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Texas Tech Surges Past Utah Behind Will Hammond’s Big Night For A Big 12 Road Win

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Football

(BCSNN) — No. 17 Texas Tech used a fourth-quarter explosion of 24 points, thanks in no small part to a breakout performance from backup quarterback Will Hammond, to put No. 16 Utah in its place with a 34–10 win on the road for the Red Raiders on Saturday at Rice-Eccles Stadium.

The 24 unanswered points in the final frame handed the Utes their first loss of the season and opened Big 12 play with a statement win for the Red Raiders.

Texas Tech starter Behren Morton struggled early, throwing two interceptions and finishing 12-of-19 for 142 yards. Head coach Joey McGuire turned to backup Will Hammond early in the third quarter after Morton hit the turf a little too hard during a slide. Hammond would complete 13 of 16 passes in relief for 169 yards and two touchdowns, including scoring strikes to Terrance Carter Jr. and Reginald Virgil that broke the game open.

Utah quarterback Devon Dampier had a frustrating afternoon, going 25-of-38 for 162 yards and two interceptions. The Utes failed to generate explosive plays through the air and leaned heavily on the ground game, where NaQuari Rogers led with 37 yards and a late touchdown. Wayshawn Parker had the Utes lone touchdown, while compiling 22 yards on 6 touches.

Texas Tech’s run game provided balance, with Cameron Dickey rushing for 61 yards and J'Koby Williams adding 43. Utah's Dallen Bentley led all receivers with 75 yards, while Reggie Virgil chipped led the Red Raiders with 72 yards receiving.

Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham appeared frustrated postgame. "I never would have believed if you were to say we would lose the line of scrimmage," said Whittingham. "Never would have believed that in a million years, but we did."

Texas Tech (4–0, 1-0 Big 12) heads into a bye week, but will remain on the road when it resumes action, heading to Houston (3-0, 1-0 Big 12) on Oct. 4, while Utah (3–1, 0-1 Big 12) travels to Morgantown for its first Big 12 road test against West Virginia (2-2, 0-1 Big 12). The win vaults the Red Raiders into early contention for a conference title, while Utah will need to regroup quickly in a deep and unpredictable Big 12 race.