Texas Tech football: Snyder Family Stadium has been house of horrors for Red Raiders
On the surface, it sounds like the most welcoming stadium in the Big 12. Bill Snyder Family Stadium in Manhattan, Kansas. After all, the namesake was one of the kindest and most unassuming coaches in the history of college football. Also, the inclusion of the word “family” makes it feel as if everyone is welcome. But don’t tell that to the Texas Tech football program.
That’s because the home of the Kansas State Wildcats has been nothing but a house of horrors for the Red Raiders. Now, Joey McGuire will take his shot at trying to change that narrative this weekend when he takes his team to the Little Apple to face a Wildcat team coming off of a road win over the Oklahoma Sooners.
Currently, Tech is riding a five-game losing streak at Snyder Family Stadium. That means that Tech hasn’t won at Kansas State since 2008. That year, in a 58-28 laugher, Graham Harrell accounted for seven total touchdowns, six through the air.
Of course, Michael Crabtree was Harrell’s favorite target that day catching nine passes for 109 yards and two touchdowns. Meanwhile, Lyle Leong caught three passes, all of which went for scores.
Unfortunately, performances like that in Manhattan have been rare for the Red Raiders. In fact, Tech has won only one other time at KSU. In 2004, Sonny Cumbie led the Red Raiders to a 35-25 victory at Snyder Family Stadium.
Outside of those two games, Tech is 0-7 in games played in Manhattan all-time. That includes some fairly frustrating outcomes for the Red Raiders.
In 1996, in the first-ever Big 12 game, the Red Raiders fell to KSU 21-14. That day, Tech had a touchdown reception wiped off the board when an official ruled that receiver Donnie Hart was out of bounds despite the fact that he clearly had both feet down in the field of play while securing the ball. Later on that drive at the end of the first half, Tech’s Sheldon Bass was literally tackled at the goal line while running a pass route but no flag was thrown. It all added up to a maddening afternoon in Manhattan for Tech.
Four years later, Kliff Kingsbury had one of his worst days as a Red Raider at Snyder Family Stadium. Completing just 29 of 60 passes for 302 yards, he was picked off twice and had only one passing TD in a 28-23 loss.
Tech would then win its next two trips to Manhatten but then 2012 saw the Red Raiders blown out of Snyder Family Stadium 55-24. That day, Tech turned the ball over three times and gave up 42 points in the second half.
Two years later, little was different as Tech fell 45-13. Davis Webb threw four interceptions and running back DeAndre Washington had just 27 yards on 7 carries as Tech put up little fight.
Not even Patrick Mahomes could change Tech’s fortunes in Manhattan in 2016. That night, in a 44-38 loss, Mahomes was able to throw for 508 yards but he could lead Tech to only 10 second-half points, the last seven of which came with five seconds left to play and the game already decided.
In 2018, Tech was woeful on offense on a bitterly cold day late in the season falling 21-6. That day, a hobbled Jett Duffey played QB and passed for only 150 yards while the rushing attack managed only 31 yards.
Finally, in 2020, Tech was competitive in Manhattan until deep into the fourth quarter. However, trailing by three points late in the game, Tech allowed KSU’s Deuce Vaughn to score on a 70-yard catch and run to seal the win.
That brings us to 2022 and Tech’s trip to Manhattan this weekend. On the surface, Tech appears to face an uphill climb in this one, especially with KSU flying high after dowing Oklahoma this past Saturday.
Keep in mind though that the last time KSU played at home, they did fall to Tulane 17-10. Thus, there’s no reason to believe that Tech can’t come out of Snyder Family Stadium with a win this week. However, for that to happen, the Red Raiders are going to have to finally figure out how to put to bed the horrors that have befallen them in a stadium that has been anything but welcoming despite its friendly name.