On the Gridiron

Texas Tech Football: Texas Tech accepts invitation to AutoZone Liberty Bowl

Texas Tech formally accepted its 42nd bowl appearance in school history Sunday as the Red Raiders will face Arkansas on Dec. 27 in the 66th AutoZone Liberty Bowl in Memphis, Tennessee. Kickoff from historic Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium is slated for 6 p.m. with television coverage provided on ESPN.

“Texas Tech is proud to accept its 42nd bowl appearance in school history and return to the AutoZone Liberty Bowl,” Director of Athletics Kirby Hocutt said. “We look forward to bringing Red Raider Nation back to the great city of Memphis to showcase our football program in one of college football’s most-storied bowl games.”

The Red Raiders will head back to Memphis where Texas Tech delivered one of its most-memorable bowl victories in 2021, a 34-7 rout of Mississippi State in its first-ever trip to the AutoZone Liberty Bowl. The victory kicked off Texas Tech’s current three-game winning streak in bowl games, which is currently tied for the longest in school history.

Lubbock Avalanche-Journal’s Don Williams: Childhood Hog Joey McGuire fired up for Texas Tech football vs. Arkansas in Liberty Bowl

McGuire was born in Texarkana on the Texas-Arkansas border. He told the Avalanche-Journal shortly after Texas Tech hired him in 2021 how he grew up rooting for the Razorbacks and had the ubiquitous Hog hat.

Now, the two programs will square off at 6 p.m. Dec. 27 in Memphis, Tennessee. They were matched up Sunday for a bowl that’ll be televised on ESPN.

“I am really fired up about this bowl and our opponent,” McGuire said. “I grew up a Razorback fan. Whenever I turned 15, I got my own (phone) line. My number was (817) 297-1HOG. We had season tickets for the Razorbacks almost my entire life. I have a lot of family (there).

“All my mom’s side’s in Arkansas, so I grew up calling the Hogs. I cannot wait to be playing Arkansas, hear ’em call ‘Pig Sooie’ and we come right back at ’em with some ‘Raider Power.’”

Texas Tech Football: Leftwich tabbed to lead Texas Tech’s offense

Texas Tech Football: Texas Tech announces Wood as defensive coordinator

On3: Nebraska WR coach Garret McGuire leaving NU for Texas Tech

Lubbock Avalanche-Journal’s Don Williams: How Texas Tech football can make CFP next year: An off-season to-do list

Find a pass rush

High on the list of unfulfilled expectations this season is production from the edge rushers. Joseph Adedire and Dylan Spencer missed the season with knee injuries. Two players who looked like playmakers earlier in their careers — Isaac Smith for the last month of the 2022 season, Amier Washington during the 2023 Independence Bowl — didn’t come on as hoped.

Last year, McGuire lamented getting only 1 1/2 sacks from inside linebackers. This year, he’s gotten only 7 1/2 sacks from the edge rushers, which contributed to Tech ranking next-to-last in the FBS in pass defense. Among the edge players, Harvey Dyson, Charles Esters, Terrell Tilmon and the four above have eligibility remaining.

On the Pitch

Texas Tech Soccer: Macy Blackburn named MAC Hermann Semifinalist

Texas Tech Soccer: Macy Blackburn Earns First Team All-America Status