From the moment the Wildcats step into Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, they will be $375,000 richer, even before time runs off the clock.
In an agreement made in 2017, Texas Tech University agreed to host the Wildcats for two games, one on Saturday, and the other in September 2026.
Alumni and student athletes appreciate seeing big matchups like this, even though the smaller schools are often outmatched.
Read the full 2017 contract with Texas Tech here.
“I think our alums enjoy going and seeing these places and watching ACU play in stadiums or arenas that they never thought ACU would have,” said Zack Lassiter, vice president of athletics.
While larger schools use games like this as an opportunity to add a likely win to their record early in the season, smaller schools like ACU use it to grow their athletic programs and to reach new recruits.
Games like this one bring attention to the smaller schools, especially if they are able to pull off the upset, just as the Wildcats hope to do Saturday.
“I think playing these games and winning games like that makes us a more attractive place for student-athletes to come because they feel like they can get a great education in a great environment,” Lassiter said.
Even if the final score likely will not favor the Wildcats, the money earned will make the outing worth it. Lassiter said most of the money earned from these games will go toward the football program, while some will go to a general athletic fund.
“It’s something that helps every one of our teams, but probably most helps football,” he said.
It is unusual for big matchups like this to be scheduled in pairs, but not unheard of. Just as ACU faced Texas A&M last season, and brought in $550,000 for the program, the Wildcats have another game in College Station in a couple of years.
Lassiter said he is thankful for big games like these and the attention it brings to the Department of Athletics.
“A lot of the big state schools are – if they play these games – trying to help other programs in the state like us,” he said. “I think our fans enjoy being able to go to these games.”
