{"id":44527,"date":"2025-11-11T06:55:23","date_gmt":"2025-11-11T06:55:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/44527\/"},"modified":"2025-11-11T06:55:23","modified_gmt":"2025-11-11T06:55:23","slug":"no-8-texas-tech-ucf-square-off-saturday-on-senior-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/44527\/","title":{"rendered":"No. 8 Texas Tech, UCF square off Saturday on Senior Day"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>UCF AT #8\u00a0TEXAS TECH<br \/>&#13;<br \/>\nLubbock, Texas\u00a0| Jones AT&amp;T\u00a0Stadium (60,229)<br \/>&#13;<br \/>\nNov. 15, 2025<br \/>&#13;<br \/>\nFOX\u00a0| 2:30 p.m. CDT<\/p>\n<p>GAME LINKS<\/p>\n<p>LUBBOCK, Texas\u00a0\u2013 No. 8 Texas Tech (9-1, 6-1 Big 12) will look to secure its seventh 10-win season in school history on Saturday when hosting UCF (4-5, 1-5 Big 12)\u00a0in its regular-season\u00a0home finale at Jones AT&amp;T Stadium. The Red Raiders enter their Senior Day matchup against the Knights sporting their best start to a season since 2008, placing the Red Raiders deep in the Big 12 title race. A victory on Saturday would only strengthen Texas Tech&#8217;s Big 12 Championship Game and College Football Playoff\u00a0aspirations, as it is one of three teams tied atop the Big 12 standings with one loss, along with BYU (5-1) and Cincinnati (5-1).<\/p>\n<p>The television broadcast will feature play-by-play commentator Tim Brando and analyst Devin Gardner\u00a0in the booth, while Josh Sims will be reporting from the sideline. In addition to traditional outlets, fans can access the game from their mobile or streaming device by using the FOX Sports app.<\/p>\n<p>Texas Tech Sports Network will also broadcast the game over 46 affiliates throughout the state of Texas and New Mexico, as Brian Jensen will have the call alongside analyst John Harris and sideline reporter Chris Level. The radio broadcast can also be heard on SiriusXM channel 83, as well as on the Varsity app.<\/p>\n<p>LIMITED TICKETS AVAILABLE FOR REGULAR-SEASON HOME FINALE\u00a0&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;\n<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n\tAs of Monday afternoon, fewer than 500 single-game tickets remained available for purchase for the Red Raiders&#8217;\u00a0Nov. 15 contest versus UCF.&#13;<br \/>\n\tEach of the Red Raiders&#8217;\u00a0six previous home games\u00a0this season sold out of their primary ticket inventory as Texas Tech is on pace to set the school record for average home attendance, besting the 58,934 average set in 2014.&#13;<br \/>\n\tTickets can be purchased online at\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/texastech.evenue.net\/cgi-bin\/ncommerce3\/SEGetEventInfo?ticketCode=GS:TTU:F24:F01:&amp;linkID=ttu&amp;dataAccId=650&amp;locale=en_US&amp;siteId=ev_ttu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">TexasTech.com<\/a>\u00a0or by speaking to a ticket sales representative at 806-742-TECH.&#13;<br \/>\n\tFans are encouraged to visit SeatGeek for tickets for games that the Texas Tech Athletics Department has previously announced as a sellout.&#13;<br \/>\n\tTexas Tech sold out of season tickets for the third consecutive season in early May as Red Raider fans purchased more than 33,000 season passes for the 2025 campaign.&#13;<\/p>\n<p>TEXAS TECH ANNOUNCES CHANGES TO GAMEDAY POLICIES<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n\tTexas Tech Athletics announced on Oct. 20 changes to its gameday fan policies moving forward, as the throwing of objects inside Jones AT&amp;T Stadium \u2013 including tortillas \u2013 will result in an immediate fan ejection and possible revocation of future ticket privileges for the remainder of the season.&#13;<br \/>\n\tAs a result of this policy change, Texas Tech Athletics is directing fans to no longer participate in the tortilla toss tradition at any point in the game, including the opening kickoff.