Red Raiders crush UCF to reach 10 wins

Texas Tech’s season has been defined by dominance, swagger, and a defense that smothers opponents into submission. On Saturday, in their regular-season home finale, the No. 8 Red Raiders delivered another emphatic statement, blasting UCF 48–9 to move to 10–1 (7–1 Big 12, No. 6 CFP). It was a night filled with milestones, emerging stars, and one linebacker who just can’t resist striking college football’s most iconic pose.

Linebacker Jacob Rodriguez—already a fan favorite for his flair and playmaking—found the end zone on offense for the first time in his career, punching in a 2-yard wildcat score. And just as he did after last week’s highlight-reel interception against BYU, Rodriguez lifted his leg, extended his arm, and froze in the unmistakable Heisman Trophy pose as teammates surrounded him. The crowd erupted. The swagger is real in Lubbock.

But Rodriguez didn’t stop with a touchdown. He later snagged his fourth interception of the season, setting up Reggie Virgil’s third touchdown of the night to give Texas Tech a commanding 35–2 lead. For a player who has already scored on fumble recoveries in back-to-back seasons against Oklahoma State, Rodriguez continues to build one of the most unique résumés in college football.

The Red Raiders’ offense, meanwhile, showcased just how deep and versatile it has become. True freshman running back Reggie Virgil stole the show with three touchdowns, including scoring on the first two carries of his college career. His second—an electrifying 30-yard sprint—ended with him hopping and skipping across the goal line, a celebration that perfectly matched the energy of the night. Cameron Dickey added two more rushing touchdowns as Texas Tech bullied the Knights on the ground.

Quarterback Behren Morton, still battling through a leg injury, managed 149 yards and an 8-yard touchdown pass to Virgil before yielding to Mitch Griffis late in the first half. With original backup Will Hammond out for the season, Morton’s toughness has been crucial as Tech continues its push toward a Big 12 title.

While Texas Tech rolled, UCF continued its road struggles. The Knights didn’t record a first down until trailing 21–0 and mustered only 52 rushing yards against the nation’s No. 1 run defense. Their only points of the first half came on a safety after left tackle Howard Sampson was flagged for holding in the end zone. Moments later, Sampson cost Tech a touchdown with a taunting penalty that forced the Raiders to settle for a late field goal—one of the few missteps on an otherwise dominant evening.

With the win, all 10 of Texas Tech’s victories this season have come by at least 20 points—a new school record—with an average margin of 33.8. The late Mike Leach’s 2008 squad was the last Tech team to reach double-digit wins, and this year’s group appears determined to carve out its own place in program history.

A conference championship opportunity is within reach. The confidence is sky-high. The defense is elite. And Jacob Rodriguez is striking poses like a man chasing hardware.

In Lubbock, dreams are getting real.