It was the match up of the Big 12 Conference in Week 4 of the college football season. Utah welcomed in Texas Tech for a Top 25 game, with the winner becoming the odds on favorite in the conference. Both teams have goals of reaching the College Football Playoff, as each team entered the game with a 3-0 record. And on Saturday, while the Utah home crowd came on strong, making life difficult for the Tech offense, it was Tech’s defense that locked it down and helped solidify a solid 34-10 win over the Utes in Salt Lake City on Saturday. Here are the top three takeaways from this game.
Texas Tech’s Defensive Line
The defensive line for the Red Raiders was absolutely dominant on Saturday against the best offensive line that Utah has ever had, according to head coach Kyle Whittingham. Lee Hunter was a beast at defensive tackle. It wasn’t about the UCF transfer’s stat line, but he was in the middle of everything that transpired for that Tech defense, causing a world of trouble for the Utes. Texas Tech kept Devon Dampier under wraps and under pressure, while also holding the Utes to 3.3 yards per carry on the afternoon. While the big-time transfers on defense were expected to perform, they showed up in a huge way in the most physical game they will likely play this season.
As Joel Klatt was saying towards the end of the broadcast, you can’t look at the logo on the side of the helmet this season. We aren’t used to seeing a team with this nasty of a defense with that Double-T logo on the side of the helmet. But that’s exactly what this team is. And now with Behren Morton potentially going to miss some time, this defense will be more crucial than ever.
Will Hammond steps in for Behren Morton
Behren Morton briefly left the game in the first half, and then took a big hit in the second half and never returned. Morton failed to slide on a scramble up the middle and took a big hit that was all on him. But, enter Will Hammond, who played really well against a quality Utah defense. Hammond finished 13/16 for 169 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed eight times for 61 yards.
And honestly, Will Hammond may be the better quarterback for Texas Tech moving forward. He was throwing dimes all afternoon, and led the Red Raiders to a win.
With Texas Tech leading 10-3 to start the fourth quarter, it was Hammond who led the team on drives of 79, 75, 68 and 28 yards, scoring a total of 24 points in the final quarter, all on the arm and legs of Hammond.
It’s fair to say that no matter the health status of Behren Morton, a quarterback controversy is on in Lubbock.
Texas Tech’s Ranked Win
Texas Tech just got its first win in a ranked match up since 2008, when the then No. 2-ranked Red Raiders beat No. 8 Oklahoma State. Tech was 0-6 since then in ranked match ups. And now, the Red Raiders have solidified themselves as, for now, the team to beat in the Big 12 Conference in 2025. The went on the road and picked up a ranked win in the loudest stadium in the Big 12 that was on absolute fire on Saturday. That’s the best win in the league, until proven otherwise.
And just like that, Texas Tech has the target on its back the rest of the way in the Big 12 Conference, and they are now officially the hunted. Game on in Lubbock.
