What Is 1970 Texas Tech Red Raiders football

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1970 Texas Tech Red Raiders football team represented Texas Tech University in the NCAA University Division football season, finishing with a 5–6 overall record under head coach Tommy Hudspeth. They competed in the Southwest Conference (SWC), posting a 2–5 conference record, and played their home games at Clifford B. & Audrey F. Jones Stadium in Lubbock, Texas.

Key Facts

The 1970 Texas Tech Red Raiders finished with a 5–6 overall record
They had a 2–5 record in the Southwest Conference (SWC)
Head coach Tommy Hudspeth led the team in his third season
Home games were played at Jones Stadium in Lubbock, Texas
Quarterback Pete Cawthon was a key offensive leader

Overview

The 1970 Texas Tech Red Raiders football team represented Texas Tech University during the 1970 NCAA University Division football season. Led by head coach Tommy Hudspeth in his third year, the team competed as a member of the Southwest Conference (SWC), facing a challenging schedule of regional and conference opponents.

The season marked a transitional phase for the Red Raiders, who struggled to maintain consistency on both offense and defense. Despite showing flashes of potential, the team finished with a losing record, reflecting broader challenges within the program during the early 1970s.

Overall record: The Red Raiders finished the season with a 5–6 win-loss record, failing to reach a bowl game for the second consecutive year.
Conference performance: In Southwest Conference play, Texas Tech went 2–5, placing them near the bottom of the eight-team league standings.
Head coach: Tommy Hudspeth, in his third season, compiled a 5–6 record in 1970, bringing his three-year tenure total to 11–20.
Home stadium: The team played all home games at Clifford B. & Audrey F. Jones Stadium in Lubbock, Texas, which had a capacity of approximately 45,000.
Offensive leader: Quarterback Pete Cawthon, son of former Texas Tech coach Pete Cawthon, led the passing attack, throwing for 1,024 yards and 6 touchdowns.

Season Performance

The 1970 campaign featured a mix of close contests and decisive losses, highlighting the team’s offensive limitations and defensive vulnerabilities.

September 5, 1970: Texas Tech opened the season with a 21–17 win over New Mexico at home, giving early hope for a turnaround.
October 3, 1970: A 34–0 shutout loss to #6 ranked Texas in Austin underscored the gap between the Red Raiders and the conference elite.
October 17, 1970: A 24–21 victory over TCU provided one of only two SWC wins, showcasing improved defensive effort.
November 7, 1970: A 41–14 loss to Baylor revealed ongoing struggles against high-powered offenses, as the Bears dominated on the ground.
November 21, 1970: The season concluded with a 28–21 loss to rival Texas Christian University, marking the end of a disappointing campaign.
Final statistics: The team averaged 19.8 points per game while allowing 23.6, reflecting a narrow scoring deficit over the 11-game season.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 1970 season compared to other recent years in program history:

Season	Overall Record	SWC Record	Bowl Game	Head Coach
1968	3–7	2–5	No	Jim Carlen
1969	4–6	3–4	No	Tommy Hudspeth
1970	5–6	2–5	No	Tommy Hudspeth
1971	4–7	2–5	No	Tommy Hudspeth
1972	3–8	2–5	No	Jim Stanley

The 1970 season represented a modest improvement over 1968 and 1969 in terms of total wins, but the team failed to gain traction in the SWC. Despite a slightly better overall record, the lack of bowl eligibility and consistent conference performance highlighted ongoing struggles. The Red Raiders remained a middle-to-lower-tier team in the Southwest Conference during this era, with limited national recognition and recruiting advantages.

Why It Matters

The 1970 season is a notable chapter in Texas Tech football history, illustrating the challenges of building a competitive program in a tough conference.

Program development: The season reflected the transitional nature of the Hudspeth era, as Texas Tech sought to modernize its football approach.
Recruiting limitations: Limited in-state talent pipelines and competition from Texas and Texas A&M hindered roster depth and quality.
Stadium legacy: Jones Stadium remained a key recruiting and home-field asset, even during losing seasons.
Coaching continuity: Hudspeth’s tenure ended after 1972, paving the way for Jim Stanley, who would later lead a modest revival.
Historical context: The 1970 team played before major NCAA rule changes and scholarship expansions that would reshape college football.
Fandom and identity: Despite losing records, loyal fan support in Lubbock helped sustain the program through lean years.

While not a standout season in wins and losses, the 1970 Texas Tech Red Raiders exemplify the perseverance required in collegiate athletics. Their performance laid groundwork for future improvements and remains a reference point for understanding the program’s evolution.