On Saturday, November 8, 2025, #8 ranked Brigham Young Cougars and #9 Texas Tech Red Raiders competed in a football game in Lubbock, Texas. The matchup was chosen to be featured on College GameDay. Although the hype was big for the game, there were two other events that highlighted fans at their best.
In 2019, BYU started “Cougs Care.” For every away football game, they support a non-profit in the city hosting the game. Last week, both BYU and Texas Tech joined together to support Literacy Lubbock, which teaches people to read and offers classes and tutoring. Andy Reid played football for Brigham Young University and Patrick Mahomes was quarterback for Texas Tech. Before the rival game, they made a commercial to encourage fans to join with Texas Tech fans in bringing new or gently used books to the game to donate to Literacy Lubbock. More than 6,350 books have been donated.
Although it is usually considered “hate the other school week,” something happened to change the focus of the rivalry. Ivan Ortiz is the team barber for the Red Raiders. A few weeks ago, his wife, Maddie, was critically injured in a drunk driver accident. She has serious injuries and a long road to recovery. Being with his wife in ICU and taking care of their three-year-old son, Ivan was not able to work for a few weeks. To help with mounting bills, a GoFundMe page, “Help Support Maddie’s Road to Recovery,” was set up to raise $25,000. On Tuesday of game week, Devin Payne, a BYU fan, shared about the fundraiser with Cougar Nation and asked the Brigham Young fans to participate. After his invitation, the fund jumped significantly overnight! ESPN analyst, Kirk Herbstreit, who was in Lubbock to call the game, gave $5,000. An anonymous donor matched the $5,ooo. In honor of BYU’s 1984 national championship team, Travis Kimball, co-founder of Quick Quack Car Wash donated $1984. As of Friday, with both teams’ fans contributing, $192,431 has been raised! Ivan has been overwhelmed with the response. He commented, “God is good. I’m lost for words, seeing how far our story has touched others during this difficult time. We’re not prepared for trauma, nor do we know how to handle the situation. I appreciate everyone for the continued prayers and helping us during this time.” Joey McGuire, Texas Tech head coach, along with other Tech fans, have also expressed thanks to the generosity, compassion, and thoughtfulness of the Brigham Young and Texas Tech fans.
One fan summed it up, “We talk a lot in sports about rivalries, competition, and passion. But every now and then, a moment like this reminds us that the heart of sports isn’t just about who wins or loses on Saturday. It’s about community. It’s about showing up for each other, even – and especially – when the jersey colors don’t match. BYU fans didn’t just support a family in need. They reminded us all what the spirit of college football can be at its best.”
Whatever sport, event, or activity, may we also find ways to help, encourage, and bless others.
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
1 Thessalonians 5:11
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