Holly Rowe is dealing with a painful personal loss even as her name sits at the center of a messy college football moment.
Rowe, the longtime ESPN sideline reporter, was already pulled into a wave of attention after Texas’ comeback win over Ohio State last Saturday. The controversy started when Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian walked away from an on-field interview with Rowe, and internet users then turned that clip into a violent AI-generated video showing Sarkisian slapping her. The situation grew again on Monday when Texas quarterback Arch Manning was asked about fan edits, laughed during the press conference, and later apologized for his reaction.
Against that backdrop, Rowe shared heartbreaking news on Instagram: her mother has died. She wrote that her “beautiful Mother passed away peacefully” and described Diane Buck Rowe-Gandre as “elegant, smart, and strong.”
In the same message, she urged followers, “If your Mom is still living, give her a call or hug today.” Rowe also said the family “really thought we had more time” together.
The family later held a private graveside service. Rowe then posted again on X to honor her mother, saying, “We buried my beautiful Mother today.”
She added that the family “honored her with the things she loves most” and listed butterflies, purple colors, music, and Dr. Pepper as part of the service.
She closed with, “Love you, Momma. You raised an amazing family.”
Fans responded with messages of sympathy and support, including prayers, condolences, and notes of love for Rowe and her family.
It remains unknown whether Rowe plans to take time away.
In Other News...
Texas Techs Place In The New Top 25 Feels Bigger Now
Ole Miss win over LSU on Saturday rippled well beyond the SEC, and it gave the latest AP Top 25 a sharper look for teams trying to measure where they really stand. The Rebels moved all the way up to No. 4 after the 32-24 victory, while LSU slid to No. 10, and the rest of the league shuffled around them with Florida checking in at No. 21 and Mississippi State at No. 24.
For Texas Tech, the bigger takeaway is how crowded and volatile the middle of the poll feels right now. Oklahoma dropped out despite winning, SMU and Houston both saw movement after their recent games, and every weekly change only adds weight to where the Red Raiders landed in the new ranking. In a poll this unsettled, being inside it matters, but staying there is going to take another clean answer on the field. [Read more 🡒]
Big 12 Race Is Already Taking Shape Around Houston
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Around the league, there has already been enough movement to suggest this race may not stay tidy for long. West Virginia picked up a notable non-conference win over Virginia, Cincinnati and UCF both flipped halftime deficits into victories, and Arizona State handled Kansas in the first FBS game in London despite an uneven offensive showing. For Texas Tech, the bigger question now is whether its early position is a real foothold in the standings or just the opening act of a longer climb. [Read more 🡒]
Texas Tech Suddenly Has Company In A Big 12 Rankings Fight
Week 3 brought a little more clutter to the Big 12s upper tier, and Texas Tech is now sharing the spotlight with a few familiar names. Four league teams are in the latest AP Top 25, with BYU surging to No. 9 after beating Colorado State, while Utah, Houston and the Red Raiders all stayed in the poll. West Virginia is also lurking just outside, drawing votes and inching closer to a ranking of its own.
For Texas Tech, that means the early-season conversation around the Big 12 is starting to feel crowded in a hurry. The Red Raiders are still in the mix, but with BYUs rise and Utah and Houston holding their spots, every week is beginning to matter a little more for anyone trying to stay relevant in the national picture. [Read more 🡒]