The head coach, as it turns out, won’t be the only individual connected to the 2012 Texas Tech Red Raiders who won’t be a participant in the football program’s bowl game.
Tech spokesman Blayne Beal confirmed Monday that cornerback Cornelius Douglas, defensive tackle Leon Mackey and linebacker Chris Payne will not play in Friday’s Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas matchup with Minnesota. No reasons for the suspensions were given, other than the standard “violation of team rules.”
Douglas would be the most glaring loss as he’s started five of the six games in which he played, with all of the starts coming in the first half of the season. The start count for Douglas likely would’ve been higher were it not for a knee issue with which he’s been dealing.
The senior is currently second on the team in interceptions with two, and was named honorable mention All-Big 12 following the season.
Mackey is a backup defensive lineman who has played in 11 games this season, while Payne has played mainly on special teams in the nine games in which he saw action. Payne’s not listed on Tech’s two-deep bowl depth chart.