Texas Tech news roundup: Amazing hockey uniforms, softball picks up commits, more

Texas Tech hockey club reveals uniforms to honor beloved school tradition

We don't often talk about the Texas Tech hockey club because it isn't a university-sponsored sport. However, this week that club made news by showcasing a unique and amazing uniform design.

This year, the Red Raiders will be wearing tortilla-themed jerseys to pay homage to the tradition of throwing tortillas at the Texas Tech football games. The uniforms are so unique that they made news on NHL.com.

Most believe that the tortilla tossing in Lubbock began in the early 1990s when a television commentator said during a Texas Tech home game that there wasn't anything in Lubbock besides Texas Tech and a tortilla factory. Legend has it that when that same TV crew returned later in the season, the students threw tortillas onto the field to mock the comment.

Now, throwing tortillas has become Tech's best unofficial tradition. And the fact that the hockey club is supporting that activity with their sweaters this year is proof of that.

Texas Tech softball ranked in "way too early" 2025 power ranking, lands two commits

It is going to take some adjustment for Texas Tech fans to come to grips with the fact that the Red Raider softball team could be a national power this spring. Of course, that's largely because of the arrival of the nation's best pitcher, NiJaree Canady, who transferred from Stanford.

This week, with the softball transfer portal season behind us, Ryan Aber of The Oklahoman released his way-too-early power rankings. Texas Tech comes in at No. 6 on that list.

About Tech, Aber writes, "New coach Gerry Glasco has quickly built a team capable of an Oklahoma City run. It starts with former Stanford ace NiJaree Canady."

The only teams ranked ahead of Tech in Aber's rankings are, in order, Texas, Florida, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, and UCLA. That means that Tech should be the Big 12 favorites this spring.

In other Texas Tech softball news, the Red Raiders also picked up two nice verbal commitments this week. Avery Howerton, a pitcher and outfielder in the class of 2026, and Sydona Meiser, a first baseman and outfielder in the same class have pledged to join the Red Raiders. Both are considered top 100 players in the nation.

Tech soccer beats Utah in Big 12 home opener

The Texas Tech soccer team picked up its first Big 12 win of the season on Thursday night. Taking down Utah 2-0 in Lubbock, the Red Raiders moved to 1-0-1 in conference play.

Head coach Tom Stone's team is now unbeaten at home in its last 19 conference games and its last 18 games overall. Those streaks stayed intact thanks to a pair of goals that came just minutes apart.

In a scoreless game in the second half, Skylar Hasse opened the scoring at the 69:59 mark. Then, just over 2:30 later, Chloe Soto found the back of the net to give the Red Raiders their second goal.

Tech moves to 6-2-1 on the season with the win. Now, the Red Raiders begin a 3-game road trip at No. 12 Oklahoma State on Sunday afternoon. First touch from Stillwater is set for 1 p.m.

Behren Morton added to Davey O'Brien watchlist

This week, following a standout performance against UNT, Texas Tech starting quarterback, Behren Morton was added to the Davey O'Brien Award in-season watchlist.

After throwing for 273 yards and four touchdowns in just the first half of last week's game against the Mean Green, Morton was recognized by the Davey O'Brien Foundation's "Great 8" committee. He was one of 16 players honored by the committee in week three.

The Davey O'Brien Award is annually awarded to the nation's top quarterback. Though Morton was not on the preseason watchlist for this award, his recognition in week three now puts him on the midseason watchlist.