Texas Tech announced its arrival into the playoffs by thrashing BYU 34-7 in the Big 12 Championship game. It was a momentous game for either side, and Joey McGuire left no stone unturned to make the win possible. But the victory was not without some drama, which ensued in the first quarter itself. The Red Raiders could have tied BYU entering the second quarter, had it not been for a controversial act from the Cougars.

Joey McGuire complained to the referees when the TTU was awarded the false start penalty at the 5-yard line. According to the coach, the Cougars’ D-line was clapping before the snap, forcing the Texas Tech O-line to make the costly mistake. The Red Raiders were pushed back 5 yards at 3rd and 8. Ultimately, McGuire had to settle for a field goal that came in the 2 quarter, when he had the chance to level the scores.

This was actually the second time Texas Tech was flagged for a false start in the BYU red zone. The first penalty came when TTU was at the BYU 11. Two further plays put the Red Raiders at BYU 9, when the 2 penalty came. This ultimately had McGuire’s patience running out, pushing to bring the referee’s attention to the BYU D-line. Fans will find a similarity to how Georgia’s Kirby Smart pulled a similar move against Auburn. However, he ended up being the subject of controversy, having been given a timeout after the confusion.

Texas Tech was already in a dangerous position in the first quarter, as the defense allowed the opponent team to score on the opening drive itself. This was the first time in the season that the TTU defense gave up this opportunity. BYU entered as the underdog in this game and fought to book a spot for the playoffs and retain their championship title. The Red Raiders, on the other hand, intended to make program history. Every move counted for either side, so both of them will take offense when the other chooses to play dirty.

BYU was handed a penalty of its own soon after. In the 2 quarter, when the Cougars were at 3 and 7, Ikinasio Tupou was flagged for a false start on the BYU 42. It pushed them back 5 yards. A 5-yard pass came in the next play, which forced a turnover on downs for Texas Tech.

Though Joey McGuire was willing to fight the false start penalties, he got away with what fans are also calling a penalty.

Did Joey McGuire escape a penalty?

Texas Tech made up for the 1 quarter slump by adding a TD in the 2 quarter. It gave the Red Raiders a 3-point lead. But Cougar fans thought a penalty should have been called, and the TD should have been overruled. According to them, Texas Tech WR Eakin Coy ran out of bounds before catching the ball at the 1-yard line. A BYU defender was right there, which would make Coy guilty of pass interference.

The referee also threw his hat down to stress that he had seen this unfolding. But the TD still stuck on, giving Texas Tech some much-needed points. The TD is the play that might have knocked BYU out of playoff contention. They will now have to settle for the Big 12 runner-up title, despite making a statement with that opening drive TD.

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Unfortunately for BYU, it was the only time they put points on the board. The Red Raiders, in full form with the debated-upon touchdown, kept racking up points to register a massive victory. Joey McGuire will clearly be locked in for good at Lubbock by the TTU administration after this era-defining feat.