A general view of Texas Tech Red Raiders helmets. Michael C. Johnson-Imagn Images

Texas Tech is ending a longtime tradition over a Big 12 rule change

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Grey Papke | Last updated Oct 20, 2025 4:32 PM ET

The Texas Tech Red Raiders are putting a stop to a longstanding tradition after the NCAA cracked down on it.

Texas Tech athletic director Kirby Hocutt said Monday that the school will no longer “encourage or permit” tortillas to be thrown on the field ahead of the opening kickoff of football games. The tradition dates back to 1989.

Texas Tech AD Kirby Hocutt just announced that they will no longer "encourage or permit" tortillas to be thrown at opening kickoff of home games.

Hocutt joined Joey McGuire for his weekly press conference and opened it with a statement about the tortillas.
— Sam Khan Jr. (@skhanjr) October 20, 2025

For years, the Big 12 has turned a blind eye to the practice in the name of tradition. However, the league has started a crackdown this season on fans throwing objects onto the field by ramping up enforcement of fines and penalizing teams whose fans misbehave.

Texas Tech initially encouraged fans to continue the tradition but only during the opening kickoff, but that has proven ineffective, as tortillas have continued flying at other points in the game. The Red Raiders were hit with two 15-yard penalties for tortilla throws in last week’s game against Kansas. The school was also fined $25K, and those fines will increase if the behavior continues.

The tortilla throwing was definitely something opponents took notice of. Fans will have to find something new to mark their home kickoffs.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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