To say that Texas Tech fans went through a rollercoaster of emotions on Saturday would be an understatement. Unfortunately, the way the day ended is what everyone is going to remember.
It started well with fans across Raiderland showing up in droves for FOX's Big Noon Kickoff pregame show. The passion of the fanbase was unmistakable throughout the two-hour broadcast as a deluge of tortillas rained down on the FOX set.
THEY WEREN’T KIDDING ABOUT THE TORTILLAS IN LUBBOCK‼️😳@TexasTechFB x @TexasTech pic.twitter.com/0DhpkkYLzb
— Big Noon Kickoff (@BNKonFOX) November 9, 2024
I’m taking @markingramII & @Brady_Quinn in a tortilla fight all day long 🔥💪 pic.twitter.com/TzCduT2fNF
— Big Noon Kickoff (@BNKonFOX) November 9, 2024
However, once the game started, things turned sour for the home faithful. With the Red Raiders blowing a 13-0 first-quarter lead to fall 41-27 to Colorado, the night didn't end the way anyone in Scarlet and Black hoped.
The problem was that the game had way too many controversial moments and questionable officiating decisions, most of which went against the Red Raiders. As a result, some fans began to throw trash and other items onto the Colorado sideline prompting head coach Joey McGuire to get on the stadium microphone and demand that the throwing of objects stop immediately before Tech was penalized for it.
That was just one way that Tech fans expressed their anger on Saturday, and of course, it was an unacceptable way to do it. The more healthy way for fans to vent was to take to social media where the vitriol was widespread.
Of course, the officials got their fair share of the blame from Red Raider fans on X.
Has there ever been a worse officiated game?
— TXTech 🌵 (@_Red_Raiders_) November 9, 2024
Complete and utter ref job. I have no other words for this atrocity that I have witnessed. Completely inexcusable. You should be embarrassed @Big12Conference
— Tricia Wurmstein 🌵 (@triciawurmstein) November 10, 2024
This Officiating Crew shouldn’t call another game in this conference or else people are going to tune out. @Big12Conference
— The Rowdy Raider 🌵 (@RowdyRedRaider0) November 9, 2024
I’ve never seen a crew cheat more than this one.
— Cotton Club Crew (@CottonCC_FFSN) November 9, 2024
I cannot wait till the suspensions come down because this is rigged.
Never let these refs work another game
— Jack Anderson (@JackAnderson56) November 9, 2024
Even by Big 12 standards, that was some of the worst officiating I've ever seen.
— Flatland Sports🌵 (@flatland_sports) November 10, 2024
That was awful officiating. No excuses made because we didn’t play well, but a @Big12Conference crew should be better than that.
— Cody Campbell (@CodyC64) November 10, 2024
The officials were awful
— Norense Odiase (@kingno_) November 10, 2024
Meanwhile, another target was offensive coordinator Zach Kittley, who has been one of the fan base's favorite dogs to kick all season long.
If we’re able to fire our beloved Kliff Kingsbury for the betterment of our program, then we can fire Zach Kittley.
— Sidelines - Texas Tech 🌵 (@SSN_TTU) November 10, 2024
Here’s what should happen
— AustinK 🌵 (@AKKnotty) November 10, 2024
1. Fire Zach Kittley. He’s a bum.
2. Bench Morton he won’t lead you to glory
3. Start Hammond, your already bowl eligible get him the touches
4. Hire literally any Offensive coordinator that understands how to play in the flow of the game.
5. Cry
Zach Kittley needs to go. I’ve seen ENOUGH! pic.twitter.com/iKeGnG0l2E
— JOHN REECE 🌵 (@JohnReece247) November 10, 2024
Zach Kittley is an awful coordinator.
— Danny Gonzalez (@dannygo16) November 10, 2024
Zach Kittley has to be gone. And at this point play Hammond the last two games. See what you have
— Blake Hartsfield (@bhartsfield10) November 10, 2024
Zach Kittley has absolutely no feel for how to call a game. Tahj doesn’t tough the ball in the red zone until it’s 4th and goal and the whole world knows he’s getting it
— Josh🌵 (@JoshReed21) November 10, 2024
Meanwhile, after throwing an interception and losing a fumble while completing just 24 of 40 passes for 275 yards, starting QB Behren Morton was not free from criticism either.
