The Texas Tech football team hosted its annual spring game on Saturday afternoon, back at Jones AT&T Stadium for the first time since 2022. The Red Raiders worked through a nearly 90-minute scrimmage on an April afternoon that more resembled a fall Saturday with temperatures hovering in the 50s in front of approximately 3,000 fans and a sold-out Gary Petersen Field Club crowd.
"I just want to say thank you for all the Red Raiders that came out to Jones AT&T stadium and how fun it was," head coach Joey McGuire said. "I just can't thank Red Raider Nation enough. It was a really good crowd out there today. I am excited about this team, but we have a long way to go to where we need to be. The great thing is these guys really want to be special and I know they'll put the work in."
In the first half, which accounted for two of the Red Raiders' three scrimmage periods, the defense stood tall and kept the offense from scoring in all but two series. The incoming defensive transfer class flexed its muscles. Lee Hunter and A.J. Holmes Jr. made their marks on the defensive line, forcing sacks. Romello Height on the outside had a third-down pass breakup, while in the secondary, Amier Boyd was credited with a pass breakup.
Will Hammond and Mitch Griffis both threw a touchdown pass in the first half, accounting for the two scores. Terrance Carter Jr. had two catches overall on three targets for 30 yards in the first half and caught an 11-yard touchdown pass from Hammond. Price Morgan reeled in three catches on five targets for 33 yards in the first half, including a 14-yard TD catch from Griffis to close out the opening half.
At halftime, the following team awards were handed out from the 2024 season:
· Donny Anderson Sportsmanship Award – Jacob Rodriguez
· J.T. King Award For Most Improved Offensive Player – Coy Eakin
· J.T. King Award For Most Improved Defensive Player – Charles Esters III
· Dare To Be Great Award – Wesley Smith
· Clint Ramsey Academic Effort Award – Jack Burgess
· Pete Cawthon Memorial Team MVP Award – Tahj Brooks
· Dell Morgan Memorial Courage Award – Mason Tharp
· E.J. Holub Double Tough Award – Caleb Rogers
Brooks, who became Texas Tech's all-time leading rusher after consecutive 1,500-yard rushing seasons, becomes the sixth two-time winner of the Team MVP award, joining a prestigious list that includes the likes of James Gray, 1987, 1989, Zach Thomas (1994-95), Montae Reagor (1997-98), Kevin Curtis (2000-01) and Kliff Kingsbury (2000-02).
"It's really cool," said McGuire about honoring the 2024 team. "Tahj (Brooks) that was a cool moment out there. Once again, just thank you to all the fans and we really appreciate that young man and what he's done for this university."
The second half opened with the offensive and defensive lines running practice drills on the southside of stadium in front of the sold out field club while 7-on-7 drills ensued on the north side of the stadium before entering into the final scrimmage period that put the team in live tackling situations, starting each series from 25 yards out, dubbed the redzone lockout period.
The offense found greater success in the final frame, scoring on four of its six opportunities. It opened the session with a 27-yard field goal by Upton Bellenfant. Griffis scrambled outside the pocket, finding Leyton Stone for a 25-yard touchdown, just outside the grasp of defensive back Oliver Miles III. Quinten Joyner punched one in from five yards away, while Cameron Dickey ended the spring scrimmage with a 16-yard rushing touchdown.
Texas Tech will now turn its attention to spring finals and summer workouts before opening preseason camp for the 2025 campaign in late July. The 2025 season opener is Aug. 30 against Arkansas Pine-Bluff, back inside Jones AT&T Stadium.
