Texas Tech LB Bryce Ramirez Taken to Hospital After Suffering Gruesome Leg Injury
Sep 18, 2022
LUBBOCK, TEXAS - OCTOBER 23: Linebacker Bryce Ramirez #54 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders reacts after the Red Raiders recoverd a fumble during the first half of the college football game against the Kansas State Wildcats at Jones AT&T Stadium on October 23, 2021 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
Texas Tech linebacker Bryce Ramirez was carted off the field and taken to the hospital after suffering a leg injury during Saturday's game against North Carolina State.
Per the Associated Press, the injury occurred when Texas Tech defenders tackled Wolfpack running back Jordan Houston, and the pile rolled over Ramirez's left leg as it was planted in the field turf.
The AP noted the game had to be stopped for approximately 10 minutes while Ramirez was loaded onto a cart.
The ESPN telecast said Ramirez was being transported to the Wake Trauma Center to be treated for the injury.
Players from both teams came up to Ramirez to offer well-wishes to the junior linebacker.
Texas Tech LB Bryce Ramirez was carted off the field with a leg injury.
The NC State offense came up to him to offer their well wishes as he exited the field. pic.twitter.com/mJ8QhBOvKL
Per Don Williams of the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, Ramirez is a former walk-on who earned a scholarship and made his first career start on Saturday.
Ramirez enrolled at Texas Tech for the 2019-20 academic year. He was a member of the Red Raiders' scout team in his first two seasons and didn't appear in a game.
The Texas native appeared in seven games during the 2021 season, recording three tackles on special teams. He had three tackles in the Red Raiders' 33-30 double-overtime win over Houston on Sept. 10.
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Tahj Brooks, Texas Tech Blow Out Mississippi State to Win 2021 Liberty Bowl
Dec 29, 2021
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - DECEMBER 28: Eric Monroe #11 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders reacts during the first half of the AutoZone Liberty Bowl against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium on December 28, 2021 in Memphis, Tennessee. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)
The Texas Tech Red Raiders defeated the Mississippi State Bulldogs 34-7 in Tuesday's Liberty Bowl to capture their first winning season since 2015. The Red Raiders also hadn't won a bowl game since the 2013 Holiday Bowl in Kliff Kingsbury's first season as head coach.
Texas Tech entered Tuesday's game with just one win in its last five games.
Before Tuesday, the Red Raiders and Bulldogs hadn't met since 1970. Texas Tech lost that game 20-16. Mississippi State now leads the all-time series against Texas Tech 4-3-1.
Notable Stats
Donovan Smith, QB, TTU: 15/28 for 252 YDS, 1 TD and 5 CAR for 30 YDS, 1 TD
Will Rogers, QB, MSU: 32/53 for 290 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT
Tahj Brooks, RB, TTU: 16 CAR for 107 YDS, 1 TD
Makai Polk, WR, MSU: 7 REC for 57 YDS
SaRodorick Thompson, RB, TTU: 14 CAR for 80 YDS, 1 TD
Rara Thomas, WR, MSU: 2 REC for 32 YDS, 1 TD
Red Raiders' Rushing Offense Gets Job Done
Texas Tech quarterback Donovan Smith was underwhelming in the passing game Tuesday night. However, the Red Raiders' rushing offense got the job done.
Texas Tech opened the game with a rushing touchdown from sophomore running back Tahj Brooks, who was the team's most potent player on the ground against Mississippi State. He finished with 16 carries for 107 yards and one touchdown.
The Red Raiders' performance on the ground was somewhat surprising, as they entered ranked eighth in the Big 12 with 150.7 rushing yards per game. The team's passing offense, meanwhile, entered averaging 257.7 yards per game, which ranked third in the Big 12.
Tuesday's game was Brooks' first game with more than 100 rushing yards since a Sept. 11 win over Stephen F. Austin State University. It was also his most productive game since then.
Brooks entered with 461 yards and six touchdowns on the ground, a significant increase from the 255 rushing yards and four rushing scores he had as a freshman in 2020.
In addition to Brooks, junior running back SaRodorick Thompson had his most productive game since an Oct. 16 win over Kansas. He finished with 14 carries for 80 yards and one touchdown, in addition to Smith's five carries for 30 yards and one score.
Thompson entered with 448 rushing scores and nine rushing touchdowns in 10 games.
Texas Tech's rushing performance was even more impressive when looking at Mississippi State's defensive stats. The Bulldogs defense entered having allowed 101.2 rushing yards per game, the third-least in the SEC and 10th-least in college football.
