DALLAS (FWAA) – The Texas Tech Red Raiders took over first place in the Big 12 Conference with an emphatic 29-7 win over No. 7 BYU that was a dominating defensive show. For its rise to the moment playing in its first top-10 matchup since 2008 and in front of a national audience, Texas Tech earned the Pop-Tarts Crazy Good Team of the Week for games the weekend of Nov. 8, as selected by the All-America Committee of the Football Writers Association of America.
This is the sixth time for Texas Tech (9-1, 6-1 in the Big 12) to receive the honor from the FWAA. The Red Raiders earned it once last season as well, almost in the same week, winning 23-22 at No. 10 Iowa State during the Week 10 weekend of Nov. 2, 2024. Its previous honor to that came in 2012.
Stone Harrington kicked a school-record five field goals and Jacob Rodriguez led the defense with two takeaways and 14 overall tackles as the Red Raiders held the previously-undefeated Cougars to a season-low 255 total yards.
Texas Tech’s ninth win marks its first nine-win season since 2009. The Red Raiders, ranked No. 8 in the initial College Football Playoff rankings, now lead the Big 12 with a 6-1 record. BYU and Cincinnati are just behind at 5-1.
All nine of Texas Tech’s wins have been by wins of 22 points or more this season.
The Red Raiders’ fortunes have turned with their defense. They have gone from 121st in the FBS last season, allowing 34.8 points per game, to fifth at 13.2 going heading into the BYU game and then lowering that to 12.6 following the win. Tech is ninth in the FBS in total defense currently at 269.7 yards per game. BYU gained 255 yards.
Rodriguez’s 14 tackles against BYU mark the second-highest total of his career and his second 14-tackle game of the season. His interception and fumble recovery were keys as Tech’s defense and special teams came up with three takeaways against a BYU team that entered the game third in the FBS in turnover margin at plus-1.25. The Cougars had only six first downs in a scoreless first half and only three of their 12 drives on the day crossed midfield, the last one with under two minutes left and the game decided.
The Red Raiders continued the shutout into the fourth quarter, marking the fifth time they have blanked an opponent through three quarters. Texas Tech’s scoring margin through three quarters this season is 317-61. The seven points allowed were Texas Tech’s fewest against an AP Top-10 opponent since it beat No. 8 Texas A&M, 14-7, 1995, in what was then a Big 12 game.
Tech quarterback Behren Morton passed for 216 yards and had a 9-yard touchdown toss to Caleb Douglas while Cameron Dickey kept the offense moving with 121 rushing yards and a 1-yard score. Harrington kicked field goals of 47, 39, 34, 29 and 27 yards.
Texas Tech hosts UCF (4-5, 1-5) on Saturday in another Big 12 matchup at 3:30 p.m. ET on FOX.
Since 2002, the FWAA has named a National Team of the Week. Coming into the 2025 season, 284 teams have been honored, including 101 different Division I programs. Each honored team will receive a custom Pop-Tarts "care package" along with a hand-crafted game ball made in America by Dallas-based Big Game USA, the nation's leading manufacturer of custom footballs.
The other National Team of the Week nominee for the weekend of Nov. 8 were:
- California (6-4): Jacob De Jesus caught a 3-yard touchdown pass from Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele on fourth down during Cal’s first possession of overtime to knock off No. 14 Louisville on the road, 29-26. The winning catch gave De Jesus 16 catches for the evening, tying Geoff McArthur's school record from 2003. It was Cal’s first victory over a ranked opponent since 2020 and their first win over a top-15 foe since 2019. Sagapolutele was 30-for-47 for 323 yards, each a career-high.
- Wake Forest (6-3): The Demon Deacons earned their highest-ranked road win since 1979 with a 16-9 victory at No. 12 Virginia. Wake Forest gave Virginia its first ACC loss and held the Cavaliers out of the end zone for the first time since 2022, buoyed by three takeaways. Special teams also played a part with an 88-yard punt return touchdown from Carlos Hernandez in the second quarter. The win made head coach Jake Dickert the first coach in Wake Forest history to lead the program to a bowl berth in his inaugural season.
ABOUT KELLANOVA
Kellanova (NYSE: K) is a leader in global snacking, international cereal and noodles, and North America frozen foods with a legacy stretching back more than 100 years. Powered by differentiated brands including Pringles®, Cheez-It®, Pop-Tarts®, Kellogg's Rice Krispies Treats®, RXBAR®, Eggo®, MorningStar Farms®, Special K®, Coco Pops®, and more, Kellanova's vision is to become the world's best-performing snacks-led powerhouse, unleashing the full potential of our differentiated brands and our passionate people. Our net sales for 2024 were $13 billion. For more detailed information about our commitments, our approach to achieving these goals, and methodology, please visit our website at kellanova.com.
ABOUT FLORIDA CITRUS SPORTS
FCS is a not-for-profit event management organization dedicated to positively impacting the Orlando region while enhancing the quality of life in Central Florida through world-class events, including the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl, the Pop-Tarts Bowl, the Florida Blue Florida Classic, the Camping World Kickoff and the FC Series. For more information, visit FloridaCitrusSports.com.
Founded in 1941, the Football Writers Association of America consists of 1,100 men and women who cover college football. The membership includes journalists, broadcasters and publicists, as well as key executives in all the areas that involve the game. The FWAA works to govern areas that include game-day operations, major awards and its annual All-America team. For more information about the FWAA and its award programs, contact Steve Richardson at tiger@fwaa.com.