Advertisement
football Edit

Countdown to Kickoff: 36 Days

PREVIOUS COUNTDOWN TO KICKOFF ENTRIES: 50 | 49 | 48 | 47 | 46 | 45 | 44 | 43 | 42

41 | 40 | 39 | 38 | 37

Texas Tech's 2016 football season will begin in exactly 36 days with a Sept. 3 kickoff against Stephen F. Austin.

Today, we continue our Countdown to Kickoff series with a notable way the number 36 relates to Red Raider football.

36: Texas Tech's Charlie Calhoun punted 36 times in the Red Raiders' 0-0 tie against Centenary in 1939.

The Texas Tech program has the distinction of participating in one of the most unique games in college football history.

In 1939, Pete Cawthon's Red Raiders were 3-4 heading into their Nov. 11 road game at Centenary. That season was shaping up to be a disappointing follow-up campaign to Texas Tech's breakout 10-1 showing in 1938.

The Red Raiders' game against the Gents would not flip the script on 1939, but it did make its mark on the sport.

Played in a torrential downpour, on a muddy, soggy field, Texas Tech and Centenary found it impossible to gain yardage. The two teams eventually settled on repetitively punting on first down, hoping to luck into a touchdown off of a fumble. That didn't happen, and the game ended in a 0-0 tie.

Thirteen NCAA records were set on that rain-soaked field - more than in any other game in NCAA history - and all still stand today. Texas Tech's Charlie Calhoun set the record for most punts (36) and punting yards (1,318) in a single-game. The two teams set a record for combined punts (77), most combined punt returns (42), fewest plays by two teams (33) and fewest combined yards gained by two teams (30).

Tomorrow: 35 - We look at one of Texas Tech all-time great players.

Advertisement