\u00a0&#8220;We have the best fans in the country who impact the game each and every Saturday through the atmosphere inside Jones AT&amp;T Stadium,&#8221; Director of Athletics <a href=\"https:\/\/texastech.com\/staff-directory\/kirby-hocutt\/261\" rel=\"smarttag nofollow noopener\" rev=\"261\" target=\"_blank\">Kirby Hocutt<\/a> said prior to the Red Raiders&#8217; game on Oct. 25 versus Oklahoma State. &#8220;We have three important home games remaining this season. Coach McGuire has said multiple times this team&#8217;s ultimate goal is to play in AT&amp;T Stadium in Arlington for a Big 12 title. I am confident our fans will continue to support our team and coaches with their passionate support and energy to accomplish this goal. We cannot risk penalizing our team by throwing tortillas.&#8221;&#13;<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Jacob Rodriguez\" height=\"888\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/MM_FBvsBYU_251108-58.jpg\" style=\"display: inline-block;\" width=\"1333\"\/><br \/>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>THE NATION&#8217;S MOST DOMINANT TEAM<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n\tTexas Tech is the only team in the country with multiple wins over teams ranked in the top 15 of the initial College Football Playoff rankings after last weekend&#8217;s 29-7 victory over No. 7 BYU. It was Texas Tech&#8217;s ninth victory by 20 or more points this season, which easily leads the FBS and matches the most in school history.&#13;<br \/>\n\tTexas Tech currently ranks second nationally in average margin of victory as the Red Raiders are outscoring opponents in wins to the tune of 33.2 points this season, which trails only Utah (36.4) among schools with at least six wins.&#13;<\/p>\n<p>GET HIM TO NYC: J-ROD FOR HEISMAN<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n\tTalk about Heisman moments \u2014 <a href=\"https:\/\/texastech.com\/sports\/football\/roster\/jacob-rodriguez\/13749\" rel=\"smarttag nofollow noopener\" rev=\"13749\" target=\"_blank\">Jacob Rodriguez&#8217;<\/a> highlight-reel interception last weekend against No. 7 BYU might just be one that earns the senior linebacker a trip to New York City. Rodriguez, who added 14 tackles and a fumble recovery in the top-10 victory, has now been responsible for eight takeaways in Big 12 play alone.&#13;<br \/>\n\tHe joins former Buffalo standout Khalil Mack (2013) as the only FBS players since 2005 to record at least five forced fumbles, three interceptions and two fumble recoveries in a single season.&#13;<\/p>\n<p>RED RAIDERS GOING FOR WIN NO. 10<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n\tTexas Tech will be looking to reach 10 wins for the seventh time in program history and the first time since 2008 on Saturday with a win over UCF. The Red Raiders finished with 10 wins during the 1932, 1938, and 1976 seasons and then had 11 victories during the 1953, 1973, and 2008 campaigns. Both totals are in reach as Texas Tech&#8217;s final two opponents in UCF and West Virginia, are a combined 8-11 this season and 3-10 in Big 12 play.&#13;<br \/>\n\tWith a win over the Knights, <a href=\"https:\/\/texastech.com\/sports\/football\/roster\/coaches\/joey-mcguire\/4136\" rel=\"smarttag nofollow noopener\" rev=\"4136\" target=\"_blank\">Joey McGuire<\/a> would become the sixth head coach in program history to lead the Red Raiders to a 10-win season, joining Pete Cawthon (1932, 1938), DeWitt Weaver (1953), Jim Carlen (1973), Steve Sloan (1976) and Mike Leach (2008).&#13;<\/p>\n<p>TEXAS TECH TO HONOR 20-PLUS SENIORS\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n\tTexas Tech will recognize 20-plus seniors prior to kickoff Saturday who will possibly play their final game inside Jones AT&amp;T Stadium.