Texas Tech puts away Utah in the fourth quarter for a 34-10 upset

Jeff Hauser

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Texas Tech puts away Utah in the fourth quarter for a 34-10 upset image

Texas Tech rolled into Utah and made a statement with a 34-10 upset win on Saturday.

Red Raiders backup QB Will Hammond entered the game in the third quarter after Behren Morton took a blow to the head. He finished the game going 13-of-16 for 169 yards and two touchdowns. What was billed as an offensive affair turned out to be quite the opposite in the first half.

Neither team could find any true consistency with a combined five punts and three turnovers. However, Texas Tech found a spark in the fourth quarter with four straight scoring drives to pull away late. 

This was the first head-to-head ranked win for the Red Raiders since 2008. 

For Utah, they averaged four yards per play, but couldn't escape the mistakes. Devon Dampier went 25-of-38 for 162 yards and two interceptions. The Utes lone touchdown came on a run by Wayshawn Parker  

Here's a recap of the game: 

SCORE ALERT: Q4 1:56 Texas Tech 34, Utah 10 Will Hammond pass complete to Reggie Virgil for 21-yards for a TD

3:30 p.m. Q4 2:00 Texas Tech 27, Utah 10

2-minute warning in SLC with the crowd dejected from Texas Tech's late surge

3:28 p.m. Q4 2:43 Texas Tech 27, Utah 10

Devon Dampier pass intercepted by Jacob Rodriguez at Utah 17. Will Hammond and Texas Tech seal the victory over Utes  

SCORE ALERT: Q4 3:51 Texas Tech 27, Utah 10 Cameron Dickey 24-yard run for a TD 

3:20 p.m. Q4 6:07 Texas Tech 20, Utah 10

Will Hammond is getting confortable with Utah's defense looking flat. 

SCORE ALERT: Q4 8:41 Texas Tech 20, Utah 10

Will Hammond pass complete to Terrance Carter Jr. for 24 yds for a TD (Stone Harrington KICK) 

3:07 p.m. Q4 10:20 Texas Tech 13, Utah 10 

Will Hammond run for 32 yards to the UTAH 43

SCORE ALERT: Q4 10:26 Texas Tech 13, Utah 10 

Wayshawn Parker add a touchdown for the Utes with a 8-play, 75 yard drive

3:01 p.m. Q4 14:50 Texas Tech 10, Utah 3

 Devon Dampier pass complete to Dallen Bentley for 44 yards to the TT 31. Utes look good on this drive and will try to find the end zone.

SCORE ALERT: Texas Tech 13, Utah 3 Stone Harrington 25-yard attempt good with 12:37 left 

2:50 p.m. Q4 14:50 Texas Tech 10, Utah 3

Hammond and the Red Raiders offense convert on another third down. Pass complete to Caleb Douglas for 33 yards to the TT 40 

END OF THIRD QUARTER

Texas Tech 10, Utah 3 

2:44 p.m. Q3 0:57 Texas Tech 10, Utah 3

Will Hammond pass complete to Reggie Virgil for 19 yards to the TT 40 for a third down conversion.  

2:41 p.m. Q3 2:25 Texas Tech 10, Utah 3

Devon Dampier misses a wide open receiver down the field on third and three. Could be a costly mistake as the Utes offense once again goes three and out.  

2:36 p.m. Q3 4:46 Texas Tech 10, Utah 3

Neither team has found a spark in the second half. Another TT punt gives Utah the ball back on their own 9-yard line. The 11th combined punt in the game and fifth in the second half. 

2:30 p.m. Q3 7:38 Texas Tech 10, Utah 3

Another three and out for the Utes with a total of seven yards thus far in the second half 

2:24 p.m. Q3 9:50 Texas Tech 10, Utah 3

Texas Tech punts for the second straight possession in the second half. Will Hammond has come in at QB for the Red Raiders after Behren Morton took a blow to the head. 

2:22 p.m. Q3 10:10 Texas Tech 10, Utah 3

This game will likely come down to who has the ball last. Punts and turnovers

2:18 p.m. Q3 12:05 Texas Tech 10, Utah 3

Another punt for Utah after with another three and out. 

2:13 p.m. Q3 14:53 Texas Tech 10, Utah 3

Texas Tech's first drive in the second half results in a punt. The 3rd and 23 from their own 10 stalled. Utah takes over at their own 25. 

2:06 p.m.- Q3 13:10 Texas Tech 10, Utah 3

Texas Tech gets the second half kick with going backwards to start. 

Halftime: Texas Tech 10, Utah 3

Team Stats

Halftime TTUtah
1st Downs79
3rd down efficiency4-83-8
4th down efficiency0-00-1
Total Yards183145
Passing14286
Comp/Att12/1917/22
Yards per pass7.53.9
Interceptions thrown21
Rushing4159
Rushing Attempts1417
Yards per rush2.93.5
Penalties9-882-10
Turnovers23
Fumbles lost02
Interceptions thrown21
Possession12:5217:08

The story of the game thus far has been turnovers. A defensive slugfest with the Red Raiders getting a touchdown on their first possession.

