Alamo Bowl opponents have long history dating back to 1940.

By Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2020 All Rights Reserved

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS (December 29, 2020) When the No. 20 Texas Longhorns (6-3, 5-3 Big 12) take on the Colorado Buffaloes (4-1, 3-1 Pac-12) on Tuesday evening December 29, it will be the 19th time the two former Big 12 foes have faced off since 1940.

The Alamo Bowl will be the first meeting between the two teams since 2009. The Longhorns  holds an 11-7 record all-time against Colorado, including a 2-1 record in neutral-site meetings. 

Texas bested the Buffaloes in the 1975 Bluebonnet Bowl by the score of 38-21, and the 2005 Big 12 Championship Game, 70-3. The Buffaloes were victorious in the 2001 Big 12 Championship Game, winning by the score of 39-37. 

The Longhorns have won seven of the last eight meetings, including  the last five, when Colorado was still a member of the Big 12 Conference. Texas has scored at least 30 points in 13 of their 18 all-time meetings against the Buffaloes, including each of the last seven matchups. 

Alamo Bowl set for Big 12-Pac-12 matchup: Texas vs. Colorado

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2020 All Rights Reserved

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS (December 28, 2020) The 2020 edition of the Valero Alamo Bowl is set for an 8 p.m. CST kickoff at The Alamodome. The No. 20 Texas Longhorns (6-3, 5-3 Big 12) is led by heach coach Tom Herman will face the Colorado Buffaloes (4-1, 3-1 Pac-12), with first-year head coach Karl Dorrell.

 

Herman is in his sixth season overall as a head coach with a career record of 53-22 (.707). He is in his fourth season at Texas with a mark of 31-18 (.633). He won his 50th career game as a head coach in a 27-16 triumph over Baylor on Oct. 24, 2020 and his 30th game at Texas one week later, as the Longhorns bested West Virginia, 17-13, in Austin.

His 30 wins are the fourth-most by a UT coach during his first four seasons at the helm in Austin and has a career mark of 15-10 against top-25 opponents, 6-6 against top-10 foes and 3-3 versus teams ranked in the top five.  Including the 2020 season, Herman has spent 17 of his 23 seasons as a coach in the state of Texas on the collegiate level. 

The 27th head coach in CU history,  Dorrell started 4-0 in his CU coaching career; only Harry Heller (won his first seven in 1894), Willis Kleinholtz (six in 1905), T.W. Mortimer (five in 1900) and Rick Neuheisel (five in 1995) won as many or more to open their CU careers (and Dorrell was OC on Neuheisel’s staff). Dorrell was the sixth CU coach to open 3-0 in conference games, but the first since Jim Yeager in 1941. On Decemeber 22, he was named the Pac-12’s Coach of the Year (presented by Nextiva), the sixth coach to be recognized throughout CU’s history with the honor. 

 Of the 23 new head coaches in 2020, he was the last of the group who was undefeated come Dec. 6.  He is the third CU head coach to lead the Buffs to a bowl game in his first season, joining Neuheisel (’96 Cotton) and Gary Barnett (’99 Insight.com). In addition, he is the first CU coach in his first season to have his team go from unranked to ranked (No. 21 AP, No. 22 USAT/Coaches on Dec. 6; No. 21 CFP on Dec. 8).

Alamo Bowl: Action ON The Sidelines and IN The Stands

By Robert H. Kelly
Copyright 2010 TexSport Publications

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS (January 3, 2010) There was as much excitement on the sidelines and in the stands as there was on the field at the 2010 Valero Alamo Bowl in San Antonio, where Texas Tech faced Michigan State.

Adam James, the Texas Tech inside receiver who is one of the principles in the firing of former Texas Tech head football coach Mike Leach, was on the sidelines and was receiving as much attention as the game.

James did not suit up for the game, but was clearly visible wearing his number 82 jersey and sporting a black stocking cap on his head.

Tech fans showed their displeasure with him; booing was he was both leaving from and returning to the field at halftime. In addition, fans displayed numerous signs and paraphernalia in support of Leach and disdain for James, Tech chancellor Kent Hance, and athletic director Gerald Myers

One man was spotted wearing a hat decorated with pacifiers attached, labeled “Adam James Commemorative Pacifiers." There was also a sign in the crowd with Hance’s last name with a slash through it.

Stickers stating “Fire Myers” were distributed by a gray-haired alumnus and were observed throughout the stands.

