Texas Tech backup quarterback Will Hammond will make his first career start Saturday when the No. 7 Red Raiders face Arizona State in Tempe on Saturday. One of the biggest games of the Big 12 season with the top-ranked team against the defending conference champions.
Hammond replaces Behren Morton, who exited last week’s win over Kansas in the second quarter with a lower leg injury. Morton did not practice this week and was ruled out. He watched the remainder of the game from the sideline. Morton will be available as an emergency option, according to ESPN's Pete Thamel.
Hammond has appeared in all six games for the Red Raiders this season, stepping in for an injured Morton three times. He’s thrown for 411 yards and four touchdowns while completing 66.7% of his passes. On the ground, the dual-threat has added 231 yards and four rushing scores. He shined on the road against Utah, going 13-of-16 for 169 yards and two touchdowns, while rushing for 61 more.
Morton has been efficient when healthy, leading the Big 12 in yards per attempt and throwing 13 touchdowns to just three interceptions.
Texas Tech also lost standout defensive lineman Skyler Gill-Howard for the season. The top defender could return for postseason play, but there is no timetable for return.
The Red Raiders meet the Sun Devils at 4 p.m. ET Saturday on FOX.
More college football news:
- Deion Sanders buyout, contract details as Colorado Buffaloes coach
- Four coaches on the hottest seats in the 2025 college football season
- Was Adidas behind James Franklin's firing? Penn State breaks silence on rumor
- Bill Belichick and UNC didn't want a quarterback who's now tearing up the ACC
- Tim Tebow sends clear message to Texas Longhorns about Arch Manning