SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Backup quarterback Will Hammond stepped up when it mattered most, leading the Texas Tech Red Raiders to a decisive 34-10 victory over the No. 16 ranked Utah Utes on Saturday. Hammond entered the game during the third quarter, replacing starter Behren Morton, who suffered an injury after a hard hit by Utah linebacker Johnathan Hall. At the time of Morton's exit, the Red Raiders were ahead 10-3.
Hammond showcased his skills, throwing for 169 yards and two touchdowns while also rushing for 61 yards. His performance sparked a stagnant Texas Tech offense, as the team improved to 4-0 overall and 1-0 in the Big 12 Conference. Reflecting on his teammate's support, Hammond stated, “He trusts me. We watch film together, and that’s my guy. That’s always his message to me: ‘I trust you.’”
On the other side, Utah quarterback Devon Dampier struggled against the Red Raiders' defense, finishing with 162 yards and two interceptions. The Utes, now 3-1 overall and 0-1 in the Big 12, managed just 263 total yards and committed four turnovers throughout the game. Dampier expressed the team’s frustration, saying, “We didn’t show today what we’re capable of doing. We know, as a team, we know what our potential is.”
The Red Raiders struck first with a 1-yard touchdown run from Cameron Dickey in the opening quarter. Dickey ended the day with 67 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Later, a career-long 58-yard field goal by Stone Harrington extended the lead to 10-0 late in the second quarter, putting pressure on the Utes to respond.
Utah's attempts to answer were thwarted by back-to-back turnovers in the first half, including a 69-yard touchdown pass that was nullified due to an ineligible receiver penalty. As the fourth quarter progressed, the Utes managed to narrow the gap with a 5-yard touchdown run by Wayshawn Parker, making the score 13-10 with 10:22 left in the game. However, the momentum quickly shifted back to Texas Tech.
Hammond's first touchdown pass—a 24-yarder to Terrance Carter Jr.—restored a double-digit lead, and Dickey's second touchdown run, a 24-yarder, capped off an impressive drive for a 27-10 advantage. Following an interception thrown by Dampier on Utah's next drive, Hammond connected with Reggie Virgil for a 21-yard touchdown, sealing the victory for the Red Raiders.
The Texas Tech defense played a crucial role in the win, limiting Utah's ground game to just 101 rushing yards, significantly below their usual standards. The Utes averaged only 3.3 yards per carry, while allowing the Red Raiders to gain 173 yards on the ground. Coach Kyle Whittingham expressed disbelief at his team losing the line of scrimmage, stating, “I never would have believed if you were to say we would lose the line of scrimmage. Never would have believed that in a million years, but we did.”
Despite their success, Texas Tech faced challenges with discipline, committing 14 penalties for 122 yards, including multiple false starts. Coach Joey McGuire acknowledged the impact of the intense crowd noise at Rice-Eccles Stadium, stating, “There were times earlier in the game where we felt like we could open it up. We just couldn’t get out of our own way. Too many penalties and things we got to address.”
With this victory, Texas Tech is expected to rise in the AP Top 25 Poll. They will have a bye week before facing Houston on October 4th. Meanwhile, the Utah Utes will look to bounce back as they prepare to visit West Virginia next Saturday.
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