Taylor Potts threw four touchdown passes and scored another on a trick play, and Eric Stephens ran 86 yards for a score to carry Texas Tech to a 45-38 victory over Northwestern in the inaugural TicketCity Bowl.

The Red Raiders (8-5) led by 22 points early in the second half, then had to sweat it out.

The Wildcats (7-6) got within a touchdown twice in the fourth quarter, with freshmen quarterbacks Evan Watkins and Kain Colter combining to lead three straight touchdown drives and Jordan Maybin returning an interception 39 yards for a score with 5:37 left.

The game wasn't decided until the final play, a heave by Watkins that was intercepted.

Northwestern remains winless in a bowl since 1949. The Wildcats have lost eight in a row, including three straight close ones the last three seasons.