Texas Tech Stomps Arizona State to Remain Perfect

LUBBOCK, TX — No. 10 Texas Tech remained undefeated Saturday, defeating Arizona State 53-25 at Galaxy Stadium behind a strong first-half offensive performance and another defensive touchdown.

The Red Raiders improved to 6-0 overall and 3-0 in Big 12 Conference play, marking the second consecutive season Texas Tech has opened with six straight victories.

Texas Tech is one of two FBS programs, along with Indiana, to begin both the 2025 and 2026 seasons with a 6-0 record.

The victory marked the eighth 6-0 start in program history, joining the 1938, 1976, 1998, 2005, 2008, 2013 and 2025 seasons.

Texas Tech also extended its home winning streak to 12 games, matching the second-longest streak in school history. The Red Raiders have not lost at Galaxy Stadium since Nov. 9, 2024, against Colorado.

Head coach Joey McGuire improved to 26-5 in home games, an 83.9% winning percentage.

The Red Raiders have now started Big 12 play 3-0 in three consecutive seasons under McGuire, marking the seventh time in program history they have accomplished the feat.

Texas Tech jumped to a 21-7 lead in the first quarter and continued its offensive production throughout the opening half.

The Red Raiders accumulated 404 yards of total offense in the first two quarters, their most first-half yardage since 2016.

It marked the sixth time since 2012 that Texas Tech recorded at least 400 yards of offense in the opening half.

Texas Tech scored 43 first-half points, its most since scoring 48 against Kent State on Sept. 6, 2025. It was also the most points the Red Raiders have scored in the first half of a Big 12 game since putting up 49 against Baylor on Oct. 27, 2001.

Quarterback Will Hammond completed the game with 232 passing yards, one touchdown and no interceptions.

It marked Hammond's second consecutive game without an interception. His last interception came in the first half against Sam Houston on Sept. 26.

Hammond also scored on a 9-yard touchdown run with 5:12 remaining in the first quarter, recording his second rushing touchdown of the season and ninth of his career.

The victory improved Hammond's career record as a starting quarterback to 7-2. Arizona State had handed him his only loss in two starts during the 2025 season.

Running back J'Koby Williams led Texas Tech's rushing attack with a career-high 165 yards on 11 carries, averaging 15 yards per attempt.

Williams broke free for a 62-yard touchdown run on the first play of Texas Tech's third possession, recording the longest rush by a Red Raider this season and the longest of his career.

He finished the first half with 141 yards on nine carries, surpassing his previous single-game career high of 135 yards against Kansas State in 2025 before halftime.

Wide receiver Kenny Johnson also recorded a career performance, finishing with seven receptions for 120 yards.

Johnson caught six passes for 113 yards in the first half and surpassed his previous career high of 115 receiving yards, set while playing for Pittsburgh against Boston College in 2025.

Terrance Carter Jr. added his first career rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter, scoring from 1 yard out while lined up at quarterback in the wildcat formation.

Texas Tech's defense also played a major role in the victory, recording six sacks and nine tackles for loss.

The six sacks were the most by the Red Raiders since recording nine against Kansas in 2025.

Linebacker Ben Roberts opened the scoring with a 24-yard interception return for a touchdown with 7:48 remaining in the first quarter.

It was Roberts' first interception of the season, sixth of his career and first career touchdown.

Roberts followed with a tackle for a 1-yard loss on fourth-and-1 during Arizona State's next possession, forcing a turnover on downs.

Texas Tech took possession at the Arizona State 33-yard line and scored two plays later on Hammond's rushing touchdown, extending its lead to 14-0.

The defensive touchdown was Texas Tech's fourth of the season and 10th since 2024.

Roberts' interception return also marked the Red Raiders' fourth pick-six of the season, the most by a Big 12 program since Oklahoma recorded four in 2023.

He joined Austin Romaine, who has returned two interceptions for touchdowns this season, and John Curry, who has also recorded a pick-six.

Texas Tech limited Arizona State's Reed Harris, who entered the game ranked fourth nationally with 11 explosive plays, to zero explosive plays.

All three Arizona State touchdowns came through the air, allowing Texas Tech to remain the only FBS program that has not surrendered a rushing touchdown this season.

The Red Raiders entered the game tied for second nationally with three defensive touchdowns.

Texas Tech also continued its offensive consistency, remaining one of four FBS teams to score at least 28 points in every game this season.

The Red Raiders have scored at least 22 points in 22 consecutive games against conference opponents, the longest active streak in the FBS.

On special teams, kicker Stone Harrington connected on four of five field goal attempts.

Harrington made kicks from 31, 42 and 37 yards in the second quarter before adding a 34-yard field goal in the fourth. His lone miss came on a 36-yard attempt in the final quarter.

It was the fourth time in Harrington's career he made at least four field goals in a game.

He became the fifth kicker in Big 12 history to record four or more games with at least four made field goals, joining Alex Henery of Nebraska, Mason Crosby of Colorado, Jaden Oberkrom of TCU and Gabe Brkic of Oklahoma.

Punter Will Karoll did not attempt his first punt until the third quarter, when he delivered a 65-yard kick that Bryson Jones downed at the Arizona State 1-yard line.

It was Karoll's fifth punt of at least 60 yards this season and fell two yards short of his season high.

The victory gave Texas Tech a 4-3 advantage in the all-time series against Arizona State. The teams have met in three consecutive seasons, with the home team winning each matchup since the Sun Devils joined the Big 12.

Saturday's game drew a sellout crowd of 60,229.

Texas Tech will have an opportunity to match the longest home winning streak in program history when it hosts Arizona on Oct. 31. The school record was established during the 1939-42 seasons.