2010 Alamo Bowl (January)

Game buildup

The game featured two programs which, prior to the event, were undergoing controversies.

On December 28, 2009, Texas Tech suspended, and fired two days later, head coach Mike Leach over the alleged mistreatment of an injured player. Defensive Coordinator Ruffin McNeill was named interim head coach.

Meanwhile, on November 22, 2009, Michigan State had suspended 14 players for the bowl resulting from a fight at one of the school's dormitories.

Game summary

First quarter

Texas Tech won the coin toss and deferred to the second half. The 67 yard kick off by the Red Raiders was returned by Keshawn Martin for 33 yards. The Spartans made it all the way to the Texas Tech 32-yard line before their opening driving ended in disappointment, when Jamar Wall intercepted a pass by quarterback Kirk Cousins. The Red Raiders opening drive ended with a 3-yard rushing touchdown by Barron Batch. Both teams went three-and-out in their next drive. Michigan State's first score came in their third drive of the game by way of an explosive run by Edwin Baker for a 46-yard rushing touchdown. The Spartan's scoring drive would be the last of the quarter, bringing the score at the end of the quarter to 7–7.

Second quarter

At the end of the second quarter the Red Raiders were leading with a score of 20–14.

Third quarter

At the end of the third quarter the Spartans were leading with a score of 28–27.

Fourth quarter

Michigan State took a four-point lead with 8:05 left in the game after a field goal, but it was all Red Raiders after that point. The game ended with Texas Tech winning the game with a final score of 41–31.

Scoring summary

|- |Final |31 |41 |} Source: |}

References

References

1. (2010-02-11). "College Football Texas Tech Red Raiders Team Page at VegasInsider.com, The Leader in Sportsbook and Gaming Information". VegasInsider.com.
2. (2010-01-05). "Bowl Ranks #1 as ESPN's Most-Watched Game". Valero Alamo Bowl.
3. Jon Solomon, [http://media.al.com/solomon/photo/113bcstvjpg-3d3c3517c7fc3bf3.jpg 2009-10 Bowl TV Ratings], ''The Birmingham News'', January 13, 2010
4. "Stanford in Sun Bowl".
5. (2009-12-06). "Texas Tech Accepts Valero Alamo Bowl Invitation". Texas Tech Athletics.
6. Griffin, Tim. (August 28, 2008). "Valero Alamo Bowl, Pacific-10 Conference agree on deal starting in 2010 season".
7. "Holiday Bowl drops down in the pecking order".
8. Griffin, Tim. (2009-01-05). "Alamo Bowl draws largest rating in ESPN bowl history". [[ESPN]].
9. (2009-12-31). "Texas Tech Fires Coach Mike Leach". New York Times.
10. (2009-12-28). "Leach suspended after player complaint". ESPN.com.
11. (2010-01-03). "Michigan State Spartans vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders Box Score, January 2, 2010 - NCAA College Football - ESPN". ESPN.