Leading by 15 in the fourth quarter, Tommy Tuberville took an uncharacteristic gamble. It very nearly cost him in his Texas Tech debut.

The Red Raiders survived a botched fourth-down conversion from their own 32 and held on for a 35-27 win over SMU Sunday at Jones AT&T Stadium.

Texas Tech was ahead 35-20 with 12 minutes to play, when Tuberville elected to go for it on 4th-and-1. Quarterback Taylor Potts mishandled the snap, and SMU took over in scoring position.

The Mustangs capitalized with Cole Beasley's touchdown reception off a deflected pass with seven minutes to play.

SMU, which never led, would get one more crack at tying the score, but was forced to start from inside its own 10. Mustang quarterback Kyle Pardon was knocked out of the game on the ensuing drive, and backup J.J. McDermott was sacked on fourth down at midfield to end SMU's hopes.

Potts completed 34 of 53 passes for 359 yards and four touchdowns. Tech wide receiver Lyle Leong caught 14 passes for 142 yards and three touchdowns.

Pardon passed for 212 yards and two touchdowns and three interceptions, before leaving on the final drive..

SMU kicker Matt Szymanski tied the school-record with a 61-yard field goal in the fourth quarter.

The Red Raiders (1-0) built as 21-7 lead at halftime, but were forced to hang on for their 17th win in their last 18 season openers.

SMU (0-1) will try to bounce back at home against UAB Saturday. Texas Tech (1-0) travels to New Mexico Saturday.