To be fair, the Mississippi State defense was without several key defensive players on Tuesday, including safety Jalen Green, defensive linemen Randy Charlton and Jaden Crumedy, and cornerback Martin Emerson, who declared for the NFL draft. The defense was also without linebacker Aaron Brule, who transferred to Michigan State.
Regardless, Tuesday's performance from the Red Raiders' rushing offense was impressive, and Texas Tech fans can look forward to another season of Brooks and Thompson in the backfield in 2022.
Will Rogers Underwhelming for Bulldogs
Tuesday's game was Rogers' worst of the season. There's no other way to put it.
The sophomore quarterback entered having completed 75.1 percent of his passes for 4,449 yards (370.8 yards per game) and 35 touchdowns to eight interceptions. His passing yardage was tied for second in college football with UVA's Brennan Armstrong, while his completion percentage ranked first.
Rogers completed just 32 of 53 passes (60.3 percent) for 290 yards, one touchdown and one interception against the Red Raiders. He hadn't been held to under 300 passing yards since a Sept. 11 win over NC State.
However, Mississippi State's rushing offense didn't do Rogers any favors, either. Sophomore running backs Dillon Johnson and Jo'quavious Marks finished with just 14 carries for 81 yards.
The Bulldogs offense actually entered having averaged 385.7 passing yards per game, the most in the SEC, which further highlights Rogers' struggles in the pocket.
Mississippi State could have thrust itself back into Tuesday's game early in the fourth quarter, but Rogers threw a costly interception, and the Red Raiders charged back down the field to put things out of reach for the Bulldogs.
Rogers hadn't thrown an interception since a Nov. 6 loss to Arkansas. The Bulldogs went 5-2 in games he didn't throw a pick this season.
Despite his performance Tuesday, Bulldogs fans have a lot to look forward to from Rogers in the future. He set Mississippi State's single-season passing records for yards and touchdowns this season, which were previously held by Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. He also became the first-ever Bulldog to throw for more than 4,000 yards in a season.
If there's one thing to take away from Tuesday's Liberty Bowl, it's that Rogers is still learning, but he has an incredibly bright future ahead among college football's best.
Mike Leach Says Texas Tech 'Cheated' Him Out of $2.6M with 2009 Firing
Dec 27, 2021
Mississippi State coach Mike Leach looks downfield at his players during the second half of the team's NCAA college football game against Tennessee State, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Starkville, Miss. Mississippi State won 55-10. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Mississippi State head football coach Mike Leach said that his former employer, Texas Tech, "cheated" him out of $2.6 million after firing him in 2009.
"Forever," Leach said when asked how long he planned to fight Texas Tech in court over the money, per Andy Kostka of the Clarion-Ledger.
"Why not? I mean, what do I got to lose? I don't have anything to lose. I mean, they cheated me out of $2.6 million, plus four years remaining on my contract."
The comments occurred during a sitdown with the media prior to the upcoming Liberty Bowl, which pits the Bulldogs against the Red Raiders.
Texas Tech fired Leach over his alleged treatment of former Texas Tech wide receiver Adam James in 2009. Kostka provided more context.
The scandal began in December 2009, when James accused Leach and his staff of locking him in a darkened room after he suffered a concussion. Craig James, Adam James' father and at the time an ESPN commentator, approached Texas Tech about his son's treatment.
James wanted Leach fired. Texas Tech President Guy Bailey asked Leach to write a letter of apology to James and his family, but after Leach refused, Bailey suspended him on Dec. 28, 2009. That prompted Leach to file a temporary restraining order against Texas Tech, hoping to still coach the bowl game.
Instead, according to court records, Bailey said he and athletics director Gerald Myers decided 'the relationship was probably broken.' They fired Leach for cause on Dec. 30, 2009.
Leach claimed there wasn't an investigation into how the team treated James and added that Texas Tech illegally hid public records from the former Red Raiders coach and his legal team.
He's been fighting Texas Tech in court for 12 years, calling into question the for-cause firing. The Texas Supreme Court notably rejected an appeal in 2012 after Leach sued Texas Tech for wrongful termination.
"I think settling for $2.6 (million) is very generous on my part, and the hiding of documents becomes even more disgusting because that shows a level of corruption," Leach said Monday. "I wouldn't even rule out some criminal prosecution on the thing. We'll see how it unfolds."
Trey Mongrue of WLBT provided some video of some of Leach's comments, which include remarks that he's been willing to "settle this thing for a long time."
