Mississippi State offensive lineman and former Warren Central star Reed Buys smiles as he runs onto the field before the AutoZone Liberty Bowl game against Texas Tech on Tuesday. (Walter Frazier/For The Vicksburg Post)

Mississippi State head coach Mike Leach arrives for the AutoZone Liberty Bowl game against Texas Tech on Tuesday. (Walter Frazier/For The Vicksburg Post)

A Mississippi State flag and a pirate flag fly outside the Liberty Bowl before Tuesday's game between Mississippi State and Texas Tech. (Walter Frazier/For The Vicksburg Post)

Mississippi State offensive lineman and former Warren Central star Reed Buys waves to fans as his team arrives for the AutoZone Liberty Bowl game against Texas Tech on Tuesday. (Walter Frazier/For The Vicksburg Post)

Liberty Bowl Stadium is seen Tuesday, before Mississippi State and Texas Tech played in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl. (Walter Frazier/For The Vicksburg Post)

Mississippi State's Austin Williams (85) and Texas Tech's Jaylon Hutchings (95) shake hands before the coin toss at the start of the AutoZone Liberty Bowl on Tuesday. (Walter Frazier/For The Vicksburg Post)

Mississippi State receiver Rara Thomas (84) celebrates with his teammates after scoring a touchdown against Texas Tech in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl. (Walter Frazier/For The Vicksburg Post)

Texas Tech quarterback Donovan Smith (7) carries the football during the AutoZone Liberty Bowl against Mississippi State. Smith passed for 252 yards and a touchdown, and also ran for a TD, to lead the Red Raiders to a 34-7 win. (Walter Frazier/For The Vicksburg Post)

Mississippi State quarterback Will Rogers (2) throws a pass against Texas Tech in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl. Rogers passed for 290 yards and one touchdown, but Texas Tech routed the Bulldogs 34-7. (Walter Frazier/For The Vicksburg Post)

A Texas Tech fan holds a fake check to taunt Mississippi State head coach Mike Leach during the AutoZone Liberty Bowl. In the run-up to the game Leach claimed that Texas Tech, where he coached from 2000 to 2009, still owed him money from an old contract. (Walter Frazier/For The Vicksburg Post)

Mississippi State band members play during the AutoZone Liberty Bowl game Tuesday against Texas Tech. (Walter Frazier/For The Vicksburg Post)

Texas Tech and Mississippi State football players line up for a play during the AutoZone Liberty Bowl Tuesday in Memphis. Texas Tech won, 34-7. (Walter Frazier/For The Vicksburg Post)

Mississippi State running back Jo'quavious Marks (7) carries the football in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl Tuesday in Memphis. (Walter Frazier/For The Vicksburg Post)

Texas Tech running back SaRodorick Thompson (4) carves up Mississippi State's defense during the AutoZone Liberty Bowl on Tuesday. Thompson ran for 80 yards and a touchdown as Texas Tech beat the Bulldogs 34-7. (Walter Frazier/For The Vicksburg Post)

Mississippi State quarterback Will Rogers (2) throws a pass against Texas Tech in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl. Rogers passed for 290 yards and one touchdown, but Texas Tech routed the Bulldogs 34-7. (Walter Frazier/For The Vicksburg Post)

Texas Tech interim head coach Sonny Cumbie, left, shakes hands with Mississippi State coach Mike Leach at the end of the AutoZone Liberty Bowl. Texas Tech beat the Bulldogs 34-7. (Walter Frazier/For The Vicksburg Post)