There was even a sign in support of Leach and critical of James, stating “Every Successful Pirate Knows Betrayal” hanging proximately behind the Tech bench.

A ten-year old was even spotted wearing a shot taking a shot at James and his family.

The ever popular pirate flags and pirate hats, symbols of support for Leach, were everywhere in the stadium and the parking lot, along with Team Leach shirts and other tributes to their former coach.

If James noticed all the hoopla, he didn’t act as such. He was seen surrounded by two other non-suited up players and two men in red windbreakers. The red clad men were facing the stands, presumably watching for threats directed against James from the stands.

ESPN showed James on the sidelines, but he showed very little awareness of the negativities at the game.

Ruffin McNeill: The NEXT Head Coach at Texas Tech?

(Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography, Copyright 2010 All Rights Reserved)

By Robert H. Kelly
Copyright 2010 Texport Publications

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS (Jaunary 3, 2010) The Texas Tech Red Raiders showed they can win without Mike Leach at the helm.

On Saturday night (actually Sunday morning) the Red Raiders defeated Michigan State 41-31 in the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio.

Texas Tech did not seem fazed over the absence of the coach that got them there. In fact, the team seemed to rally behind interim head coach Ruffin McNeill.

Could it be that won the game for Leach, even though he was not present on the sidelines?

Could it be they won the game because they were playing in their school's 10th straight bowl game?

Could it be they won because that was what they were expected to do?

Could it be they won because Michigan State had a depleted team, due to the suspension of 12 players and the dismissal of two others?

Could it be that they won for McNeill?

People can and will debate the reasons for the the Red Raiders' win over Michigan State and the outcome of the Alamo Bowl for years to come.

One thing is certain; the 2010 edition of the Alamo Bowl was one for the ages.

There was more hoopla at this game since the firing of Leach this past Wednesday.

The ESPN announcers were discussing the absence of Leach and the effect it would have on the players, coaches, and the game.

McNeill and Lincoln Riley, who was calling the offensive plays, did appear nervous, but who would not be if they were trust into the same positions?

McNeill stated in the press conference in San Antonio on Friday that he would be interested in the head coaching position if the opportunity presented itself.

The bottom line is the real reason for Texas Tech's win over Michigan State may never be known.

One thing is certain. Ruffin McNeill submitted his resume tonight for the job as the next head football coach at Texas Tech. The powers that be at Texas Tech can take it or leave it.

Texas Tech's Mike Leach Suspended

(Photo courtesy of Texas Tech Sports Information Department)

By Robert H. Kelly
Copyright 2009 TexSport Publications

Texas Tech head football coach Mike Leach has been suspended indefinitely as the result of complaints from a player’s parent.

Most news services are reporting that the player and his parents are unnamed, but anonymous scores are reporting the player was Adam James and his parents are ESPN football analyst Craig James and his wife.

The younger James is a redshirt sophomore wide receiver while his father Craig was former running back for SMU and played in the NFL for the New England Patriots from 1984 to 1988.

The complaint was brought because they (his parents) were concerned about the way Leach treated their son after he was diagnosed with a concussion and an elevated heart rate.

The elder Craig and his wife issued the following statement through ESPN:

“Mr. and Mrs. James took the step with great regret and after consideration and prayer to convey to the Texas Tech Administration that their son had been subjected to actions and treatment not consistent with common sense rules for safety and health. The James family believes this is a matter important to protect all the fine young men involved in Tech football and the University’s reputation for developing and educating young men and women.”

ESPN has reported that sources have told Joe Schad, its college football reporter, that the parents accused Leach of isolating James in an equipment room and later an electrical closet after he suffered a mild concussion and could not practice.
Calls and a text message to Leach, asking for a comment, were not immediately returned.
There has been strife within the Red Raiders football program this season, which resulted to some tongue-lashing of his players by Leach.

He chastised players after a loss to Texas A&M in October for listening to "their fat little girlfriends," and thinking the Aggies were a pushover.

And after the Red Raiders' loss to the Houston Cougars, Leach suspended indefinitely starting offensive lineman Brandon Carter for violating team rules.

That same week Leach banned his players from having Twitter pages after linebacker Marlon Williams posted a question on his account why he was still in a meeting room when "the head coach can't even be on time."

Texas Tech has appointed defensive coordinator Ruffin McNeill as the interim head coach to lead the Red Raiders in the Alamo Bowl against Michigan State.