HOUSTON (AP) – A Texas Tech official says three Red Raiders won’t be playing against Minnesota in Friday’s Meineke Car Care Bowl because they violated team rules.

Football program spokesman Blayne Beal on Monday would not divulge the rules violated. He says Red Raiders starting defensive back Cornelius Douglas, Chris Payne, a linebacker who played mostly on Texas Tech’s special teams, and backup defensive tackle Leon Mackey won’t play in the bowl game.

The Red Raiders (7-5) take on the Gophers (6-6) about three weeks after Tommy Tuberville unexpectedly left to take the head coaching position at Cincinnati. Interim head coach Chris Thomsen, who handled the offensive line under Tuberville, will coach the bowl game.

Former Red Raiders standout quarterback Kliff Kingsbury was hired as Tuberville’s successor Dec. 12.

(© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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