Texas Tech running back Cameron Dickey (8) runs the ball against Houston during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, in Lubbock, Texas. (AP Photo/Justin Rex)
Justin Rex/Associated Press
LUBBOCK — On a Friday night when one head coach may have one-upped the other in the eyes of the Texas High School Coaches Association, at least Houston and Texas Tech didn’t offend college football fans with their play on high school football’s holy night.
Both put on a show in 13th-ranked Texas Tech’s 28-26 win over 22nd-ranked Houston before 60,229 at Galaxy Stadium, which, before a data center dropped $75 million on it this summer, had some version of “Jones Stadium” in its name since its birth in 1947.
Conner Weigman’s desperate lunge for the goal line with 49 seconds left came up both inches and two points short of potential overtime.
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Joey McGuire said this week that, other than Oregon in the Orange Bowl, Houston is the best team they’ve played in two years.
Certainly better than the Houston team that Tech blew out last year. And Tech isn’t as good as it was last year.
The defense misses big-time players such as Jacob Rodriguez and David Bailey and Lee Hunter, and Will Hammond is still a little hit-and-miss as Behren Morton’s replacement, though he appears to be growing into the job.
The good news: The Red Raiders are 3-0 and may not play another team in the regular season as good as the Cougars.
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Bad news: Houston can say the same about Tech.
From all appearances Friday, this won’t be the last time they play each other this season.
Herewith, five takeaways:
Texas Tech wide receiver Coy Eakin, center, is tackled by Houston cornerback Jalen Mayo (2) and defensive back Kentrell Webb (8) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, in Lubbock, Texas. (AP Photo/Justin Rex)
Justin Rex/Associated Press
Personal protests?
In his Monday presser this week, Joey McGuire said it felt “weird” to play a home game on Friday night, which he called “holy ground” for high school football. McGuire, a member of the Texas High School Coaches Association Hall of Honor, said he would wear a THSCA cap before the game as a sign of solidarity with his former brethren.
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McGuire did just that, in fact, before switching back to his Texas Tech cap for the game.
But Houston’s Willie Fritz, who coached just one year of high school football in Texas way back in 1986 at Willis, wore his THSCA cap throughout the game.
Just like old times
Friday’s game was the first matchup between the old Southwest Conference rivals when both were ranked since 1989, when the 13th-ranked Cougars, behind Heisman Trophy winner Andre Ware, beat 18th-ranked Tech, 40-24, at the Astrodome.
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The Red Raiders got their revenge Friday after spotting the Cougars a 10-0 lead in a near-disastrous first quarter. Tech held the ball for a total of 59 seconds in its first two possessions.
But, from the second quarter on, the teams went toe-to-toe, trading haymakers. Going into the fourth quarter, with Tech ahead 21-20, there had been three lead-changes.
Tech finally pulled away just enough with its first drive of the fourth quarter. Will Hammond led the Red Raiders 87 yards on 11 plays in 6:03. The Cougars had one last chance with 2:46 left and the ball at their own 12. Weigman nearly pulled it off, throwing a 10-yard touchdown pass to Patrick Overmyer to close within two before the failed two-point attempt.
Work to do on defense
In their 2-0 start, Tech’s defense, the backbone of its College Football Playoff run last year, has been a work in progress, which is putting it nicely.
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The Red Raiders gave up 472 yards to Oregon State in a comeback win. Houston amassed 458, including 176 rushing. And Tech’s run defense had been its lone bright spot before Friday.
Worst Dak impression
Tommy Castellanos, a Florida State transfer on his fourth stop in college football who got some work in the Red Raiders’ red zone offense against Oregon State, was a surprise starter against Houston.
He lasted just long enough to give Dallas Cowboys fans flashbacks.
Rolling to his right on Tech’s first play under pressure, he appeared to be trying to throw the ball away. But, shades of Dak Prescott’s failed throw-away interception in the Cowboys’ loss to the Giants, the ball came down in the hands of Houston’s Will James, who got a foot down near midfield. The Cougars capitalized on the turnover, driving to their first touchdown and a 10-0 lead.
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The gimmick a bust, Castellanos yielded to Hammond, though he did return later to score Tech’s second touchdown on a 3-yard run.
Best-dressed
Texas Tech’s all-black “Let’s Ride” uniforms, in consultation with Patrick Mahomes, and Houston’s “icy-white” road unis drew special recognition from ESPN, which apparently ranks this sort of thing.
The Red Raiders all black unis were trimmed in red and featured Mahomes’ “Gladiator” logo. Also a patch promoting State Farm, Mahomes’ insurance of choice.
“It’s pretty special seeing Texas Tech, adidas and State Farm all come together with my Gladiator logo on this uniform,” the former Red Raider said in a statement.