LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – The No. 13 Texas Tech Red Raiders (6-1, 3-1 Big 12) finally have a chance to set aside frustrations from last week’s loss when they take on the No. 22 Arizona Wildcats (6-1, 3-1) Saturday in a Top 25 showdown.
Earlier this week, Texas Tech head football coach Joey McGuire said it’s now a “five-game season”.
“We’ve turned this into a five-game season where there’s no room for error,” he said. “So, it’s going to come down to who can play the best each Saturday. And we’ve got to play much better, especially this week.”
One advantage the Red Raiders will have is the return of running back Cameron Dickey, who suffered an ankle injury earlier this month at Colorado. In the five games prior to his injury, Dickey has had 57 carries for 242 yards and four touchdowns.
“It’s going to be good to have him back,” McGuire said. “He’s just another guy that’s been in some big games that’s got a lot of experience and a lot of juice.”
In the last few weeks, running back J’Koby Williams has taken over as one of the most explosive running backs in the conference, having amassed 86 carries for 240 yards and five scores this season. Quarterback Will Hammond is trying to find more consistency after last week’s game, where he had an interception and fumble in the first half in Tech’s 37-24 loss at Cincinnati, which came a week after his strongest performance of the year against Arizona State. Backup Thomas Castellanos could possibly see more time on the field on Saturday. So far, Castellanos has completed three of five passes, including two touchdowns and one interception. On the ground, he’s had 15 carries for 76 yards and two touchdowns.A strong performance will be needed for Tech’s offensive line. The Wildcats’ defense has established an aggressive pass rush, where 17 players have accounted for at least one half sack, ranking fifth in the Big 12 allowing 314.9 yards per game.Either quarterback could look to give wide receiver Kenny Johnson more time to score. The Pitt-transfer leads the Red Raiders in both receptions (31) and yards (499), but has only scored once. Fellow receiver Micah Hudson is still looking for his first touchdown of the season.Along with Dickey, tight end Terrance Carter, Jr. is also listed as probable for Saturday’s contest. In his five games of play, he’s made 17 catches for 151 yards and one score and is heavily regarded as one of the top situational players on Tech’s offense.On the defensive side, the Red Raiders will face Arizona’s high-powered passing offense, which averages 310.9 yards per game, ranking ninth nationally and second in the Big 12. The Wildcats offensive coordinator is Seth Doege, who was Texas Tech’s starting quarterback from 2011-12.
“What he is doing is he has got a quarterback, a fifth-year senior, really extremely talented that he’s got him playing at a really high level. That quarterback drives everything, he’s pretty special, and Seth’s doing a great job,” McGuire said.
The Wildcats are led by quarterback Noah Fifita, who enters the game with a passer rating of 174.12. Through seven games, he has completed 167 of 225 passes for 18 touchdowns and four interceptions.
“The quarterback’s a playmaker, he can hurt you with his arm, he can hurt you with his legs. They’re one of the top passing offenses in the country, they’re averaging 36 points a game, and he’s got some really nice tools on the perimeter to get the ball to,” said Texas Tech defensive coordinator Shiel Wood.
The Red Raiders’ defense has already made history in its previous for games, which have all seen a Red Raider return an interception for a touchdown, beginning with linebackers Austin Romaine (two vs. Sam Houston), John Curry (Colorado), and Ben Roberts (Arizona State), and safety Peyton Morgan (Cincinnati). However, Tech’s defensive unit as a whole currently ranks 13th in the conference allowing 372.9 yards per game in its first seven games.
Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. at Galaxy Stadium.
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