JUN 30, 2015 3:05p ET
JUN 30, 2015 3:05p ET
Lincoln Riley was 26 years old when Bob Stoops first took notice.
The young Texas Tech assistant at the time was suddenly thrust into running the Red Raiders' Air Raid offense at the 2009 Alamo Bowl against Michigan State because coach Mike Leach had been suddenly suspended.
Whether pure emotion and adrenaline kicked in for the Red Raiders' players at that confusing, controversial time is uncertain, but whatever it was, Riley directed a heck of a game as Tech's offense burst to life in a 41-31 win.