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Texas Tech Football: Looking back at memorable season openers

By Matthew Conner

STILLWATER, OK - SEPTEMBER 25: The Texas Tech Red Raiders flag flies outside the stadium before the game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys September 25, 2014 at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma. The Cowboys defeated the Red Raiders 45-35. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images)
STILLWATER, OK - SEPTEMBER 25: The Texas Tech Red Raiders flag flies outside the stadium before the game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys September 25, 2014 at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma. The Cowboys defeated the Red Raiders 45-35. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images) /
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18 Nov 1995: Running back Byron Hanspard of the Texas Tech Red Raiders focuses up field as he bursts around an opening in the offensive line while running with the football during a carry in the Red Raiders 44-14 victory over the SMU Mustangs at the Cott
18 Nov 1995: Running back Byron Hanspard of the Texas Tech Red Raiders focuses up field as he bursts around an opening in the offensive line while running with the football during a carry in the Red Raiders 44-14 victory over the SMU Mustangs at the Cott /

1996: No. 21 Kansas State 21 – Texas Tech 14

The 1996 opener was arguably the most significant season opener in program history because it was the first ever Big 12 football game.  Broadcast to a live national audience in an era when only a handful of games each week were televised, the Red Raiders came up short 21-14 in Manhattan, Kansas.

The 1996 team featured plenty of names that have become legendary in Texas Tech football lore.  The offense alone boasted Zebbie Lethridge, Byron Hanspard, Sammy Morris and Donnie Hart and was one of the best pre-Air Raid offenses in program history.

But this game still bothers many old school Red Raider fans for a number of missed calls that negated Tech’s potent offense.  Hart had a clear touchdown reception taken away as the official ruled him out of bounds.  In a time with no replay reviews, the call stood and cost Texas Tech points.

Later, a KSU defender literally tackled Texas Tech receiver Sheldon Bass at the goal line as he ran his pass route but no flag was thrown.  Tech would have its subsequent field goal attempt blocked as KSU went to the half up 14-3 despite trailing the Red Raiders in total yards 246-147.

Tech would have its chances to tie the game late but on 4th-and-19, Hart was knocked unconscious by a helmet-to-helmet hit that caused him to lose control of the ball.  The hit, which would have been a no-doubt personal foul in the modern game, was legal in 1996 and gave the ball back to KSU to run out the clock.

Texas Tech went 7-5 overall and 5-3 in the Big 12 in 1996.  That season finished with a 27-0 loss to No. 21 Iowa in the Alamo Bowl but the most memorable game that year came in the opener when Texas Tech helped usher in a new era in college football.

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