"Been willing to settle for a long time"
Mike Leach has been in the middle of a wrongful termination legal battle with Texas Tech for a decade now
Leach moved on to Washington State, coaching there from 2012 to 2019 before landing at Mississippi State in 2020.
This year's Bulldogs team went 7-5 in the regular season. Their Liberty Bowl appearance will go down at 6:45 p.m. ET on Tuesday at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis against the 6-6 Red Raiders.
Texas Tech Radio Announcers Removed from Next Game After Criticism of Big 12 Refs
Nov 18, 2021
HOUSTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 04: A Texas Tech helmet awaits the next series during the football game between the Texas Tech Red Raiders and University of Houston Cougars at NRG Stadium on September 4, 2021 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Ken Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby issued a public reprimand of Texas Tech football's radio play-by-play announcer Brian Jensen and color analyst John Harris and suspended them for Saturday's game against Oklahoma State for their critical comments about the officiating in last week's loss to Iowa State.
"I understand the roles of the play-by-play and color analyst," Bowlsby said in a statement Wednesday. "However as university representatives they also have an obligation to adhere to conference policy regarding comments about game officials. The comments by the Red Raider Radio Network booth announcers were contrary to expected levels of respect and professionalism. Questioning the integrity of conference officials and specifically calling out members of the officiating crew is well beyond appropriate and permissible behavior."
Jensen and Harris ripped Big 12 officials on several occasions late in the Red Raiders' 41-38 loss to Iowa State, accusing them of "slanted" officiating. Jensen also called out Bowlsby by name.
"Yeah, Bob Bowlsby, you need to answer to this. This is ridiculous. ... Unbelievable. The inconsistency of this referee crew in favor of Iowa State today, unbelievable," Jensen said.
Regional play-by-play announcers and color commentators regularly call their games with an obvious bias toward their side. Texas Tech fans don't listen to their school's radio hoping for someone to call it right down the middle. It's why local radio calls tend to go viral, because play-by-play announcers can give off unbridled joy or disappointment.
Even some mild criticism of officiating is to be expected. That said, Jensen and Harris seem to have crossed a line with their commentary when it came to accusations of game-fixing on the conference level.
Texas Tech, Baylor's Joey McGuire Reportedly Agree to Contract to Be New Football HC
Nov 8, 2021
A Texas Tech helmet sits on the field during the second half of an NCAA college football game between Iowa State and Texas Tech, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020, in Ames, Iowa. Iowa State won 31-15. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Texas Tech didn't wait long to decide on its next head football coach. The Red Raiders have hired Baylor assistant Joey McGuire, according to Don Williams and Carlos Silva Jr. of the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal.
Pete Thamel of Yahoo Sports also reported the news, noting McGuire's local ties in Texas helped him stand out in the interview process.
The move comes two weeks after Texas Tech fired Matt Wells following a 5-3 start to the 2021 season. Sonny Cumbie has served as the interim head coach.
McGuire will be the long-term replacement after spending the past five seasons at Baylor. He has been the associate head coach since 2019 while also leading the tight ends, defensive ends and outside linebackers at different points during his tenure in Waco, Texas.
Baylor has undergone a massive transformation, going 1-11 in 2017 before reaching the Sugar Bowl under Matt Rhule with an 11-3 record in 2019. McGuire stayed on staff after Rhule left for the Carolina Panthers, assisting Dave Aranda the past two seasons. The Bears are 7-2 and No. 18 in the Associated Press poll.
Prior to his time with Baylor, McGuire was the head coach at Cedar Hill High School in Texas, leading the squad to three state championships in 14 seasons. He was inducted into the Texas High School Coaches Association Hall of Honor in 2020.
Texas Tech will hope this experience helps him as he takes over a program that hasn't finished a season with a winning record since 2015 under Kliff Kingsbury.
The Red Raiders began 2021 with a 4-1 record but have lost four of the last five games and have a tough remaining schedule with games against Iowa State, Oklahoma State and Baylor.
Athletic director Kirby Hocutt discussed what he was looking for in a new coach after firing Wells last month:
The right fit for the next head coach, good question, you know I believe we, if possible, you want to see somebody that has strong state of Texas ties. Somebody who knows this state, knows the recruiting landscape, the recruiting landscape continues to change as all of you know with the transfer portal, but still the ability to go into Texas high schools and have a relationship there, and be able to recruit and sell West Texas and everything that Texas Tech has to offer would be important to us.
McGuire's time in Texas as a high school coach and Baylor assistant seemingly make him a perfect fit.
