 2-1 in a stretch against ranked opponents.

“A game like that against such a good team, and the damage they can do in seconds, I’m very proud of our team,” Coach Gary Pinkel said.

Missouri running back Tony Temple missed his second consecutive game because of an ankle injury, adding a bruise to a sprain in practice Wednesday.

The scoring total was by far a season low for Texas Tech (6-2, 2-2), which entered the game first in points (50) and yards (582) per game.

Harrell completed 44 of 69 passes for 397 yards.

Missouri won for the 13th time in 14 home games.