&#13;<br \/>\n\tThe list of seniors being honored this weekend includes several mainstays for the Red Raiders, including quarterback <a href=\"https:\/\/texastech.com\/sports\/football\/roster\/behren-morton\/13738\" rel=\"smarttag nofollow noopener\" rev=\"13738\" target=\"_blank\">Behren Morton<\/a>, linebacker <a href=\"https:\/\/texastech.com\/sports\/football\/roster\/jacob-rodriguez\/13749\" rel=\"smarttag nofollow noopener\" rev=\"13749\" target=\"_blank\">Jacob Rodriguez<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/texastech.com\/sports\/football\/roster\/bryce-ramirez\/13744\" rel=\"smarttag nofollow noopener\" rev=\"13744\" target=\"_blank\">Bryce Ramirez<\/a>, and outside linebacker <a href=\"https:\/\/texastech.com\/sports\/football\/roster\/charles-esters-iii\/13710\" rel=\"smarttag nofollow noopener\" rev=\"13710\" target=\"_blank\">Charles Esters III<\/a>, among others.&#13;<br \/>\n\tTexas Tech&#8217;s Senior Day recognition will take place prior to kickoff Saturday as each Red Raider will be joined on the field by his family as well as head coach <a href=\"https:\/\/texastech.com\/sports\/football\/roster\/coaches\/joey-mcguire\/4136\" rel=\"smarttag nofollow noopener\" rev=\"4136\" target=\"_blank\">Joey McGuire<\/a> and his wife, Debbie.&#13;<\/p>\n<p>NUMBERS TO KNOW<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n\t1:\u00a0Texas Tech is the only team to rank in the top five in the FBS this season in scoring offense, scoring defense and takeaways per game. Florida was the last team to do so in 2008.&#13;<br \/>\n\t3:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/texastech.com\/sports\/football\/roster\/behren-morton\/13738\" rel=\"smarttag nofollow noopener\" rev=\"13738\" target=\"_blank\">Behren Morton<\/a> is one of three FBS players this season averaging at least 9.00 yards per attempt and with four or fewer interceptions, joining CJ Carr and Julian Sayin.\u00a0&#13;<br \/>\n\t3:\u00a0Texas Tech has three wins this season over teams with seven or more victories entering this weekend, which leads all teams ranked in the top 10 of the CFP poll currently.\u00a0&#13;<br \/>\n\t7:\u00a0Texas Tech allowed less than 200 passing yards for the seventh time versus BYU as the Red Raiders are now a perfect 7-0 in those games this season.&#13;<br \/>\n\t69:\u00a0Texas Tech enters this weekend with a share of the FBS lead with 69 offensive plays from scrimmage that have gone for 20 or more yards, including 43 through the air.\u00a0&#13;<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Fans Crowd Jones AT&amp;T Stadium \" height=\"952\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/AC_FBvsBYU_251108-3562.jpg\" style=\"display: inline-block;\" width=\"1333\"\/><br \/>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>INSIDE THE SERIES<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n\tThis will be the second-ever meeting between Texas Tech and UCF as the two schools first met late in the 2023 season with the Red Raiders prevailing with a 24-23 victory. UCF also traveled to Jones AT&amp;T Stadium for that matchup as the Red Raiders are not slated to visit Orlando until the 2027 campaign, the final year in the Big 12&#8217;s current four-year scheduling matrix.\u00a0&#13;<br \/>\n\tUCF led 14-0 early before the Red Raiders tied it up at halftime and ultimately won when <a href=\"https:\/\/texastech.com\/sports\/football\/roster\/e-maurion-banks\/13694\" rel=\"smarttag nofollow noopener\" rev=\"13694\" target=\"_blank\">E&#8217;Maurion Banks<\/a> blocked a game-tying extra point with 5:30 remaining in regulation.\u00a0&#13;<br \/>\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/texastech.com\/sports\/football\/roster\/tahj-brooks\/12985\" rel=\"smarttag nofollow noopener\" rev=\"12985\" target=\"_blank\">Tahj Brooks<\/a> ran for 182 yards, a career high at the time, while <a href=\"https:\/\/texastech.com\/sports\/football\/roster\/behren-morton\/13738\" rel=\"smarttag nofollow noopener\" rev=\"13738\" target=\"_blank\">Behren Morton<\/a> threw for two touchdowns to lead Texas Tech to its third consecutive victory to reach bowl eligibility. Brooks scored a 13-yard touchdown to give the Red Raiders a 21-14 lead late in the third quarter, while <a href=\"https:\/\/texastech.com\/sports\/football\/roster\/gino-garcia\/13008\" rel=\"smarttag nofollow noopener\" rev=\"13008\" target=\"_blank\">Gino Garcia<\/a> connected on a 51-yard field goal with 6:13 remaining in regulation. Morton finished with 256 passing yards on 21-of-34 passing.