Hammond in for Texas Tech after Behren Morton injured as Red Raiders struggle vs Utah

Well, the bad news keeps piling up for the Texas Tech offense. Red Raider offensive coordinator Mack Leftwich is going to need to be pretty creative as he’ll now need to rely on backup quarterback Will Hammond to lead Tech on the road against the swarming and imposing Utah Utes defense.

Texas Tech is relying on Hammond after Red Raider starting quarterback Behren Morton was dinged up by a couple of hard hits against the Utes. 

Hammond is in a tough position. He’s not really gotten much playing time so far this season (even though he’s been able to get in for a few of the blowouts the Red Raiders have been in), but he definitely hasn’t been prepped to play against Utah’s defense the way Morton was.

Texas Tech quarterback Behren Morton out after hard hit on the road vs. Utah Utes

Here’s the hit that Morton took in the third quarter that ultimately sent him to the locker room.

And following that hard hit in the third quarter, the Red Raiders are having to play without him now.

And unfortunately, not much is really going right for the Red Raiders on offense anyway. There was one solid drive early on against Utah. Ever since then, the Utes have forced turnovers and ended drives (and the Red Raiders have had penalty problems.

So now, Texas Tech is looking to a young quarterback who hasn’t started much throughout his career to take control of the offense while on the road against one of the most physical and imposing defenses in the country.

That’s a tough situation for Hammond to be in. It’s a tough situation for the Red Raiders to be in. And we’ll see how this plays out. Thankfully, Texas Tech’s defense has played well in this game. If that continues, and Hammond can avoid making mistakes, the Red Raiders will have a shot at coming away with a win here.