Texas Tech is set to rely on its backup quarterback once again, as Will Hammond takes the lead at Arizona State in place of Behren Morton, who continues to recover from a leg injury that limited his practice this week. ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported on “College GameDay” that while Morton will be available for emergency situations against the Sun Devils, Hammond will start.
In a reversal of fortunes, Arizona State welcomes back its starting quarterback, Sam Leavitt, who missed the previous week’s game due to injury during a significant 42-10 defeat against Utah.
Hammond’s emergence has been noteworthy for Texas Tech, particularly in their recent matchup against then-No. 16 Utah, where he stepped in for an injured Morton and helped secure a remarkable 34-10 victory. The dual-threat redshirt freshman revitalized the team, completing 13 of 16 passes for 169 yards and two touchdowns and adding 61 rushing yards on eight carries. This win marked Texas Tech’s first victory in a ranked matchup since 2008.
This season, Hammond has seen action in five of the Red Raiders’ six games, showcasing his talent again in a commanding 42-17 win against Kansas last week, where he scored twice on the ground. His preparation included a significant role during spring practice while Morton was recuperating from previous injuries, including a shoulder issue that caused him to miss last season’s Liberty Bowl, which Hammond also started.
However, the Red Raiders are facing a challenge on the defensive front, as senior defensive tackle Skyler Gill-Howard will be absent following ankle surgery, impacting a defense that has been strong this season, ranking sixth in the nation for fewest points allowed per game and fourth in fewest yards per play allowed.
Despite these hurdles, Texas Tech is looking to leverage its depth and emerging talent as they face Arizona State, hoping to build on their recent successes and continue making strides in the season.