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  Spartans Fall to Red Raiders in Valero Alamo Bowl, 41-31
 
 
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Jan. 3, 2010

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Coach Dantonio | Players Press Conference

SAN ANTONIO (AP)--Texas Tech blocked out the distractions and rallied to beat Michigan State 41-31 in a shootout at the Alamo Bowl on Saturday night.

When it was over, the crowd chanted "Ruffin!" in a thank-you to the interim coach who navigated the Red Raiders through a difficult week.

"This feels great," running back Eric Stephens said. "I love coach Leach. He's a great coach. But we got behind coach Ruffin and gave him a great victory."

"We faced adversity all year long," McNeill said. "I'm proud of our players, our coaches and Red Raider Nation."

Michigan State took a 28-27 lead into the fourth quarter, and appeared to get a break when Tech quarterback Taylor Potts left the game with an injury after throwing for an Alamo Bowl-record 372 yards and two touchdowns.

Trailing 31-27, backup Steven Sheffield marched Texas Tech downfield in eight plays, the last an 11-yard touchdown pass to Detron Lewis to put the Red Raiders ahead. Baron Batch tacked on a 25-yard touchdown run to put it away.

"To the world outside Tech football this week was chaotic," Stephens said. "But inside Tech football everyone knew coach Ruff had this team under control."