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MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Texas Tech football teams have won four consecutive bowl appearances only once, and that was over a five-year period from 2009-13. Tech teams have never capped four consecutive seasons with a bowl victory.
That distinction and a nine-win season, which Tech teams haven’t accomplished since the Mike Leach era, are what’s at stake when the Red Raiders take on an old Southwest Conference rival in the Liberty Bowl.
“I think it’s a pretty big deal,” Tech coach Joey McGuire said Thursday. “Tomorrow’s a big marker to push this program forward, push this culture forward, what we want to do.”
Tech (8-4) and Arkansas (6-6) square off at 6 p.m. Friday at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium. ESPN has the telecast.
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Both teams have won the Liberty Bowl recently, Tech beating Mississippi State 34-7 three years ago and Arkansas edging Kansas 55-53 in triple overtime two years ago.
Texas Tech football, Arkansas missing many major players for Liberty Bowl
The 66th edition is wide-open for new stars to emerge because the game is more noteworthy for who’s not playing than for who is. The Razorbacks could be without four starters who have declared for the NFL draft and seven who have had their names in the NCAA transfer portal. That cast includes Southeastern Conference receptions and yardage leader Andrew Armstrong, team rushing leader Ja’Quinden Jackson, team sacks leader Landon Jackson and three starting offensive linemen.
Tech’s without quarterback Behren Morton (shoulder surgery) and wide receiver Josh Kelly (opt out), both top 10 in the FBS in major statistical categories, and both its coordinators for the past three seasons.
Texas Tech…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/texas-tech-football-arkansas-pit-231320023.html
Author : Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
Publish date : 2024-12-26 23:13:00
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