📰 “Red Raiders Reign: Texas Tech Stuns College Football with Unbeaten Season”…

• 📰 “Red Raiders Reign: Texas Tech Stuns College Football with Unbeaten Season”…
• In what’s being called the most electrifying run in Big 12 history, the Texas Tech Red Raiders football team has stunned the nation, going 9-0 with three games left, including two road wins against Top 10 teams. Under the gritty leadership of second-year QB Jaxson Grady, a former walk-on turned Heisman favorite, Tech has emerged as the Cinderella story of the college football world.

After toppling #3 Oklahoma State 38-35 in Stillwater thanks to a last-second 62-yard field goal by freshman phenom Leo Vega, Tech fans stormed Broadway Street in Lubbock in celebration. Coach Joey McGuire, whose job was under scrutiny last season, has now become a legend.

“We’ve got Lubbock dreaming again,” McGuire said post-game, drenched in Gatorade. “But this isn’t a dream—it’s our new standard.”

🔴 Key Highlights of the Season:
• Jaxson Grady: 2,985 passing yards, 31 TDs, 4 INTs
• RB Kylan Ross: 1,101 rushing yards, 12 TDs
• WR Zayden “Skyline” Watts: 16 receiving TDs (school record)
• Defense: National leaders in takeaways with 21 total

🚨 NIL Revolution

In a groundbreaking twist, Texas Tech’s NIL collective “Matador Vault” signed the entire starting lineup to a $5 million bonus pool if they made the College Football Playoff. Sources report backup QB Trevis Lang used his share to fund a burrito truck that now parks outside Jones AT&T Stadium during games—named “Red Raider Wraps.”

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🏟️ The Road Ahead:

Tech is ranked #2 in the CFP Poll, behind only Georgia. A showdown with #5 Texas at home on November 9 could decide the Big 12 title and playoff fate. ESPN’s College GameDay is already confirmed for Lubbock.

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🗣️ Fan Buzz:
• “I was born in ‘92. I’ve never seen anything like this. Never thought I’d cry watching Tech beat Bama, but here we are.” — @RaiderFaithful77
• “Grady is the next Mahomes but faster.” — Lubbock local radio

🏐 Softball: Top-Tier Recruitment Continues
• Reese Atwood & Nathan Nelson Deny Transfer Tampering
Texas Tech’s NIL group, the Matador Club, was reportedly involved in tampering discussions with Reese Atwood (Texas). Both Atwood and former coach Nathan Nelson have called the claims false and emphasized no official approaches were made  .
• Five Elite Transfers Join the Program
Alongside extending ace NiJaree Canady’s deal beyond $1 million, Texas Tech added five standout players: Kaitlyn Terry, Taylor Pannell, Jasmyn Burns, Mia Williams, and Jackie Lis—each ranked among the top 30 in the portal .

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💰 NIL & Finances: A Collegiate Pro-Level Budget

Texas Tech has fully merged its Red Raider and Matador Clubs to create a single funding platform. They’re raising approximately $14 million annually—supporting an overall athletic payroll projected at $55 million, rivaling some pro franchises .

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🏃 Track & Field: All-American Farewell

Shelby Frank concluded her Red Raider career with a hallmarked performance at the NCAA Championships, bringing home another All‑American honor and helping the women’s team finish 12th overall .

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🏀 Men’s Basketball: Summer Moves

Head coach Grant McCasland reported that the team is back on campus for summer workouts and will soon head to Colorado. The core remains focused on building toward a national title after last season’s Elite Eight run .

Additionally, the Big 12 has set an 18-game conference schedule for 2025–26, including home-and-home matchups with BYU, Colorado, and Houston .

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🏈 Football: Staff Changes & 2025 Outlook
• The offseason brought staff turnover: both defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter and secondary coach Marcel Yates were dismissed after allowing the worst passing defense in the Big 12 in 2024. New defensive coordinator Shiel Wood and offensive coordinator Mack Leftwich are on board for the 2025 campaign .
• Analyst predictions highlight the Oct 18 away game at Arizona State as a pivotal matchup to measure Tech’s national competitiveness .

🏈 Football Achievements
• Texas Bowl Victory (December 2022):
Texas Tech defeated Ole Miss 42–25 in the 2022 TaxAct Texas Bowl, finishing the season with an 8–5 record. It was their first bowl victory since 2013, signaling strong momentum under head coach Joey McGuire.
• First Winning Conference Record Since 2009:
In 2022, the Red Raiders finished 5–4 in Big 12 play, marking their first winning conference record in over a decade.
• Top Recruiting Efforts:
Under McGuire, Texas Tech has significantly improved recruiting, with the 2023 and 2024 classes ranked among the best in school history, including multiple 4-star prospects.

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🏀 Basketball Achievements (Men’s and Women’s)

Men’s Basketball
• 2019 NCAA National Championship Game Appearance:
Texas Tech made history by reaching the national championship game in 2019, narrowly losing to Virginia in overtime.
• Consistent Tournament Appearances:
The Red Raiders have been a regular presence in March Madness, known for their elite defensive style.

Women’s Basketball
• The Lady Raiders have seen progress under new coaching, and continue building toward postseason competitiveness in a tough Big 12.

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⚾ Baseball Excellence
• College World Series Appearances:
Texas Tech baseball, under coach Tim Tadlock, has become a national powerhouse, making four CWS appearances since 2014 (2014, 2016, 2018, and 2019).
• Big 12 Championships:
The Red Raiders have claimed multiple Big 12 regular-season and tournament titles in recent years.

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🎓 Academic & Facility Achievements
• Jones AT&T Stadium Expansion:
A major renovation project is underway to expand and modernize the football stadium, aiming to boost fan experience and recruiting appeal.
• Strong Academic Progress Rate (APR):
Tech athletics teams continue to post strong academic performances, with high APR scores across major sports.

 

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Official Mission Statement (Athletics Department)

“To educate, serve, and grow fearless champions through a culture of integrity, excellence, and tradition.”

This mission drives all aspects of the Texas Tech University Athletic Department, from recruiting and coaching to community outreach and academic support.

🔴 Core Objectives of the Red Raiders’ Mission

1. 

Academic Excellence

• Ensure student-athletes graduate and succeed in life beyond sports.
• Offer academic resources such as tutoring, mentoring, and career counseling.
• Maintain strong Academic Progress Rate (APR) scores and uphold NCAA academic standards.

2. 

Competitive Success

• Build programs capable of competing for championships in the Big 12 and nationally.
• Emphasize strong leadership, teamwork, and sportsmanship.
• Invest in top-tier coaching and state-of-the-art athletic facilities.

3. 

Student-Athlete Development

• Promote mental health, leadership training, and life skills development.
• Encourage a well-rounded college experience, with a balance between athletics, academics, and community.

4. 

Integrity and Compliance

• Operate with transparency, fairness, and NCAA compliance in all sports.
• Uphold the values of honesty, responsibility, and respect.

5. 

Community Engagement

• Involve student-athletes in service projects, youth programs, and Red Raider outreach initiatives.
• Strengthen the bond between Texas Tech and the wider Lubbock and West Texas communities.

🏟️ Vision for the Future

• Transform Texas Tech into a perennial contender in every sport.
• Expand facilities like Jones AT&T Stadium and Dan Law Field at Rip Griffin Park.
• Lead the Big 12 in athletic innovation and student-athlete care.