Texas Tech University Athletics
Texas Tech Accepts Invitation to Alamo Bowl
December 03, 2001 | Football
Dec. 3, 2001
Following two weeks of anticipation, Texas Tech accepted an invitation to play Big Ten representative Iowa in the Sylvania Alamo Bowl Sat., Dec. 29, at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. The game will kickoff at 2:30 p.m. (CT) on ESPN.
The game is the second for Tech in the history of the bowl and its first appearance since a 1996 game against Iowa.
Texas Tech Athletic Director Gerald Myers officially accepted the invitation to the Sylvania Alamo Bowl.
"We are excited for this opportunity and appreciate the selection committee for choosing Texas Tech," Myers said. "Our fans and students have shown great excitement and enthusiasm for our football team this season. We are confident that our alumni and fans from West Texas and across the state will take the opportunity to show their excitement and appreciation for the year we've had by their attendance at the Sylvania Alamo Bowl.
"We are looking forward to a great football game with Iowa," Myers added. "This game will be between two football programs on the rise."
Texas Tech second-year head coach Mike Leach expressed his excitement about playing in the Sylvania Alamo Bowl in a press conference held Monday evening at Texas Tech's athletic offices.
"We couldn't have gotten to this point without the fans," Leach said. "Our fans now need to buy their tickets, show support for the team and show everyone why we deserve to be in bowls like this every year.
"We are the best team for them and they are the best bowl for us," Leach added.
Monday's selection of Texas Tech for the Sylvania Alamo Bowl marks the seventh bowl appearance for Texas Tech since the 1993 season. The Red Raiders have been bowl eligible for the past nine seasons, but didn't participate in 1997 and 1999. Tech's trip this season also marks the first time in Texas Tech football history that a head coach has taken a team to bowl appearances in his first two seasons.
Texas Tech became bowl eligible with its 49-30 win at Oklahoma State on Nov. 10 in Stillwater, Okla. The win gave the Red Raiders the six wins needed to compete in a postseason contest.
Texas Tech fans are encouraged to purchase their tickets through the Athletic Ticket Office and Texas Tech University. The ticket office is located in the North end of Jones SBC Stadium and is open between the hours of 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Fans also can order tickets by calling (888) GO-BIG-12 or (806) 742-TECH.
