Mateen Ibirogba’s third-quarter sack did more than pad Texas Tech’s defensive total in Boulder. It also pushed the Red Raiders’ season sack tally to 11 and kept the Quarterback S.A.C.K. effort rolling for Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Southwest.
Texas Tech’s defense was at its best in the 29-7 win at Colorado, and Ibirogba’s hit came at a key moment. With 7:32 left in the third quarter, Colorado faced second-and-10 when Ibirogba brought down quarterback Isaac Wilson at the Texas Tech 47-yard line for a two-yard loss.
That play helped flip the night. On the next snap, Wilson was intercepted by safety Malik Esqeurra at the TTU21, setting up Texas Tech’s first touchdown drive.
Will Hammond finished it with an 11-yard touchdown pass to tight end Terrance Carter, Jr., giving the Red Raiders a 12-7 lead, their first of the game. Texas Tech never trailed again.
The Red Raiders are idle this week, then return home to face Arizona State for Homecoming at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17.
Fans can still donate for each Texas Tech sack through the Quarterback S.A.C.K. program, with seven games left and potentially more in the postseason. For more than 25 years, Texas Tech Athletics has worked with the Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Southwest on the fundraiser, with supporters pledging any dollar amount for every sack the defense records.
The money supports families staying at the Ronald McDonald House in Lubbock, which serves as a home away from home for parents and children getting medical care. Families with newborns in the NICU, children receiving cancer treatment, and others needing care can also use Ronald McDonald Family Rooms inside Covenant Children’s and UMC Children’s for snacks, showers, laundry, coffee and other basic comforts.
In Other News...
Jacob Rodriguez Is Giving Texas Tech Fans A New NFL Story To Follow
Jacob Rodriguez has become one of the early surprises worth tracking for Texas Tech fans, and he is doing it in a role that usually takes time for a rookie to earn. The former Red Raider middle linebacker has piled up 46 tackles through four games for the Miami Dolphins, good for second in the NFL, and he led the team with 18 stops in a recent game against the Minnesota Vikings.
What makes the start even more notable is the trust Miami has already placed in him. Rodriguez has been the only rookie wearing the green dot helmet, a sign he is handling the defensive play calls, and he is doing it while sharing a roster with other Texas Tech alumni such as linebacker Jordyn Brooks and wide receiver Caleb Douglas. Douglas is currently sidelined by injury, but Rodriguezs rise gives Red Raiders fans another NFL storyline to keep an eye on. [Read more 🡒]
Texas Tech Homecoming Just Got Bigger For An Unbeaten Red Raiders Team
Texas Techs homecoming date with Arizona State now has an even bigger stage. The Oct. 17 game in Lubbock will kick off at 2:30 p.m. and air on FOX, giving the Red Raiders a national spotlight for a matchup that was already shaping up to draw plenty of attention.
The timing comes as Texas Tech keeps climbing in the polls, moving up to No. 11 in the AP Poll and No. 9 in the US LBM Coaches Poll. Add in an 11-game home winning streak and a sold-out crowd already locked in, and homecoming is set up as one of the marquee Saturdays on the Red Raiders schedule. [Read more 🡒]
Colorado Fans Can Feel The Pressure Building Around Isaac Wilson
The Buffaloes came out of their 29-7 loss to No. 12 Texas Tech with more questions than answers on offense, and Isaac Wilson was front and center in the postgame discussion. Colorados quarterback took responsibility for the struggles after throwing for 290 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions, a line that reflected both his volume and the mistakes that kept the Buffaloes from building anything sustainable against a ranked opponent.
Deion Sanders didnt name the spot directly, but he said there was a problem at one position and made it clear the issue deserved attention even as he praised the defenses effort. With Colorados skid continuing and the offense still searching for stability, the pressure is only growing around Wilson and the role hes being asked to fill. [Read more 🡒]