Kingsbury, Texas Tech rule Clemson, 55-15

In Tangerine, QB becomes third in Div. I to surpass 5,000 yards in a season

College Football

ORLANDO, Fla. -- All Kliff Kingsbury ever wanted to do was go out a winner. And did he ever.

The Texas Tech senior capped his prolific career yesterday by leading the Red Raiders to a stunning 55-15 victory over Clemson in the Tangerine Bowl.

He then signed autographs for fans -- and teammates, too -- and capped the night by directing the Tech band through "March Grandioso" in the south end zone of Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium.

"This has been a dream come true," said Kingsbury, who completed 74.4 percent of his passes for 375 yards and three touchdowns. The Tangerine Bowl Most Valuable Player became the first quarterback since 1990 and the third in Division I history to throw for 5,000 yards in a season.

Klingsbury (5,017 yards and 45 touchdowns) helped the Red Raiders (9-5) pile up 555 total yards and win their first bowl game since the Copper in '95.

The Red Raiders' defense did its part, too, holding the Tigers to 360 yards and keeping breakout freshman quarterback Charlie Whitehurst under wraps in Clemson's worst loss of the season.

Whitehurst, who was 3-1 as a late-season starter, was 20-for-48 for 263 yards and threw four interceptions. Tech was credited with four sacks, but it could have had more if not for Whitehurst's scrambling.

"I felt sorry for him after a while," Tech defensive end Aaron Hunt said. "But he kept running like a man."

Kingsbury left briefly in the third quarter after Clemson's Khaleed Vaughn appeared to roll onto his right leg. He returned on the next possession.

Kingsbury finished as the fourth-best passer in Division I (12,429 yards, 95 touchdowns). After, Hunt asked Kingsbury to autograph a miniature football.

"He has to sign a lot of stuff of mine," Hunt joked. "I've got a shrine of him at home."