The Houston–Texas Tech football rivalry is a college football rivalry between the University of Houston Cougars and the Texas Tech University Red Raiders. The rivalry dates back to 1951 from the now-defunct Southwest Conference.[2][3]
| First meeting | October 6, 1951 Houston 6, Texas Tech 0 |
|---|---|
| Latest meeting | September 30, 2023 Texas Tech 49, Houston 28 |
| Next meeting | 2025 |
| Statistics | |
| Meetings total | 35 |
| All-time series | Houston leads, 18–16–1[1] |
| Largest victory | Texas Tech, 58–7 (1993) |
| Longest win streak | Houston, 7 (1979–1985) |
| Current win streak | Texas Tech, 6 (2010–present) |
Series history
editHistorically, Texas Tech and Houston are original rivals. After several matchups in the 1950s, the two teams played each other every year from 1976 to 1995, when both schools were part of the now-defunct Southwest Conference.[4] The two teams have had numerous close games over their history, with 14 matchups being decided by 7 points or less (including a tie in 1987). On September 4, 2021, the two met again to play the Texas Kickoff game at NRG Stadium.[5] After the game, several fans broke out into a fight in the stands.[6]
After having received an invitation in September 2021, Houston announced that they would join the Big 12 Conference on July 1, 2023, which meant that the rivalry would resume as a conference game for the first time since the breakup of the Southwest Conference.[7]
Notable games
editNovember 20, 1976: Referred to as "the most important game in Texas Tech history" at the time by SWC personality Dirk West, No. 5 ranked Texas Tech hosted No. 9 ranked Houston with a spot in the Cotton Bowl on the line. The Cougars would pull out a 27–19 victory, holding off a Rodney Allison-led comeback in the 4th quarter with a game-saving interception by defensive back Elvis Bradley.[8][9]
November 25, 1978: Ranked No. 5 in the nation and riding an eight-game win streak, Houston suffered a shock 22–21 upset at Texas Tech thanks to a game-winning two-point conversion pass from Ron Reeves to James Hadnot. It was the Red Raiders' first win over the Cougars since 1959.[10]
September 26, 2009: Playing each other for the first time since 1995 after the breakup of the Southwest Conference, No. 17 Houston came away with a thrilling 29–28 victory over Texas Tech after star quarterback Case Keenum ran for a touchdown with less than a minute remaining in the game.[11]
September 10, 2022: Looking for their first win at Texas Tech since 1990 and needing one more defensive stop on 4th and 20 in overtime, No. 25 Houston gave up a 21-yard pass completion from Donovan Smith to Jerand Bradley on the way to a 33–30 double-overtime loss.[12] Ironically, after the season, Smith would transfer to Houston.[13]
Game results
editRankings are from the AP Poll released prior to the game.
| Houston victories | Texas Tech victories | Tie games |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Notes
editSee also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "Houston Cougars vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders football series history". Winsipedia.
- ^ "University of Houston will join Big 12 in 2023 after agreeing to exit fee with AAC". houstonchronicle.com. June 10, 2022.
- ^ "Football History vs University of Houston". texastech.com.
- ^ Duarte, Joseph (September 7, 2022). "For UH, a rivalry renewed with Texas Tech comes with a side of flying tortillas". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved August 25, 2024.
- ^ "Houston and Texas Tech to Square Off in 2021 Texas Kickoff". espnevents.com. August 21, 2020. Retrieved August 25, 2024.
- ^ "Video: Wild Fight At Saturday Night College Football Game". thespun.com. September 5, 2021. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
- ^ Barron, David (June 10, 2022). "UH to join Big 12 sooner than expected after AAC exit fee agreement". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
- ^ "Houston Upsets Texas Tech, 27 to 19, And Takes Over Leadership of S.W.C." New York Times. November 21, 1976.
- ^ "An Inauspicious Start". Texas Sports Hall of Fame. October 6, 2015.
- ^ "Retro Red Raiders: Houston '78". 247sports.com. June 6, 2011. Retrieved August 26, 2024.
- ^ "Houston Rallies Past Texas Tech, Bolstering B.C.S. Hopes". New York Times. September 27, 2009.
- ^ "UH falls to Texas Tech in 2OT heartbreaker". Houston Chronicle. September 10, 2022.
- ^ Helwick, Steve (December 21, 2022). "Texas Tech QB Donovan Smith announces transfer to Houston". Underdog Dynasty. Retrieved March 16, 2023.