Texas Tech investigated the possibility of an NCAA rules violation by one of its football players, and the NCAA on Thursday accepted the university’s finding that no rules were broken.

Tech did not release the player’s identity, but speculation centered on All-American receiver Mike Crabtree.

“It looks like Texas Tech did work with us,” NCAA spokesperson Chuck Wynne said. “Based on the information provided to us by Texas Tech, there doesn’t appear to be a violation.”

Tech officials would not specify what led to the investigation beyond calling it “a possible compliance issue.”

Wynne and Tech faculty athletic representative Robert Baker said the matter is considered closed, and Baker said the player in question is approved to play this season.

“That’s my understanding,” he said.

Tech hosts Eastern Washington at 6 p.m. Saturday in the season opener.

Crabtree caught 134 passes for 1,962 yards and 22 touchdowns – all NCAA freshman records – last season. He was working out with his team at Jones AT&T Stadium when Tech released a two-sentence statement acknowledging the matter.

“Papers weren’t stacked right. Now they are,” Tech coach Mike Leach said when asked about the subject after practice.

Crabtree was seen suited up, going to and leaving the team’s closed practice, with teammates Thursday and joked with a reporter as he exited the stadium on the way back to the locker room.

Leach said he had worked out with the first team.

“And has every day this week,” Leach added.

That was a clear indication that coaches had an assurance about Crabtree’s status. They rarely give game-preparation snaps to anyone not expected to play in the next game.

Baker said a question about a compliance issue regarding one football player came to Tech’s attention about 10 days to two weeks ago. Baker said Tech did an internal review and communicated to the Big 12 Conference and the NCAA its belief that there were no violations.

College football

• Who: Texas Tech vs. Eastern Washington

• When: 6 p.m. Saturday

• Where: Jones AT&T Stadium

• Records: Both teams 9-4 last season.

• Last game: Tech 31, Virginia 28 in Gator Bowl; Appalachian State 38, Eastern Washington 35 in Division I-AA playoff quarterfinals

• Last meeting: Never played

• TV: None

“The appropriate people at the NCAA agreed with what we presented to them,” Baker said.

“It was a very complicated issue,” he said. “It was just something that had to be cleared up. Once all the pieces were in place, it was much easier to deal with.”