Morton’s time may be coming to an end, his pocket timing is hurting us
— The Scarlet Ŧortilla 🌵 (@ScarletTortilla) November 10, 2024
I’ve mostly kept it to myself because he seems popular with the fanbase and he’s not a *bad* QB, but I truly believe this team will never contend for a Big XII title with Behren Morton. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not impressed with Kittley either but I think we’re going to see a… https://t.co/DLWBJOaEyd
— Trey Day 🤘 (@pale_writer0) November 10, 2024
Behren Morton should probably never play another snap at quarterback again in his life. His decision making is horrendous
— James Lavelle (@JLAVS1231_) November 10, 2024
Why aren’t we playing will Hammond??? Behren Morton is not the answer….
— Htown032 (@Htown032) November 10, 2024
I think this game confirms that Behren Morton Is a "just a guy" quarterback. Nothing wrong with that, but I'll be hoping for better from Will Hammond or whomever ends up replacing Morton down the road.
— Roger Hardy 🌵🔋🏴☠️ (@Roger__Hardy) November 10, 2024
Tech has to have a better option at QB than Behren Morton. He's a big reason they lost that game.
— Landry Morren (@landrymorren) November 10, 2024
Behren Morton is absolute TRASH 🗑️🗑️🗑️ pic.twitter.com/88Lso5yfCP
— Thechek182 (@thechek182) November 10, 2024
However, one reason Morton struggled was that his offensive line was atrocious in front of him. That didn't go unnoticed by Texas Tech fans.
Texas Tech Offensive Line pic.twitter.com/3fSa9HgA0Z
— Talkin’ Tech Podcast 🎙(sad again) (@TalkinTechPod) November 10, 2024
Who is in charge of the offensive line coach? No excuses for Kittley he is god awful
— Yosemite Sam 🏴☠️ (@TexasTechFB1) November 10, 2024
Texas tech offensive line getting beat like a dog
— vlglkdr (@vlglkdr) November 10, 2024
Not to be overlooked, the Texas Tech defense was unable to offer much resistance after the first quarter of the game. That drew the ire of many Red Raiders on social media.
Texas tech may have the worst defense in the entirety of college football
— Linus skol tips🇻🇦 (@cookedbykwesi) November 9, 2024
Texas Tech has one of the worst defenses in regard to covering WR screens. Like, what are they even doing?
— LeetLargo (@LeetLargo) November 9, 2024
Texas Tech defense refuses to make adjustments. CU has scored and gotten multiple explosive plays on screens and you still allow your corners to play soft coverage.
— David Glasco (@GlascoII) November 9, 2024
Needing Texas Tech to sprout a defense may be my undoing.
— Ty🌾 (@Tkrenzin) November 9, 2024
Finally, head coach Joey McGuire doesn't escape blame from the fans. In fact, he is getting roasted by many Red Raiders.
Joey McGuire is the worst in-game coach in CFB. That is not me speaking emotionally, I challenge you to find anyone worse. He has repeatedly cost Tech ball games. He is brain dead.
— kstate_MAN (@kstateman14) November 9, 2024
The biggest issue with Joey McGuire is that he NEVER delivers when expectations are high
— Linus skol tips🇻🇦 (@cookedbykwesi) November 10, 2024
NEVER https://t.co/4oWNz10OXj
I don’t know how Joey McGuire survives this. (I actually do. They’re going to be 6-4 and I’m being dramatic because I wanted Tech to win this) but this has been one of the worst managed football games I have ever seen. He has to get a dunce cap tattooed on his forehead.
— scottwildcat (@scottwildcat) November 10, 2024
We’ve lost every single screen Colorado has thrown.
— Cotton Club Crew (@CottonCC_FFSN) November 9, 2024
Touchdown Colorado.
Joey McGuire with the most inexplicable decision of the year and Tech pays for it immediately.
Let's be honest, Joey McGuire is a high school coach. Nothing more.
— Lane (@lanecart07) November 10, 2024
The fact that Tech has 6 wins it’s terrible only cause Joey McGuire won’t get fired.. that dude is one of the worst coaches alive
— Javier Samaniego (@javiersam2014) November 9, 2024
How do Texas tech fans do it? This team is horrible. Joey McGuire is not it
— Huevery Johnson 🌾🥚🍳 (@SirSmores) November 9, 2024
GTFO with Joey McGuire. Bum.
— MJ (@mj_from_kansas) November 10, 2024
Someone cancel Joey McGuire.
— scottwildcat (@scottwildcat) November 9, 2024
In the end, it was a miserable ending to a day that had so much promise. Now, Texas Tech fans are left to stew in their anger for two weeks as the program has an open date next Saturday. This is not how the Red Raiders needed to go into that off week as it gives fans two weeks to complain and criticize. Maybe the basketball team will provide us with a distraction and something to be happy about during that time.