Let’s take a trip down memory lane and look back at some of the greatest moments in Texas Tech football history. And by that I mean some of the bright spots that the Red Raiders have been able to be a part of. And by that I mean that even though Texas Tech hasn’t won every game ever, there have been some truly memorable matchups for the Red Raiders.
Why are we doing this? Well, we're going through Texas Tech's history book throughout this offseason and it felt like a good idea to relive a few moments here and there, even if they were a little frustrating.
Like this one, for example.
Unfortunately for Texas Tech, the 1938 Sun Bowl matchup against the West Virginia Mountaineers out in El Paso didn’t exactly yield great results, a ton of points, or many yards. It was a bit of a nailbiter though and was closely contested pretty much all throughout.
And if it weren’t for a blocked extra-point attempt, it’s certainly very possible that Texas Tech’s first ever bowl appearance would have ended in a slightly better way than what it did.
Texas Tech football history: The Red Raiders didn’t get to enjoy the results of their 1938 Sun Bowl matchup with West Virginia
In what would be Texas Tech’s first trip out to El Paso for a Sun Bowl, the Red Raiders only scored six points. Turnovers were a problem for a Texas Tech team that managed to gain a grand total of 249 yards while completing seven passes and converting 14 first downs.
Fumbles are bad, for what it’s worth. Very bad. And those fumbles helped the Mountaineers get a win over Tech in El Paso.
On top of it all, the Red Raiders almost had a 92-yard rushing touchdown from Harry Clarke, but apparently he was called back for holding. Like fumbles, holding is bad. And in this case it was very bad. It almost certainly helped the Mountaineers beat Texas Tech. And that’s not good.
Pete Cawthon was Texas Tech’s head coach in this 7-6 loss to West Virginia (and also the first coach to guide the Red Raiders to a bowl game).