A Promise Kept: Texas Tech Wins First Big 12 Championship in Program History
Texas Tech didn’t hide from reality this season. They spent big. They invested heavily. They were unapologetic about the resources poured into this roster. They knew what it would take to compete for, and win, a Big 12 championship.
And they did it. They won.
Players hear the narratives. They get the questions every time new national media is in town, and it’s fine. They get it, they understand it and they don’t back down from it. So when one media member asked about the perception that Tech is “the best team money can buy,” star linebacker Jacob Rodriguez grinned and fired back:
“If we are going to buy a team, why not buy the best?”
But inside the locker room? That’s never been the story.
The money built the roster.
The people built the team.
And no one explained that dynamic better than the players themselves.
Coy Eakin, a former walk-on who didn’t receive a major offer until after his senior year at Stephenville High School said the outside conversation has never been the players experience.
“There’s a lot of money being thrown around, whatever, but it doesn’t feel like that at all. We walk in, it doesn’t matter how much you make. If you don’t make a dime or if you make the most on the team… we are all happy someone scores. It doesn’t matter who it is.”
Or as Eakin finished his comments off with,
“The play doesn’t care who makes it.”
To which his teammates nodded along before fifth-year senior quarterback and Lubbock native Behren Morton added his own perspective. A player that watched McGuire piece the roster together while constantly reinforcing the culture behind it over the years.
“You know, he told me this offseason, ‘We’re going to go get some guys. We’re going to go win this thing.’ And when he got hired four years ago, he told me, ‘Hey, Behren, just trust me.’ And I have ever since that day. When he said we’re going to go get these guys, I said, ‘Let’s go, Coach. Let’s build this culture.’ And we all did. Everybody bought in. There was no selfish, no ‘I’m getting this amount of money,’ no ‘I’ve got one year left so this season is about me.’ None of that. It hasn’t been that at all in the locker room. Guys just want to win football games at the end of the day.”
McGuire himself pointed to the players who stayed through the build. Jacob Rodriguez could’ve declared for the NFL Draft. Ben Roberts pledged loyalty years ago. John Curry grew up in Lubbock and became an early cultural anchor.
And just like those players, the fans stayed. They’ve waited for this, prayed for this and on Saturday many cried for this as the confetti fell around the team surrounded by a packed out AT&T Stadium that made Arlington feel like home.
“I think this town deserves championships to be brought back home,” Morton said.
Doing just that was something Morton and McGuire talked about back in June when the two told each other they would walk off this field as Big 12 champions together. Two guys who have been through a lot, taken hits both on and off the field and remained committed to finishing what they started. When the final seconds ticked away, they found each other and kept the promise they made months ago.
“We found each other and we both got emotional” said Morton on the moment. “It’s been a crazy, crazy ride. Spent all five years at Texas Tech and I just love this university and I love everything it stands for.”
Though getting to that moment wasn’t easy. BYU struck first with a 90-yard touchdown drive on their first possession, putting Texas Tech in an early hole. But the Red Raiders responded the same way they have all season. A field goal, a seven-play touchdown drive and another field goal pushed them into a 13–7 halftime lead.
Then their vaunted defense took over. Texas Tech forced four turnovers, including two interceptions from Ben Roberts who became the first player in Big 12 Championship Game history with multiple picks. The offense turned that into 21 unanswered in the second half, and 34 total, while holding BYU to just 110 total yards over the final three quarters to win 34-7.
“I’m so proud of this team, proud of the way we played today,” said McGuire. “And, man, I can’t wait to see where the CFP puts us tomorrow.”
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