The No. 17 Texas Tech Red Raiders (4-0, 1-0) beat the No. 16 Utah Utes (3-1, 0-1) by a score of 34-10 in a Big Noon Kickoff showdown. The noon face-off was mostly a defensive battle, but Texas Tech’s offense put them over the top despite losing starting quarterback Behren Morton in the third quarter.
Utah’s offense simply could not get anything going. The Red Raiders were in control from start to finish, and showed that they are a top dog in the Big 12 Conference. Beating the No. 16 team in the country is a feat of its own, but winning in Salt Lake City is even harder. Texas Tech got the job done, and Utah is left puzzled.
The first half was a defensive game to say the least. Texas Tech felt in control of the game, with their first drive ending in a touchdown. Red Raiders’ QB Morton had the highlight of the drive, throwing a 73-yard deep ball to running back J’Koby Williams. Then, RB Cameron Dickey scored a short rushing touchdown to put Texas Tech up 7-0.
Both defenses shut each other down on their next drives. Devon Dampier and Morton and their respective offenses traded interceptions, turnovers and punts. In an otherwise uneventful first half, both squads ended it with a field goal. Stone Harrington added three points for the Red Raiders, while Dillon Curtis connected for the Utes, leaving the score 10-3 in favor of Texas Tech.
The Red Raiders’ got the ball to start the second half. The start of their drive was plagued with penalties and the Utes defense played stout. The crowd in Salt Lake City was roaring, forcing multiple false starts, each one energizing the team and crowd further.
Unfortunately for Utah, the offense didn’t carry over the energy the defense generated. The Utes were forced to punt after a near interception thrown by Dampier. Due to a hit Morton sustained earlier, he was ruled out for the rest of the game. The Red Raiders put in redshirt freshman QB Will Hammond. Both defenses were battling it out, with most of the third quarter being a punt fest.
To start the fourth quarter, Hammond looked like a veteran. Hammond threw a 33-yard bomb to Caleb Douglas with beautiful placement, getting the Red Raiders into Utes territory. The freshman had a chance to score but placed the ball just a little off in the end zone. Texas Tech settled for another Harrington field goal.
The Utes were not ready to give up, as Dampier threw a strike to tight end Dallen Bentley for 44 yards. For the first time in the game, it seemed like there was some urgency in the Utes’ offense. After marching down to the doorstep of their first touchdown, Wayshawn Parker scored on a 5-yard rush. Utah was right back in it, now only down 13-10.
Hammond started the Red Raiders’ next drive with a bang, calling his own number on a 32-yard rush. The Texas Tech backup continued to impress, following up his run with a 19-yard pass to wide receiver Coy Eakin. Hammond finished his drive off with a 24-yard touchdown pass to TE Terrance Carter Jr., extending the Red Raiders’ lead to 20-10.
Texas Tech’s defense clutched up once again, and Hammond drove the Red Raiders back down into Utah territory. Dickey scored his second rushing touchdown of the game, and Hammond threw for another touchdown to Reggie Virgil. All of a sudden, Texas Tech was up big by a score of 34-10. The Utes then waived the white flag, replacing Dampier with Byrd Ficklin.
After the Utes looked like they had some life, the game was sealed after Hammond stepped up and led his team in an impressive drive. After marching down the field, Hammond’s touchdown pass to Carter Jr. sucked all the air out of Rice-Eccles Stadium. Once the lead was extended to 20-10, there was no looking back for the Red Raiders. Dickey put the nail in the Utes’ coffin with a 24-yard rushing touchdown, his second of the game.
For Texas Tech, the player of the game has to be Hammond. It is extremely difficult to come in as a freshman for the injured starter and win on the road. In under three quarters, Hammond threw for 169 yards, 2 TDs, and maintained an 81 percent completion rate.
For the Utes, safety Nate Ritchie gave it his all. Despite the loss, Ritchie played well, recording 13 total tackles and 10 solo tackles. The Utes’ defense still looked like a strong suit, but they were just outlasted and gassed. Without Ritchie’s tackling, this game could have been a lot more lopsided.
Texas Tech is poised for a major Big 12 title run. They will jump up in the AP Top 25 this week and will prepare to play the Houston Cougars on Saturday, October 4. The rest of their schedule looks favorable, making the Red Raiders a team to watch for the playoff hunt.
The Utah Utes are heavily disappointed and will likely drop in the rankings. This was their shot at taking the top of the conference, now they will have to play lights out the rest of the year. The Utes will travel to play the West Virginia Mountaineers on Saturday, September 27.
These highly-productive gunslingers are masters at ball security and putting the football in exactly the right spot
Tony Thomas
Author
The No. 1 quarterback in the FBS plays in Waco, TX
The Utah Utes (3-1, 0-1) will travel to take on the West Virginia Mountaineers (2-2, 0-1) on Sept. 27. After Utah’s disappointing outing against Texas Tech, the Utes will look for redemption.
