30 Greatest Games in Texas Tech History
Nov 15, 2014; Lubbock, TX, USA; The Texas Tech Red Raiders masked rider enters the stadium before the game with the Oklahoma Sooners at Jones AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
No. 18 – vs. TCU 1936
In the 18th greatest game in Texas Tech history, the Red Raiders shut out one of the most legendary college football quarterbacks of all-time. After losing its first five games against TCU, Texas Tech finally broke through against the Horned Frogs in the most improbable of ways.
TCU came to Lubbock in 1936 led by future College Football and Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Sammy Baugh. The two-time all-American was a pioneer in the passing game making him the sixth pick in the 1937 NFL draft.
In the previous five games between the two schools, Texas Tech had lost by double digits coming no closer to TCU than 10 points. In an improbable performance, the Red Raider defense shut out the prolific TCU offense en route to a 7-0 victory in Lubbock.
Texas Tech would finish the season 5-4-1 under 7th-year head coach Pete Cawthon. After playing football for only 11 seasons, Texas Tech was still trying to establish relevance on the national scene and shutting out the legendary Sammy Baugh was a major step in that direction.
This game was also the first time the Saddle Tramps appeared for Texas Tech as well as the first time the Masked Rider would appear at a Texas Tech football game running across the field in rogue fashion as part of a prank by Texas Tech students.
Next: 1973 Gator Bowl