Matt Wells Fired as Texas Tech HC After 2-Plus Seasons with Program; Had 13-17 Record
Oct 25, 2021
LAWRENCE, KS - OCTOBER 16: Texas Tech Red Raiders head coach Matt Wells in the third quarter of a Big 12 football game between the Texas Tech Red Raiders and Kansas Jayhawks on Oct 16, 2021 at Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, KS. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The Texas Tech Red Raiders fired head football coach Matt Wells on Monday, the school confirmed in an announcement.
Chris Vannini of The Athletic first reported the decision to part ways with Wells.
Texas Tech is 5-3 on the season following a 25-24 loss to the Kansas State Wildcats and faces the Oklahoma Sooners on Saturday.
Wells took over the program prior to the 2019 season and was just 13-17 overall with the Red Raiders.
Texas Tech said offensive coordinator Sonny Cumbie will take over as interim head coach.
Pete Thamel of Yahoo Sports reported SMU's Sonny Dykes and UTSA's Jeff Traylor are "early names to watch" as potential replacements for the Big 12 program. He also reported former Baylor head coach Art Briles likely will not be a candidate.
The timing of this move is somewhat surprising considering the Red Raiders have shown some improvement this season.
They were just 4-8 in Wells' first season and 4-6 last year, but they already have five wins with four games remaining this season. They also defeated a 6-1 Houston team and led Kansas State by 14 points at halftime before losing the lead in the second half.
Cumbie will have his work cut out for him as the interim despite that progress given that Texas Tech closes with four straight games against nationally ranked foes in Oklahoma, Iowa State, Oklahoma State and Baylor.
Still, the opportunity is there for the program to finish with its first winning season since 2015.
As for Wells, he was the head coach of Utah State for six years prior to coming to the Red Raiders and finished with a 44-34 record. His best season was in 2018 when the Aggies went 10-2.
Texas Tech RB SaRodorick Thompson Arrested After Racing Car on Highway in June
Sep 21, 2020
Texas Tech running back Sarodorick Thompson in action during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2020, in Lubbock, Texas. The Texas Tech Red Raiders played the Houston Baptist Huskies in Jones AT&T Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark Rogers)
Texas Tech running back SaRodorick Thompson was reportedly arrested Monday on a Class B misdemeanor charge of racing on a highway.
The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal reported the news, noting this arrest stems from the same alleged incident in which wide receiver Caden Trey Leggett was arrested for June 27.
Leggett too was charged with a Class B misdemeanor count of racing on a highway.
Thompson, who apparently fled the scene as Leggett was arrested, was booked into the Lubbock County Detention Center on Monday.
Texas Tech released a statement saying it will handle the incident "in accordance with the Student-Athlete Code of Conduct process."
TheLubbock Avalanche-Journalcited a police report that said three cars were involved in the racing. Leggett admitted he was racing a teammate when he was pulled over, but said teammate never returned even though he told the passenger in the wide receiver's car he would via text message.
The police officer also found a map of the course they were apparently racing on Leggett's phone during a search of the car.
Leggett, who was a3-star prospectin the 2018 recruiting class, primarily played on special teams last year.
Thompson, who was also a3-star prospect in the 2018 class, is a much more integral player in Texas Tech's offense. He led the team with 765 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns last year and impressed in the 2020 season opener with 118 rushing yards and two touchdowns in a win over Houston Baptist.
Texas Tech Football to Play Home Games in Front of 25 Percent Stadium Capacity
Aug 13, 2020
Texas Tech head coach Matt Wells prior to an NCAA college football game against Arizona, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso)
Texas Tech director of athletics Kirby Hocutt unveiled plans Thursday to allow for Jones AT&T Stadium to seat around 25 percent of its usual capacity for football games.
"This will allow for added physical distancing of fans and students in each section," Hocutt said. "Due to the limited capacity, tickets will be offered via three-game mini-plans in select sections as well as on a single-game basis. This will allow us to accommodate as many fans as possible throughout the season. Club and suite areas will remain as a season ticket."
Texas Techaveraged53,418 fans over its six home games in 2019, though the venue has anofficial capacityof 60,454. That would presumably mean around 15,000 fans could watch the Red Raiders live in Lubbock this season.
Twenty-five percent is the same figure Oklahoma and Baylorareusingfor their home games. Iowa Stateset 50 percentas its upper limit in May.
Some will argue that the idea of welcoming fans to football games is a tad optimistic given what has transpired this week.
The Big Tenannounced Tuesday it was postponing its fall sports season because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Hours later, the Pac-12 postponedall sports through the end of the calendar year.
The Big 12, on the other hand,indicatedit still plans to play football in the fall and announced the schedules for each of its 10 schools.