\u00a0&#13;<br \/>\n\tThe Red Raiders are 5-9 all-time against schools from the state of Florida, as this will be the first matchup versus a school from the Sunshine State since the 2023 first meeting against UCF. Prior to that, Texas Tech had not faced a school from the state of Florida since the Red Raiders downed Florida International, 54-21, in 2021.\u00a0&#13;<\/p>\n<p>TEXAS TECH-UCF\u00a0CONNECTIONS<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n\tTexas Tech senior defensive lineman <a href=\"https:\/\/texastech.com\/sports\/football\/roster\/lee-hunter\/13789\" rel=\"smarttag nofollow noopener\" rev=\"13789\" target=\"_blank\">Lee Hunter<\/a> will be more than familiar with UCF after playing the last three seasons with the Knights. Hunter, who earned his bachelor&#8217;s degree in general studies from UCF, combined for 131 tackles, 21.5 tackles for loss, and 5.0 sacks over his three seasons in Orlando. He was a two-time All-Big 12 recipient while at UCF, earning honorable mention accolades as a sophomore in 2023 and then second team honors as a junior a year ago. Hunter had one tackle when facing the Red Raiders in the 2023 matchup against UCF.\u00a0&#13;<br \/>\n\tTexas Tech has four players who hail from the state of Florida in wide receiver <a href=\"https:\/\/texastech.com\/sports\/football\/roster\/roy-alexander\/13923\" rel=\"smarttag nofollow noopener\" rev=\"13923\" target=\"_blank\">Roy Alexander<\/a> (Fort Myers), cornerback <a href=\"https:\/\/texastech.com\/sports\/football\/roster\/dontae-balfour\/13782\" rel=\"smarttag nofollow noopener\" rev=\"13782\" target=\"_blank\">Dontae Balfour<\/a> (Starke), wide receiver <a href=\"https:\/\/texastech.com\/sports\/football\/roster\/reggie-virgil\/13784\" rel=\"smarttag nofollow noopener\" rev=\"13784\" target=\"_blank\">Reggie Virgil<\/a> (Apopka) and offensive lineman <a href=\"https:\/\/texastech.com\/sports\/football\/roster\/hunter-zambrano\/13780\" rel=\"smarttag nofollow noopener\" rev=\"13780\" target=\"_blank\">Hunter Zambrano<\/a> (Weston).\u00a0&#13;<br \/>\n\tAmong the two coaching staffs, Texas Tech offensive line coach <a href=\"https:\/\/texastech.com\/sports\/football\/roster\/coaches\/clay-mcguire\/4143\" rel=\"smarttag nofollow noopener\" rev=\"4143\" target=\"_blank\">Clay McGuire<\/a> will have some familiarity with the defensive scheme on the other side as he and UCF defensive coordinator Alex Grinch were on the same Mike Leach staff at Washington State from 2015-17. Grinch was the defensive coordinator and secondary coach for the Cougars for those three seasons, while McGuire was in a similar role as Washington State&#8217;s offensive line coach. Texas Tech Associate A.D. for football administration, <a href=\"https:\/\/texastech.com\/sports\/football\/roster\/staff\/antonio-huffman\/572\" rel=\"smarttag nofollow noopener\" rev=\"572\" target=\"_blank\">Antonio Huffman<\/a>, was also part of that Washington State staff during that span as Director of Football Operations.&#13;<\/p>\n<p>\u2013 TECH \u2013<br \/>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"UCF AT #8\u00a0TEXAS TECH&#13; Lubbock, Texas\u00a0| Jones AT&amp;T\u00a0Stadium (60,229)&#13; Nov. 15, 2025&#13; FOX\u00a0| 2:30 p.m. CDT GAME LINKS&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":44528,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[168,170,169],"class_list":["post-44527","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-lubbock","tag-lubbock","tag-lubbock-headlines","tag-lubbock-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44527","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=44527"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44527\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/44528"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=44527"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=44527"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=44527"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}