Texas Tech quarterback Will Hammond (15) looks to throw a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Arizona State, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, in Lubbock, Texas. (AP Photo/Annie Rice)
Annie Rice/Associated Press
Texas Tech running back J’koby Williams (20) runs for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Arizona State, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, in Lubbock, Texas. (AP Photo/Annie Rice)
Annie Rice/Associated Press
Arizona State wide receiver Omarion Miller (4) runs with the ball while Texas Tech cornerback Amier Boyd (27) attempts to tackle during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, in Lubbock, Texas. (AP Photo/Annie Rice)
Annie Rice/Associated Press
Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire looks up at the scoreboard during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Arizona State, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, in Lubbock, Texas. (AP Photo/Annie Rice)
Annie Rice/Associated Press
Staff mug shot of Oscar LeRoy. Reporter-Telegram file photo.
Reporter-Telegram file
LUBBOCK – The Texas Tech football team had been waiting for a first half and a game like the one it got on Saturday afternoon at Galaxy Stadium.
The No. 10-ranked Red Raiders made things miserable for visiting Arizona State as it got off to a fast start, took a 43-10 lead at the half and rolled to a 53-25 victory in front of a sold-out homecoming crowd.
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“Start fast, I don’t know, everybody says it, but how do you do it?” asked Tech coach Joey McGuire. “We came out and I thought we executed at a really high level. I thought our quarterback (Will Hammond) played really well in the first half, it’s probably the best half I’ve ever seen him play. I thought our offensive staff did a great job of finding the run, it was extremely effective. And when you look back on those runs, it was some of the best receiver blocking.”
Tech fans had been wondering where this has been all season as the Red Raiders (6-0, 3-0 in Big 12) were undefeated but had to scratch and claw in most of those victories.
It started with Hammond, who looked as comfortable as he’s looked all season since coming back from a ACL injury as he was 18-of-26 passing for 232 yards and a TD. He also used his feet effectively and had a nice 9-yard TD run in which he made a spin move before heading into the end zone.
“Will grew as a quarterback today, he really did,” McGuire said. “He did some things today extremely composed. You’ve seen flashes, but you haven’t seen a half like that.”
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Added Hammond, “I thought I played really well, the whole offense played really well, honestly. The O-line did incredible. I think we rushed for like 260 yards tonight. So, it started with them and all the receivers making plays. It was fun. (Offensive coordinator Mack Leftwich) called a great game and we all had a blast. It all started with us having a great week of practice. I thought it was our best week all season and that carried into the game.”
The Red Raiders got a career-high rushing day from J’Koby Williams, who finished with 165 yards and two TDs on 11 carries.
“You’ve heard me say this many times, but everyone needs a J’Koby Williams in their life,” McGuire said. “He plays with such joy and he’s such a great teammate, so for him to have a day like he did today, it was special.”
Williams said he didn’t feel any extra pressure to carry a bigger load with fellow running back Cameron Dickey out with an ankle injury.
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“We’ve got (Quinten Joyner) and Cam is with right there uplifting us, me and Q, just like we uplift him,” Williams said. “He’s giving us energy and we were just feeding off each other.”
Hammond’s favorite target was Kenny Johnson, the Pitt transfer who finished with seven catches for a career-high 120 yards.
“It just shows that when we play a full game, all four quarters, how dominant we are,” said Johnson about Saturday’s team performance. “I feel the bye week was beneficial, just like honing in and getting to watch a lot of (game film) and seeing what we do well and seeing the things we don’t do well. I think it was great for the coaches and it was good for us.”
Tech had 404 of their 502 total yards in the first half. Tech also had 10 plays of 20 yards or more in the first half.
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And then of course there was the performance of the defense, which forced ASU (3-3, 1-2) to bench quarterback Cutter Boley at the half, had a season-high six sacks and forced two turnovers, including a 24-yard pick 6 from linebacker Ben Roberts.
Tech’s first drive ended in a fumble by Williams at the ASU 2, but the defense picked the offense up when Roberts stepped in front of a Boley pass and returned it for the score.
“That was a huge,” McGuire said of the pick. “When you drive all the way down and you fumble it right here. Number one, J’Koby responded, but two, the defense responded and that was big. They had the momentum right there and when you cause a turnover, it was such a momentum change.”
It was the performance that many had been waiting to see from these Red Raiders, who may have been an extra motivated by the skeptics who questioned if this team was still one of the favorites to win the Big 12.
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“There was a sense of urgency, but also anger,” McGuire said. “There were a lot of good people saying, ‘this doesn’t look like last year’s team.’ Well, it’s not last year’s team but this team is 6-0 and finding ways to win. I was proud of the way we responded.”
The Red Raiders hope they stay angry and hungry for more when they travel to Cincinnati on Oct. 24.