Texas Tech says tortilla throwing is no longer allowed

LUBBOCK, Texas — Texas Tech Director of Athletics, Kirby Hocutt announced Monday that the university will no longer allow attendees to throw tortillas during kickoff of home football games. He acknowledged the importance of the tradition to the fans, but emphasized the need to adhere to the decision to prevent costing the team on the field.

This decision followed an ongoing saga that began this offseason surrounding the tradition. In August, the Big 12 implemented a new rule that sought to prevent objects from being thrown on the field. However, the ruling had a notable exception for the Red Raider’s iconic staple, allowing fans to toss their tortillas at kickoff. The rule was passed by a vote of 15 to 1, with Texas Tech serving as the lone dissenter. This lead to the program adopting the ’15-1′ mantra, which Hocutt helped push earlier this year.

Tortillas became the forefront of discussion again after Texas Tech’s conference opener against Kansas. The Red Raiders received two 15-yard penalties during the game for repeatedly throwing tortillas after kickoff. The incidents angered Kansas head coach Lance Leipold, who voiced his disdain during his handshake with Joey McGuire and at his postgame press conference. Leipold also circulated the idea that a pocket knife was thrown, which was later determined to have been dropped by a Kansas staff member.

Following the controversy, the Big 12 fined both Texas Tech and Kansas $25K and issued an update to the August rule. The update implemented harsher consequences, with an automatic 15-yard penalty and $100K fine for violating schools. This culminated in the ultimate decision from Hocutt to eliminate the tradition all together.

Texas Tech will return to Jones AT&T Stadium this Saturday to face Oklahoma State. The No. 14 Red Raiders are coming off their first loss of the season and are looking to rebound in front of their home crowd.