SCORE ALERT: Texas Tech 10, Utah 3 Dillon Curtis 32-yard attempt good before halftime

1:39 p.m. Q2 0:34- Texas Tech 10, Utah 0

Utah puts together an great drive with 43 yards in 44 second off the clock, setting up Dillon Curtis for a 32 yard attempt

SCORE ALERT: Texas Tech 10, Utah 0

Stone Harrison nails 58-yard field goal with 54 second left before halftime 

1:34 p.m. Q2 1:08- Texas Tech 7, Utah 0

Morton completes a pass to Terrance Carter Jr. for 11 yards to the Utah 40 on 3rd and 22. Setting up a 58-yard FG try from Stone Harrington

1:32 p.m. Q2 1:21- Texas Tech 7, Utah 0

Behren Morton trying to drive to add another score before the half. But Texas Tech's holding penalty, moves them to the Utes' 49 and maybe out of field goal range. 2nd and 20 coming up. 

1:28 p.m. - Q2 2:36- Texas Tech 7, Utah 0 

Devon Dampier intercepted by Brice Pollock for no gain at TT's 47. The Utes QB has looked good until that terrible throw deep down the field. His first pick of the season. 

1:25 p.m. - Q2 3:42- Texas Tech 7, Utah 0 

The Red Raiders are stopped on 3rd and 15 from their own 38. Morton rips off an 11-yard run but takes a hit in the process. Utes will try and do something to even the score after a punt. 

1:21 p.m. - Q2 5:13 - Texas Tech 7, Utah 0

Another key third down conversion by Morton and the Red Raiders offense. Terrance Carter Jr. with a four yard catch to TT's 43. 3-of-5 thus far and haven't faced a fourth down. 

1:18 p.m. - Q2 6:32 - Texas Tech 7, Utah 0

Texas Tech starts at own 19 after another stalled Utah drive. The Utes third punt of the game.  

Texas Tech 7, Utah 0

Q2 11:06-  Texas Tech 7, Utah 0

TT's Behren Morton intercepted by Utah's Jackson Bennee in the end zone. Stepping in front of the receiver with great coverage. 

END OF FIRST QUARTER 

Texas Tech 7, Utah 0

Q1- 1:18 Texas Tech 7, Utah 0

Wayshawn Parker fumbles at TT 48-yard line, recovered by A.J. Holmes Jr.

Q1 3:49- Texas Tech 7, Utah 0

Behren Morton pass picked off by Blake Cotton, setting the Utes up with a good opportunity to get on the scoreboard.

Q1 4:02- Texas Tech 7, Utah 0

Devon Dampier fumbled, recovered by TT's John Curry.

Q1 6:00- Texas Tech 7, Utah 0

Tech Tech stalls with Utah's defense turning up the heat, forcing a punt.

Q1 7:40 - Texas Tech 7, Utah 0

NaQuari Rogers stuffed at Utah's 46-yard line Utah turns the ball over on downs. 

Q1 10:15 - Texas Tech 7, Utah 0

SCORE ALERT: TT's Cameron Dickey run for 1-yard for a touchdown

Q1 13:11- No score

After the Utes punt, Texas Tech converts on a huge third down with a Behren Morton pass complete to J'Koby Williams for 73 yards to the Utah 12-yard line. Red zone try for the Red Raiders. 

LIVE updates: Follow along with all the action as Utah battles Texas Tech in Week 4 *All times Eastern

No. 16 Utah hosts No. 17 Texas Tech on Saturday in an early marquee Big 12 matchup. Both teams have rolled through the first three weeks of the season undefeated and look for the upper hand. 

Texas Tech is looking to get to 4-0 for the first time since 2013. Quarterback Behren Morton is off to a scorching start. He's tied for the lead in college football with 11 touchdowns this season. The Red Raiders rank second nationally in explosive play rate, trailing only USC. But Morton has yet to face an elite defense like Utah, which is allowing just 224 total yards per game and hasn’t given up more than 10 points in a contest. Morton and his receivers will need to be at their best against a Utes secondary that allows just 134 passing yards per game.

Utah wants to reestablish Rice-Eccles Stadium as one of the toughest venues in the country after going winless at home in Big 12 play last season. With College Football Playoff aspirations in play for both programs, this showdown is about national recognition as it is about the Big 12 title race.

Few storylines have been bigger in Salt Lake City than the arrival of new quarterback Devon Dampier and offensive coordinator Jason Beck. Through three games, Dampier has been nearly flawless by completing 73% of his passes with 628 yards and accounting for eight total touchdowns. He’s orchestrated an offense averaging 45.7 points per game, and Utah’s offensive line remains among the best in the country at both protecting the passer and finishing drives.

Needless to say, the transition for Beck and Dampier from New Mexico has been successful. However, this will be the biggest test for both the Utes coordinator and quarterback. 

Utah has been a dominant home team under Whittingham, boasting a 93-30 record at Rice-Eccles since 2005. Still, last season’s 0-4 mark at home in Big 12 play was a black eye. On the other hand, Texas Tech has thrived in the opening weeks but has yet to play outside of Lubbock in 2025.

Jeff Hauser

Jeff Hauser is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He has over twenty years of experience and is a two-time Emmy Award winner, Heisman Trophy and Biletnikoff Award voter. Among the events he has covered are the Super Bowl, College Football Playoff, World Series, World Cup, and WBC Boxing. Hauser is a regular guest on FOX Sports and ESPN Radio. He previously wrote for Sports Illustrated, SB Nation and Athlon Sports.